Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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

Deadly motorcyle crash in Langley

Deadly motorcyle crash in Langley
Police were called shortly before 10:00 his morning to attend the collision that is believed to have occurred earlier in the morning.

Deadly motorcyle crash in Langley

Richmond RCMP are looking for witnesses of unprovoked attack on Autistic teen

Richmond RCMP are looking for witnesses of unprovoked attack on Autistic teen
At approximately 7:00 pm on August 21, 2020 an autistic teen was playing basketball with a group of people when he was allegedly assaulted.

Richmond RCMP are looking for witnesses of unprovoked attack on Autistic teen

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court
A former elementary school teacher who says she was sexually assaulted by a Roman Catholic priest more than 40 years ago in Kamloops, B.C., has been awarded nearly $850,000 in damages by a judge.

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans
Two fathers have filed an injunction application demanding the British Columbia government implement tougher safety measures aimed at protecting students from the risks of COVID-19 before schools reopen.

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada
WATCH- NHL takes heat on social media and from critics for not responding earlier to the anti-racism rhetoric in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. No vaccine for Canada from China. 

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms
A report recommends cutting the number of regulatory colleges governing health professionals in British Columbia from 20 to six to improve public protection.

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms