Sunday, June 28, 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

Two Men Arrested Following South Surrey Stabbing Tuesday

Surrey RCMP is advising the public of a fight involving a weapon and the subsequent arrest of two individuals, that occurred this morning in South Surrey.

Two Men Arrested Following South Surrey Stabbing Tuesday

Team Canada Wins 2019 Honda Celebration Of Light

Team Canada Wins 2019 Honda Celebration Of Light
Team Canada represented by Firemaster Productions Inc. has won the 2019 Honda Celebration of Light, after the world’s longest running offshore fireworks competition came to a spectacular close on Saturday evening.  

Team Canada Wins 2019 Honda Celebration Of Light

7 Injured In Toronto Nightclub Shooting

7 Injured In Toronto Nightclub Shooting
At least seven people were injured following a shooting at a nightclub in the Canadian city of Toronto, police said, adding that one of the wounded was in critical condition.

7 Injured In Toronto Nightclub Shooting

Turtle Lays Eggs In N.S. Golf Course Bunker

HALIFAX - For the second year in a row, a central Nova Scotia golf course is home to an unusual hazard after a resident snapping turtle laid eggs in a bunker.

Turtle Lays Eggs In N.S. Golf Course Bunker

Sewage Stink Plaguing Scenic N.S. Tourist Town Cleared With New Biofilter

HALIFAX - One of Nova Scotia's most scenic tourist towns appears to have rid itself of a nasty smell that would often drive residents indoors during the summer.

Sewage Stink Plaguing Scenic N.S. Tourist Town Cleared With New Biofilter

Kenney Takes Aim At Trudeau Directly Ahead Of Fall Federal Election

OTTAWA - Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is taking aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of this fall's federal election.    

Kenney Takes Aim At Trudeau Directly Ahead Of Fall Federal Election