Ensure safety and non-discrimination in blood donation policies.
What success looks like
An evidence-based, safe and non-discriminatory approach to ensuring an adequate blood supply.
Government's narrative on progress
A safe and effective blood system is a cornerstone of health care delivery. Health Canada is working towards reducing barriers to blood and plasma donation for men who have sex with men (MSM) by funding research that will help inform relevant policy changes. In June 2016, Health Canada approved a request from Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec to reduce the blood donation ineligibility period for men who have sex with men from five years to one year. This change was based on scientific evidence brought forward by the blood operators and brought Canada in line with other global regulators, such as the United States, France, Australia and the Netherlands. At the same time, the Government of Canada provided $3 million to Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec to conduct behavioural research and organize an international seminar. In 2017, the first round of competitions resulted in funding for eleven research projects. The second and final competition resulted in four new research projects which were announced in fall 2018. Results of these research projects are expected to be available between summer 2019 and winter 2020 which will inform further changes that could be undertaken to implement an evidence-based, safe and non-discriminatory approach to donations from men who have sex with men. In December 2018, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec filed authorization amendment submissions to Health Canada to change their blood donation deferral policies for MSM from 12 months to 3 months. The review is expected to be completed and a decision returned to the blood operators in April 2019. To continue to support a safe and non-discriminatory approach to blood donation, Budget 2019 proposes to provide $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma, which supports crucial treatment for patients with immunodeficiency, leukemia and a wide range of other illnesses. New funding would inform feasibility assessments and pilot testing of new approaches for donation in consultation with key stakeholders, including the LGBTQ2+ community and patients who depend on plasma.
Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.