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

Thousands of docs on WE Charity affair released

Thousands of docs on WE Charity affair released
Thousands of pages of newly released documents back up the Trudeau government's contention that it was federal public servants who recommended a student service grant program be administered by WE Charity.

Thousands of docs on WE Charity affair released

N.S. RCMP continue search for missing teen

N.S. RCMP continue search for missing teen
Nova Scotia RCMP are releasing new information in the hopes of finding a 14-year-old Cape Breton girl who has not been seen since last Thursday.

N.S. RCMP continue search for missing teen

Extreme heat study a warning for Canada

Extreme heat study a warning for Canada
A Canadian co-author of research that finds extreme heat risks from climate change in U.S. cities are much higher than previously thought says the study is also a warning for Canada.

Extreme heat study a warning for Canada

Andrew Furey sworn in as N.L. premier

Andrew Furey sworn in as N.L. premier
Andrew Furey has been sworn in as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Andrew Furey sworn in as N.L. premier

Cape Breton man wins lottery for second time

Cape Breton man wins lottery for second time
Raymond Lillington stared at his lottery ticket in disbelief following last Saturday's Lotto 649 draw, thinking he couldn't have won a jackpot worth several million dollars — again.

Cape Breton man wins lottery for second time

Quebec man gets life for killing unborn child

Quebec man gets life for killing unborn child
A Montreal man who pleaded guilty to stabbing his unborn baby to death will spend at least 15 years in prison before he's eligible for parole.

Quebec man gets life for killing unborn child