Wednesday, July 8, 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

Canadian Firm WSP Finding New Work In Saudi Arabia Despite Diplomatic Dispute

OTTAWA — At least one Canadian-based company is optimistic about its prospects in Saudi Arabia, a bullishness that comes as businesses fret about their future in the kingdom following a diplomatic battle with Ottawa.

Canadian Firm WSP Finding New Work In Saudi Arabia Despite Diplomatic Dispute

Conservatives Seek Criminal Investigation Of PM's Trips To Aga Khan's Island

Conservatives Seek Criminal Investigation Of PM's Trips To Aga Khan's Island
OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives want the RCMP to look into whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke the law by accepting family vacations on the Aga Khan's private Caribbean island.

Conservatives Seek Criminal Investigation Of PM's Trips To Aga Khan's Island

Ex-Obama Envoy Heyman Details 'Ice Age' With Harper Over Keystone Pipeline

Ex-Obama Envoy Heyman Details 'Ice Age' With Harper Over Keystone Pipeline
Barack Obama's former envoy to Ottawa has pulled back the veil on how the previous Conservative government of Stephen Harper froze him out over the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

Ex-Obama Envoy Heyman Details 'Ice Age' With Harper Over Keystone Pipeline

24-Year-Old Quebec Man Pleads Guilty To Killing 18-Year-Old Ex-Girlfriend

A Quebec man accused of ambushing and killing his ex-girlfriend pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder and will serve an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 18 years.

24-Year-Old Quebec Man Pleads Guilty To Killing 18-Year-Old Ex-Girlfriend

Alberta Man Wins Appeal After Accidentally Shooting Girlfriend During Sex

Alberta Man Wins Appeal After Accidentally Shooting Girlfriend During Sex
EDMONTON — An Alberta man has won an appeal to serve his sentence in the community after he accidentally shot and injured his girlfriend during sex.

Alberta Man Wins Appeal After Accidentally Shooting Girlfriend During Sex

Alberta Premier Kenney Cleared After Questions Raised About MP Housing Expenses

The Board of Internal Economy has found that Kenney did nothing wrong based on housing rules in place at the time.

Alberta Premier Kenney Cleared After Questions Raised About MP Housing Expenses