Wednesday, July 1, 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

Timeline: The Wrongful Murder Conviction Of Glen Assoun Of Halifax

Timeline: The Wrongful Murder Conviction Of Glen Assoun Of Halifax
 Nov. 12, 1995: Brenda Way — known as "Pitt Bull" — was murdered and her body left in a parking lot behind a Dartmouth apartment building sometime in the early morning hours.

Timeline: The Wrongful Murder Conviction Of Glen Assoun Of Halifax

Trudeau Visits Alberta Pipeline Site, Says National Unity Is Not Under Threat

Trudeau Visits Alberta Pipeline Site, Says National Unity Is Not Under Threat
EDMONTON - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dismissing claims by conservative politicians that national unity is under threat.

Trudeau Visits Alberta Pipeline Site, Says National Unity Is Not Under Threat

'I Saw A Trailer That Was All Twisted': Tornado Tosses Quebec Campground

'I Saw A Trailer That Was All Twisted': Tornado Tosses Quebec Campground
"When I drove through, I saw a trailer that was all twisted, up in the air," said Andre Parent, a Montrealer who lives at the Camping Horizon campground in summer.

'I Saw A Trailer That Was All Twisted': Tornado Tosses Quebec Campground

Search On For Prominent Businessman, Son After Helicopter Goes Missing In Quebec

Search On For Prominent Businessman, Son After Helicopter Goes Missing In Quebec
A search is under way for a prominent Quebec businessman and his son, who did not return from a fishing trip in northern Quebec as planned.

Search On For Prominent Businessman, Son After Helicopter Goes Missing In Quebec

New Immigration Pilot Will Offer Residency To Some Migrant Farm-workers

A new three-year immigration experiment that will give migrant workers a path to permanent residency in Canada is getting a thumbs-up from industry but a thumbs-down from migrant rights groups.

New Immigration Pilot Will Offer Residency To Some Migrant Farm-workers

Veterans Activist Gets Ok To Press $25K Libel Suit Against Liberal Minister

In its decision, the Court of Appeal ordered the $25,000 libel suit Sean Bruyea brought against Seamus O'Regan back to small claims court for trial.

Veterans Activist Gets Ok To Press $25K Libel Suit Against Liberal Minister