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

More Than 5,000 Coast Mountain Bus Workers Approve Strike Mandate

More Than 5,000 Coast Mountain Bus Workers Approve Strike Mandate
VANCOUVER - Unifor says more than 5,000 Metro Vancouver transit operators at the Coast Mountain Bus Co. have voted in favour of a strike mandate.    

More Than 5,000 Coast Mountain Bus Workers Approve Strike Mandate

Toronto Syrian Restaurant That Closed Due To Threats Reopens

TORONTO - A popular Syrian restaurant in Toronto reopened Friday amid messages of support and media attention, just days after its owners said a flood of threats had forced them to close.

Toronto Syrian Restaurant That Closed Due To Threats Reopens

Pipeline Politics Loom Large In Final Scheduled Federal Leaders' Debate

The spirited two-hour contest marked a milestone for the federal election: it's the final time the six federal party leaders faced Canadians before advance polls open Friday

Pipeline Politics Loom Large In Final Scheduled Federal Leaders' Debate

Politicians In Yukon Vote Unanimously To Declare Climate Emergency

Politicians In Yukon Vote Unanimously To Declare Climate Emergency
WHITEHORSE - Members of Yukon's legislature have voted to declare a climate emergency.    

Politicians In Yukon Vote Unanimously To Declare Climate Emergency

Unemployment Rate Down After Country Adds 54,000 Jobs In September, Statcan Says

Unemployment Rate Down After Country Adds 54,000 Jobs In September, Statcan Says
Statistics Canada's monthly labour force survey showed the country added about 54,000 net new jobs in September, driven largely by gains in full-time work, and dropping the jobless rate nationally by 0.2 points to 5.5 per cent.    

Unemployment Rate Down After Country Adds 54,000 Jobs In September, Statcan Says

After 582 Days, Canadian Woman Detained In Iran After Husband's Death Reunites With Sons In Vancouver

OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is confirming that a dual Iranian-Canadian citizen who has been denied permission to leave Iran is now safe at home in Canada.

After 582 Days, Canadian Woman Detained In Iran After Husband's Death Reunites With Sons In Vancouver