13.96°C Vancouver

Sep 29, 2020 10:26 PM -

Federal government strikes agreement with Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices

Share On
federal-government-stikes-agreement-with-abbott-to-buy-7-9-million-rapid-test-devices
People wait in line for hours at a COVID assessment centre at Mount Sinai Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The federal government has reached an agreement with American company Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices once they are approved by Health Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, is pushing back against calls for Ottawa to quickly approve rapid tests for COVID-19, saying the decision is ultimately up to federal scientists.

Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says rolling out inaccurate COVID-19 tests can lead to further infections if there is a large number of false negatives.

Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand says with the numbers of COVID-19 cases rising, now more than every, each and every one of us must redouble our efforts to stop the spread.

She says testing and tracing are key to keep community spread at a minimum.

Latest news

carney-eby-announce-mou-on-b-c-tanker-ban-and-pipeline-compensation
CanadaJul 02, 2026

Carney, Eby announce MOU on B.C. tanker ban and pipeline compensation

Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby announced Thursday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which the federal government has committed to maintaining the oil tanker ban on British Columbia's North Coast. According to the announcement, the agreement also provides that British Columbia would receive full compensation if any future oil pipeline crosses the province. The MOU does not require the province to support future oil pipeline projects as a condition of the agreement. Carney said the agreement could help attract up to $150 billion in
CanadaJul 02, 2026

Woman arrested after parking dispute leads to stabbing in Oshawa on Canada Day

A 53-year-old woman has been arrested after an alleged stabbing during a dispute over a parking space in Oshawa on Canada Day left another woman seriously injured. According to Durham Regional Police, the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday near Lakeview Park Avenue and Simcoe Street South. Police said a confrontation over a parking space involving the suspect, a young man and another woman escalated into a physical altercation. Investigators allege the 53-year-old woman produced a knife during the confrontation. Police said the other party used dog spray in an attempt to defend the
rcmp-search-montréal-nord-residence-in-suspected-human-smuggling-investigation
CanadaJul 02, 2026

RCMP search Montréal-Nord residence in suspected human smuggling investigation

RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Montréal-Nord on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected human smuggling operation. According to the RCMP, investigators believe the residence was used to house migrants either after they were allegedly smuggled into Canada from the United States or before being transported across the border into the U.S. Police said one suspected smuggler and one migrant were arrested. No charges had been announced as of publication. The RCMP said the investigation remains active and did not release additional details about the a
alberta-delays-update-on-proposed-west-coast-oil-pipeline-as-carney-meets-b-c-premier
AlbertaJul 02, 2026

Alberta delays update on proposed West Coast oil pipeline as Carney meets B.C. premier

The Alberta government has postponed a planned update on its proposed million-barrel-a-day oil pipeline to Canada's West Coast. A news conference featuring Premier Danielle Smith had been scheduled for Thursday morning but was delayed until later in the day. The provincial government did not immediately provide a reason for the change. According to the Alberta government, the proposed pipeline is linked to a memorandum of understanding signed by Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney last fall. The agreement outlines a commitment to advance a bitumen export pipeline to the West Coast, contingent
prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-visit-punjab-in-august-ravneet-singh-bittu-announces
IndiaJul 02, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit Punjab in August, Ravneet Singh Bittu Announces

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab in August, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced. According to Bittu, the prime minister will inaugurate a major railway project during the visit. He also said Modi is expected to launch several other development projects for the state. The date of the visit and additional details have not yet been announced. The Prime Minister's Office and the central government have not yet released further information about the proposed projects or the official itinerary. Political observers have linked the planned visit to the Bhar

Related News