Thursday, July 2, 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

SNC-Lavalin Opts For Corruption Trial Before Judge Alone

SNC-Lavalin Opts For Corruption Trial Before Judge Alone
Lawyers representing SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. have opted for trial by judge alone in a corruption case that has loomed over the Montreal-based engineering giant.    

SNC-Lavalin Opts For Corruption Trial Before Judge Alone

'An Awesome Feeling': Paralyzed Humboldt Broncos Player Ryan Straschnitzki Inks Deal With Adidas

AIRDRIE, Alta. — A Humboldt Broncos hockey player who was paralyzed in a deadly bus crash last year has signed a multi-year contract with Adidas.

'An Awesome Feeling': Paralyzed Humboldt Broncos Player Ryan Straschnitzki Inks Deal With Adidas

B.C. Adds $1.46 Million To Offset Costs For Athletes At 2020 Indigenous Games

B.C. Adds $1.46 Million To Offset Costs For Athletes At 2020 Indigenous Games
VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan shot some hoops in the basketball court at the Songhees Wellness Centre shortly after talking about the power of sports to improve lives and build nations.    

B.C. Adds $1.46 Million To Offset Costs For Athletes At 2020 Indigenous Games

Toronto Defends How Sick Baby Was Helped At Raptors Parade, Infant Later Died

Toronto Defends How Sick Baby Was Helped At Raptors Parade, Infant Later Died
TORONTO — The City of Toronto is defending how police and paramedics dealt with a sick baby in the massive crowd that turned out for the Raptors NBA championship victory parade earlier this month.

Toronto Defends How Sick Baby Was Helped At Raptors Parade, Infant Later Died

Canada Has 'Broad International Coalition' Of Support On China File: Freeland

Freeland, who spoke to reporters alongside her cabinet colleague Finance Minister Bill Morneau, said China has been hearing about the detention of two Canadians from a range of countries, adding that efforts continue here at the summit.

Canada Has 'Broad International Coalition' Of Support On China File: Freeland

Supreme Court To Rule On Use Of Sexual History In Edmonton Assault Trial

Supreme Court To Rule On Use Of Sexual History In Edmonton Assault Trial
OTTAWA — A Supreme Court decision due this morning could clarify the law on how much of the history between a complainant and a person accused in a sexual-assault case can be brought into court.    

Supreme Court To Rule On Use Of Sexual History In Edmonton Assault Trial