Canada’s blood donation ban may open up. Here’s how

Guest: Dr. Nathan Lachowsky, an associate professor from the University of Victoria

The ban that restricts gay, bisexual and some trans men from donating blood might soon officially end in Canada. Last December, Canadian Blood Services applied to Health Canada to scrap the current screening method — called outdated and discriminatory, by many — in favour of new screening criteria based on sexual history and behaviour. Dr. Nathan Lachowsky, an associate professor from the School of Public Health & Social Policy at the University of Victoria, joins “This Matters” to explain the ban’s origins, where we stand now and how proposed changes will ultimately benefit the health system.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Matthew Hearn.