Sunday, June 21, 2026
ADVT 
National

Leave regulators to approve COVID tests: Freeland

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2020 08:27 PM
  • Leave regulators to approve COVID tests: Freeland

Health Canada says it can't provide any information about the status of any of the rapid-testing devices for COVID-19 it is reviewing.

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to approve tests that can provide faster results as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada struggle to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 testing.

Deputy Conservative leader Candice Bergen says the government promised in March that getting rapid tests was a priority and yet half a year later, there are still none in use in Canada.

At least 14 such devices are under review by Health Canada but the department's spokesman says he cannot comment on the status of the applications during the scientific assessment process.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says it would be wrong for politicians to put pressure on Health Canada to approve any of the devices.

Several other countries have had some of the faster tests in use for months now, including Japan and the United States, but Health Minister Patty Hajdu said last week Canada is not yet convinced the technology is good enough.

MORE National ARTICLES

Venezuela's Decline Poses Challenges For Liberal Minority Government

Venezuela's Decline Poses Challenges For Liberal Minority Government
OTTAWA - The ripples from Venezuela's collapse are shifting Canada's Western Hemisphere neighbourhood, creating major long-term costs for the new Liberal minority government.

Venezuela's Decline Poses Challenges For Liberal Minority Government

Letting Ski Resort Sell Mountain Water From Park Is Risky, Say Environmentalists

Letting Ski Resort Sell Mountain Water From Park Is Risky, Say Environmentalists
EDMONTON - An environmental group says Alberta's decision to allow a ski hill in a provincial park to sell water it's not using and have it trucked away sets a bad precedent.    

Letting Ski Resort Sell Mountain Water From Park Is Risky, Say Environmentalists

Charge Dropped Against Raptors Fan Who Made Vulgar Comment About Ayesha Curry

A Toronto Raptors fan who made a vulgar comment on live television about Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA star Stephen Curry, has had his charge withdrawn.

Charge Dropped Against Raptors Fan Who Made Vulgar Comment About Ayesha Curry

Mob Attack In Surrey: Man Beaten, Cars Vandalized, RCMP Investigating - WATCH VIDEO

Video Begins With A Mob Of People Running Toward The Parking Lot Of The Kwantlen Plaza Strip Mall, Located On 128 Street. The Men Can Then Be Seen Wailing On A Number Of Fleeing Cars, And Swarming A Driver Who Steps Out Of His Vehicle.

Mob Attack In Surrey: Man Beaten, Cars Vandalized, RCMP Investigating - WATCH VIDEO

Metro Vancouver Transit Dispute: Job Action Escalates, Overtime Ban By Bus Drivers Begins

Escalating job action was expected across Metro Vancouver on Friday as Unifor bus drivers planned to stage a one-day overtime ban.    

Metro Vancouver Transit Dispute: Job Action Escalates, Overtime Ban By Bus Drivers Begins

N.B. Moves Toward Privatization Of Cannabis Sales Following Losses In First Year

Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says today that after a careful analysis, the government concluded the best approach was to turn to the private sector.

N.B. Moves Toward Privatization Of Cannabis Sales Following Losses In First Year