Monday, July 6, 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

Dozens Of Drug Charges Linked To Gang Conflict In B.C.'s Lower Mainland: Surrey RCMP

Between April and August of last year, Mounties say their officers worked with the Vancouver Police Department looking into a drug trafficking network in Surrey and Langley.

Dozens Of Drug Charges Linked To Gang Conflict In B.C.'s Lower Mainland: Surrey RCMP

RCMP Say One Person Dead, Two Hospitalized After Collision In Coquitlam, B.C.

RCMP Say One Person Dead, Two Hospitalized After Collision In Coquitlam, B.C.
RCMP say officers responded to a collision involving an SUV and a Dodge Durango around 7:20 p.m.    

RCMP Say One Person Dead, Two Hospitalized After Collision In Coquitlam, B.C.

Court To Rule If B.C. Can Limit Bitumen In Key Case For Trans Mountain Pipeline

The province filed a reference question to the B.C. Court of Appeal that asked whether it had the constitutional authority to create a permitting regime for companies that want to increase their flow of oilsands crude.

Court To Rule If B.C. Can Limit Bitumen In Key Case For Trans Mountain Pipeline

Spring Rain Needed In B.C., As Low Snowpack And Drought Readings Raise Concern

Spring Rain Needed In B.C., As Low Snowpack And Drought Readings Raise Concern
Snowpack levels in B.C. recorded on May 15 were similar to those in 2015 and 2016 and the B.C. River Forecast Centre says they are among the lowest in the last 40 years.

Spring Rain Needed In B.C., As Low Snowpack And Drought Readings Raise Concern

B.C. Premier Hints At Twin-Tunnel Plan For Metro Vancouver's Massey Tunnel

SURREY, B.C. — Premier John Horgan says a twin-tunnel proposal for a major Metro Vancouver traffic bottleneck will get serious consideration from his government.    

B.C. Premier Hints At Twin-Tunnel Plan For Metro Vancouver's Massey Tunnel

Canada Seeing Spike In Temporary Visas As Migrant Worker Advocates Raise Alarm

Federal officials say the surge is due in part to an increase in international tourists to Canada.

Canada Seeing Spike In Temporary Visas As Migrant Worker Advocates Raise Alarm