Saturday, July 4, 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

Ottawa pledges to spend $15 million to restore Ontario's tree-planting program

Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government cancelled the 50 million trees program amid various other budget cuts.

Ottawa pledges to spend $15 million to restore Ontario's tree-planting program

Man who killed Calgary Stampeder must serve 18 years before applying for parole

Nelson Lugela was found guilty earlier this year of second-degree murder in the death of Mylan Hicks.

Man who killed Calgary Stampeder must serve 18 years before applying for parole

Judge gives prison time to Calgary couple in toddler's infection death

A jury found the Calgary couple guilty last fall of criminal negligence causing death and failure to provide the necessaries of life.

Judge gives prison time to Calgary couple in toddler's infection death

Canada's emergency alert system can't measure how many phones get the notices

The most recent test of the warning system in early May was determined to be a success.

Canada's emergency alert system can't measure how many phones get the notices

Senate committee says oil tanker ban off B.C. targets Alberta, divides country

The committee says it's driven by the calculation that the ruling Liberals have few seats to lose in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Senate committee says oil tanker ban off B.C. targets Alberta, divides country

Improving Canada's recycling output will take 'radical changes': report

By comparison, there were fewer than a dozen recycling companies, employing about 500 people and generating about $350 million in revenue.

Improving Canada's recycling output will take 'radical changes': report