Tuesday, July 7, 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

Five Hurt, Driver Charged After Fuel Truck Strikes Plane At Pearson Airport

Five Hurt, Driver Charged After Fuel Truck Strikes Plane At Pearson Airport
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Five people were taken to hospital with minor injuries and a fuel truck driver was charged after a truck hit a plane on the tarmac at Toronto Pearson airport early Friday morning.    

Five Hurt, Driver Charged After Fuel Truck Strikes Plane At Pearson Airport

B.C. Heat Wave Sets 15 Temperature Records Thursday; More Set To Fall

B.C. Heat Wave Sets 15 Temperature Records Thursday; More Set To Fall
Fifteen temperature records were broken in British Columbia Thursday and several more could fall Friday as a heat wave settles across the province.

B.C. Heat Wave Sets 15 Temperature Records Thursday; More Set To Fall

B.C. Boosts Public Education, Enforcement For Renters And Landlords

B.C. Boosts Public Education, Enforcement For Renters And Landlords
British Columbia's government says it's increasing public education and bolstering enforcement to better protect the rights of both renters and landlords.

B.C. Boosts Public Education, Enforcement For Renters And Landlords

Wildlife Advocate Questions Decision To Kill Pigeons Pooping On Saskatoon Bridge

SASKATOON — Crews tasked with cleaning a Saskatchewan bridge are in for a dirty job.

Wildlife Advocate Questions Decision To Kill Pigeons Pooping On Saskatoon Bridge

'There Was Justice:' Winnipeg Man Guilty Of Murdering Indigenous Woman

'There Was Justice:' Winnipeg Man Guilty Of Murdering Indigenous Woman
WINNIPEG — The family of an Indigenous woman whose death prosecutors described as worse than any horror movie says there is finally justice now that her killer has been found guilty.    

'There Was Justice:' Winnipeg Man Guilty Of Murdering Indigenous Woman

U.S., European Diplomats Support Canada In Chinese Court In Death-Penalty Appeal

The show of solidarity did not diminish Canadian worries over the fate of Robert Schellenberg of British Columbia.

U.S., European Diplomats Support Canada In Chinese Court In Death-Penalty Appeal