Skip to Main content

24.81°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 17, 2020 9:23 PM -

Federal government causing a COVID-19 disaster by not quickly approving rapid testing methods: Erin O'Toole

Share On

federal-government-causing-a-covid-19-disaster-by-not-quickly-approving-rapid-testing-methods-erin-otoole

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, left, and Quebec Premier Francois Legault get set to start their meeting in Montreal, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the federal government is causing a COVID-19 disaster by not moving more quickly to approve rapid testing methods that are already in use in other countries.

O'Toole and his family were tested this morning for COVID-19 through a program for MPs, after waiting for several hours to be tested in Ottawa Wednesday and having to give up.

O'Toole, his wife Rebecca and their children Mollie and Jack are all in isolation after an O'Toole staff member he was travelling with tested positive for COVID-19 this week.

Demand for COVID-19 testing has skyrocketed this week as kids returned to school and in Ottawa some people are waiting up to six hours for testing, if they can get in at all.

O'Toole says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has to explain why Health Canada still has not approved rapid testing devices seven months into the pandemic, when many other countries, including the United States, have deemed them safe and effective.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Wednesday that Ottawa is reviewing applications for rapid testing devices but will not approve them until they meet Canada's standards for accuracy.

Latest news

u-s-trade-representative-expects-interim-cusma-options-by-year-end

CanadaJul 22, 2026

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

The Trump administration expects to present interim options for the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) before the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate committee in Washington. According to Greer, the proposals would take the form of interim arrangements with Canada and Mexico after the United States decided earlier this month not to continue CUSMA in its current form. As a result, the agreement will now be subject to an annual review process. Greer's comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald

16-arrested-as-kamloops-rcmp-seize-weapons-loaded-shotgun-and-more-than-one-kilogram-of-drugs

16 Arrested as Kamloops RCMP Seize Weapons, Loaded Shotgun and More Than One Kilogram of Drugs

Kamloops RCMP's Proactive Enforcement Team arrested 16 people and seized a large quantity of weapons, drugs and other illegal items during a two-day targeted enforcement operation conducted on July 3 and 4. According to an RCMP news release, officers focused on identified crime hotspots and individuals already known to police through intelligence-led enforcement efforts. During the operation, police seized 16 prohibited or dangerous weapons, including bear spray, brass knuckles, batons, knives and an axe. Officers also recovered a replica firearm and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Superintendent P

IndiaJul 22, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk says he will end hunger strike if government assures no action against student protesters

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he is prepared to end his 24-day hunger strike over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak if the central government provides a written assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against students who participated in the examination reform movement. According to a letter issued by Wangchuk, the assurance would protect student protesters involved in demonstrations demanding reforms to the examination system following the NEET-UG controversy. Wangchuk said Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him on Tuesday night a

congo-ebola-outbreak-death-toll-reaches-999-health-ministry-reports

WorldJul 22, 2026

Congo Ebola outbreak death toll reaches 999, health ministry reports

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed 999 lives, according to official figures released overnight into Wednesday by the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said that, as of Sunday, 2,473 Ebola cases had been recorded since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Officials reported that 999 people had died from the disease. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. Officials have said the outbreak has become the fastest-growing Ebo

raja-warring-seeks-resignation-of-punjab-cm-education-minister-over-repeated-exam-paper-leak-cases

IndiaJul 22, 2026

Raja Warring seeks resignation of Punjab CM, Education Minister over repeated exam paper leak cases

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, alleging the state government has failed to prevent repeated examination paper leaks in Punjab. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Warring said several major paper leak incidents have been reported during the Mann government's tenure. He cited the Punjab Group-B recruitment examination, which he said was leaked about six months ago, along with alleged leaks involving the Class 12 English examination, the Punjab State Teacher Eligibility

Related News

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

The Trump administration expects to present interim options for the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) before the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate committee in Washington. According to Greer, the proposals would take the form of interim arrangements with Canada and Mexico after the United States decided earlier this month not to continue CUSMA in its current form. As a result, the agreement will now be subject to an annual review process. Greer's comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald

Carney advisory committee meets to discuss U.S. tariffs and Canada’s trade response

Carney advisory committee meets to discuss U.S. tariffs and Canada’s trade response

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Advisory Council on Canada–United States Relations met Tuesday evening to discuss Canada's response to the United States' decision to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. The meeting, chaired by Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, included Canada's chief trade negotiator with the United States, Janice Charette, Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman, and other council members. According to the federal government, discussions focused on the potential impact of the tariffs on key Canadian industries and measures to protect Canada's economic inter

Proposed 50% Trump Tariffs on Canadian Exports Could Face Court Challenge, Experts Say

Proposed 50% Trump Tariffs on Canadian Exports Could Face Court Challenge, Experts Say

U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 50 per cent tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian exports could face legal challenges, although trade law experts say the administration's legal position appears stronger than in previous cases. According to reports, the White House is relying on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose the new duties. The provision authorizes the U.S. president to impose tariffs if another country's trade policies are deemed discriminatory toward the United States. Legal experts say the provision has not previously been used in this manner. The Wh

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital