Wednesday, June 24, 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

Roughly 9,000 Still Without Power After Snowstorm Pummels Manitoba

WINNIPEG - Some 9,000 Manitoba homes and businesses are still without power after last week's heavy snow storm — down 4,000 from yesterday.    

Roughly 9,000 Still Without Power After Snowstorm Pummels Manitoba

Kamloops Woman Who Set Her Children On Fire, Killing One, Granted Full Parole

Kamloops Woman Who Set Her Children On Fire, Killing One, Granted Full Parole
A woman who set her two children on fire 22 years ago, killing one of them, has been granted full parole.

Kamloops Woman Who Set Her Children On Fire, Killing One, Granted Full Parole

Security Threats To Justin Trudeau ‘Troubling’ Sign: Jagmeet Singh

Security Threats To Justin Trudeau ‘Troubling’ Sign: Jagmeet Singh
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that he planned to continue election campaigning as normal, after wearing a bulletproof vest to a political event.

Security Threats To Justin Trudeau ‘Troubling’ Sign: Jagmeet Singh

Police Warn Of High-Risk Sex Offender Expected To Live In Vancouver

Vancouver Police are warning the public about Trevor Leonard Smith, a high-risk sex offender who has been re-released from jail and plans to live in Vancouver.

Police Warn Of High-Risk Sex Offender Expected To Live In Vancouver

Alberta Joining Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

CALGARY - The Alberta government says it's joining a class-action lawsuit to recoup health-care costs related to the opioid crisis.

Alberta Joining Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

Crown Appealing Verdict In Toddler Meningitis Case

The Crown is appealing the not guilty verdict in the case of an Alberta couple charged with not seeking medical help sooner for their sick toddler son.

Crown Appealing Verdict In Toddler Meningitis Case