10.86°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

vancouver-police-probe-stabbing-after-fight-at-high-school-basketball-game
BCFeb 03, 2026

Vancouver police probe stabbing after fight at high school basketball game

Vancouver police are investigating a stabbing that left a teenager seriously injured following a high school basketball game at Eric Hamber Secondary School on Monday night. Police say the incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. as a game between Eric Hamber Secondary and Killarney Secondary was ending. Investigators believe several fights broke out among spectators, during which an 18-year-old boy was stabbed in the arm. The injured teen was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries. Police say his condition is serious but non-life-threatening. No arrests have been made, and the investiga
liberals-tap-ontario-ndp-mpp-doly-begum-as-candidate-in-scarborough-southwest
CanadaFeb 03, 2026

Liberals tap Ontario NDP MPP Doly Begum as candidate in Scarborough Southwest

The federal Liberal Party has announced Ontario New Democratic Party MPP Doly Begum will run as its candidate in Scarborough Southwest, following the resignation of longtime Liberal MP Bill Blair. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier this week that Blair, who has represented the Scarborough riding at the federal level for nearly a decade, will take on the role of Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom later this spring. Blair previously served as Toronto’s police chief before entering federal politics in 2015. Begum has represented Scarborough Southwest at Queen’s Park
vancouver-airport-reports-record-passenger-traffic-and-cargo-volumes-in-2025
BCFeb 03, 2026

Vancouver airport reports record passenger traffic and cargo volumes in 2025

Vancouver International Airport says it reached new highs for both passenger travel and cargo movement in 2025, reflecting continued recovery and growth in the region’s transportation and trade sectors. The airport recorded more than 26.9 million passengers last year, a 2.7 per cent increase compared with 2024. That figure surpasses the previous record of 26.3 million travellers set in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global air travel. Airport officials say domestic travel remained a key driver of growth, rising 3.8 per cent year over year. Passenger traffic between Vancouver an
WorldFeb 03, 2026

Iran signals conditional openness to talks with U.S. amid diplomatic uncertainty

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says he has directed the country’s foreign minister to explore negotiations with the United States, provided talks take place under what he described as fair and respectful conditions. In a message posted Tuesday on social media platform X, Pezeshkian said discussions would only proceed if the diplomatic environment is free of threats or what he called unreasonable demands. He said any engagement must be guided by national dignity, prudence, and Iran’s broader interests. The remarks mark the clearest public indication so far that Iran’s new reformist a
trump-to-meet-colombian-president-petro-at-white-house-amid-drug-trafficking-concerns
WorldFeb 03, 2026

Trump to Meet Colombian President Petro at White House Amid Drug Trafficking Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting comes weeks after Trump threatened military action against Colombia over issues related to drug trafficking. On Monday, Trump indicated that Petro appears willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities to curb illegal drug shipments originating from Colombia. Officials say the discussions during the visit are expected to focus on regional security collaboration and efforts to accelerate anti-drug initiatives. Petro and Trump have also voiced ongoing criticism of Venezuelan

Related News