Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • 2022 Diversity Champions
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • EVs Decoded
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Coronavirus
February 01, 2021 09:23 AM

Magna and its former CEO part of consortium piloting rapid COVID-19 testing

The Canadian Press
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    walker.jpg

    Former Magna CEO Don Walker retired from the supplier at the end of 2020.

    TORONTO — Auto supply giant Magna International is among some of Canada's top companies that have united to pilot rapid tests identifying COVID-19 in hopes that they can find a way to reopen workplaces.

    The pilot is being run by the University of Toronto's Creative Destruction Lab, which has partnered with 12 companies including Air Canada and Rogers Communications Inc. to experiment with antigen tests that take about 15 minutes to deliver results.

    Those behind the project believe it could give Canada's corporate world a road map to quelling the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces that have had to close or have struggled to contain outbreaks.

    "What we are trying to do is break the chain of transmission," said Ajay Agrawal, the founder of the Creative Destruction Lab, a non-profit helping science and tech firms.

    "We are using screening to stop one infected person from infecting other people in the workplace."

    Rogers Communications Inc. and Air Canada were the first two companies to begin the testing and in late January were joined by Suncor Energy Inc. and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Agrawal said.

    Bank of Nova Scotia, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Shoppers Drug Mart, MDA Corp., Magna International Inc., Nutrien Ltd. and Canada Pension Plan Investments are expected to begin testing soon.

    ‘ECONOMIC CARNAGE’

    It wasn't hard to get the companies on board, said Agrawal, because everyone is eager to reduce the spread of the virus and lift severe lockdown measures that have closed businesses across Canada and forced others into bankruptcy.

    "I think they look across the country and all they see is carnage. Economic carnage," said Agrawal.

    His lab got executives from the companies together at the start of the pandemic when he realized that a "novel" health crisis would also need novel solutions.

    They formed a "vision council" and convinced Mark Little from Suncor, Galen G. Weston of Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart and for Magna CEO Don Walker, who retired from the supplier at the end of 2020, to join.

    Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and author Margaret Atwood took part as "thought leaders."

    After presentations and poring over plenty of numbers, they decided to put up their money and time and agree to share data as they experiment with rapid testing.

    RESULTS IN 15 MINUTES

    Two retired military generals with experience in Afghanistan were called in, and they began rehearsing how to make the testing as efficient as possible.

    They reduced the entire screening process from seven minutes per person to 90 seconds.

    "They keep trying to chisel down the time and expense," Agrawal said.

    "For example they had a medical professional doing Step 1, 2 and 3 and they realized we don't need a medical professional doing step two and that brings the cost down."

    The pilot tests workers twice a week and makes use of millions of rapid tests obtained by the federal government and dispersed across provinces, who were allowed to allocate them for businesses.

    Those in the pilot who get tested are allowed to continue with their work. When the results arrive roughly 15 minutes later, anyone with a positive result is contacted immediately and asked to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

    Agrawal considers the PCR tests the "gold standard" because they're considered to be more accurate than rapid tests and are being used by most provincial COVID-19 assessment centres.

    He expects the rapid tests will generate some false positives, but not many.

    "So far, there's only been a few cases and they've all been confirmed by the PCRs," he said.

    Once the kinks are all worked out, Agrawal hopes to scale the system quickly, but he warns rapid antigen tests can't work alone.

    "They're not going to solve (COVID) alone, but when we combine them with other things like PCRs and rolling out the vaccines, they're just one piece of the puzzle, but a critical one."

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Canadian autoworkers to stay masked, despite easing of restrictions elsewhere
    Recommended for You
    Canadian autoworkers to stay masked, despite easing of restrictions elsewhere
    Canadian autoworkers to stay masked, despite easing of restrictions elsewhere
    TOYOTA CANADA MANUFACTURING
    Toyota Canada resumes production after COVID outbreak at key supplier
    Man with Paid Sick Days Sign
    Auto companies among those stepping up in absence of mandated paid sick days
    DSMA CEO on current mergers & acquisitions outlook
    Sponsored Content: DSMA CEO on current mergers & acquisitions outlook
    Digital Edition
    March 2023 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • 2022 Diversity Champions
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS