Wednesday, December 24, 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

Fire crews prepare for difficult day in B.C.

Fire crews prepare for difficult day in B.C.
Firefighters in British Columbia's southern Okanagan are bracing for a change in wind and weather that has the potential to drive a huge wildfire north toward the outskirts of Penticton.

Fire crews prepare for difficult day in B.C.

A look at B.C.'s wildfire history

A look at B.C.'s wildfire history
British Columbia declared a state of emergency in both 2017 and 2018 during two record-setting years for wildfires.

A look at B.C.'s wildfire history

Pandemic sinks BC Ferries revenues

Pandemic sinks BC Ferries revenues
BC Ferries says the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in first quarter losses of $62 million, compared with net earnings of $12.2 million in the same period last year.

Pandemic sinks BC Ferries revenues

16 year old arrested in connection with a string of robberies in Surrey

16 year old arrested in connection with a string of robberies in Surrey
The Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit has arrested a 16-year-old youth for a string of robberies that allegedly involved the use of the online marketplace app, Letgo.

16 year old arrested in connection with a string of robberies in Surrey

Woman urges church to drop abuse case appeal

Woman urges church to drop abuse case appeal
An Ontario woman who was sexually abused by a priest as a child says the Roman Catholic church is turning to Canada's top court in an effort to further delay a decades-long legal battle.

Woman urges church to drop abuse case appeal

Feds, Ontario reach mask deal with 3M

Feds, Ontario reach mask deal with 3M
The federal and Ontario governments have secured an agreement with 3M that will see the company produce N95 masks at a facility in Brockville, Ont., a spokesman for the province's minister of economic development confirmed Thursday.

Feds, Ontario reach mask deal with 3M