Skip to Main content

19.14°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 24, 2020 10:22 PM -

Politicians must not pressure Health Canada to approve rapid COVID-19 tests: Freeland

Share On

politicians-must-not-pressure-health-canada-to-approve-rapid-covid-19-tests-freeland

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

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.

Latest news

canadas-trade-minister-to-visit-washington-for-key-meetings-amid-ongoing-trade-tensions

CanadaJul 28, 2026

Canada's trade minister to visit Washington for key meetings amid ongoing trade tensions

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, will travel to Washington, D.C., this week for a series of meetings focused on Canada–U.S. trade relations, according to a spokesperson for his office. Canada's chief trade negotiator to the United States, Janice Charette, will accompany him. The visit comes as trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue after nearly 18 months of disputes. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. Following a phone call with Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the two leaders agreed

power-outages-infrastructure-damage-reported-after-7-1-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-japans-kumamoto-region

WorldJul 28, 2026

Power outages, infrastructure damage reported after 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan's Kumamoto region

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto region on Tuesday, causing widespread power outages, damage to roads and buildings, and disrupting transportation, according to Japanese authorities. Police said several people are believed to be trapped under debris following structural collapses. Authorities have also warned residents to remain alert for strong aftershocks. Local reports indicate that more than 50 injured people were admitted to one hospital, while several others were hurt after a bullet train reportedly derailed during the earthquake. Officials initially issued a t

AlbertaJul 28, 2026

Calgary hiker dies after fall on Mount Temple route in Banff National Park

A 65-year-old Calgary man has died after falling while hiking the Mount Temple scrambling route in Banff National Park, according to Parks Canada. Parks Canada said visitor safety specialists responded after receiving a report that the man had slipped and fallen while hiking with a group on Saturday. Members of the group were able to call for emergency assistance. Rescue crews reached the area by helicopter and used a heli-sling to transport the man to a staging area. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Parks Canada said. Mount Temple is one of Banff National Park's most popular and demanding

surrey-mayor-brenda-locke-criticizes-metro-vancouver-governance-reforms-as-inadequate

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke criticizes Metro Vancouver governance reforms as inadequate

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Metro Vancouver's decision to reduce the size of its governance board does not address what she describes as longstanding inequities in the regional voting system. According to a statement from Locke, Metro Vancouver's decision to reduce the number of board directors from 45 to 34 will make the board smaller but will not resolve what she called an unfair distribution of voting power. She said the Village of Belcarra, with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, holds one full vote on the board, while Surrey, despite having a population hundreds of times large

WorldJul 27, 2026

Kaduna Village Attack Leaves About 30 Dead, Including Children

At least 30 people were killed after armed attackers raided a village in Nigeria's northwestern Kaduna state early Monday, according to local residents. The victims include eight children, while four other people were injured. Dogon Rana, secretary to the village chief, said the attackers entered the community, opened fire indiscriminately, and set several homes ablaze. He said many of those killed were women, children, and elderly residents. According to Rana, the attackers fled the area after carrying out the assault. Local residents said security forces arrived in the village several hours

Related News

Canada's trade minister to visit Washington for key meetings amid ongoing trade tensions

Canada's trade minister to visit Washington for key meetings amid ongoing trade tensions

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, will travel to Washington, D.C., this week for a series of meetings focused on Canada–U.S. trade relations, according to a spokesperson for his office. Canada's chief trade negotiator to the United States, Janice Charette, will accompany him. The visit comes as trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue after nearly 18 months of disputes. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. Following a phone call with Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the two leaders agreed

Etobicoke Uber driver charged after alleged sexual assaults in Burlington

Etobicoke Uber driver charged after alleged sexual assaults in Burlington

Halton Regional Police have arrested a 25-year-old Etobicoke man in connection with two alleged sexual assaults involving the same woman in Burlington. Police identified the accused as Mandeep Singh and said he was working as an Uber driver at the time of the incident. According to Halton Regional Police, the incident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. on June 16 near the south parking lot of the Burlington GO Station. Investigators allege Singh approached the woman and began speaking with her before sexually assaulting her. Police further allege that after the woman left the area, the accused follow

Gunfire damages U.S. Consulate building in Toronto

Gunfire damages U.S. Consulate building in Toronto

The U.S. Consulate at the intersection of University Avenue and Armoury Street in downtown Toronto was struck by gunfire early Monday morning, according to Toronto Police. No injuries were reported. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the shooting occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. while police officers were already present in the area. Investigators confirmed that at least one bullet struck the front of the consulate building. Police said the suspect fled the scene in a white Honda Accord sedan without licence plates. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle but discontinued the chase out of concern

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital