Health Canada to End Discriminatory Blood Ban
Toronto, ON – April 28, 2022 – Today, Health Canada announced its decision to follow Canadian Blood Services’ recommendation to eliminate the blood and plasma donor policy targeting trans women, Two-Spirit individuals, and gay, bisexual, and queer men and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM).
In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Associate Director of Partnerships, Sheba Birhanu, stated:
“At a time when blood banks are running low, excluding trans women and men who have sex with men from giving blood was not just discriminatory, but also self-defeating. Allowing everyone to participate in the time-honoured, civic-minded tradition of donating blood, with screening provisions based on science and fact, not bias and distrust, is the right thing to do. Sexual orientation fails to capture donor risk. Today’s decision marks a shift toward a gender- and sexuality-blind screening process that examines behaviour and risk. It better reflects the scientific reality of blood donation and the values of a modern Canada.”
As a member of the All Blood is Equal Coalition, CIJA thanks the Government of Canada, Health Canada, Ministers Duclos and Boissonnault, and MPs Garrison, Fry, Oliphant, and Duncan, and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly over the last two years to make this a reality.
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About the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Canada’s Jewish Federations.
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