Hema-Quebec ends discriminatory policy against gay men wanting to donate blood
Starting Sunday morning, anyone can donate blood or plasma, as Hema-Quebec launched its gender-neutral questionnaire, making blood donations more inclusive.
The new policy follows Health Canada's March 25 decision to change policy and eliminate the three-month donor deferral period for gay and bisexual men as well as others in the LGBTQ2S+ community.
"This new, more inclusive approach will place Hema-Quebec among the leaders on the international stage in its field of activity," said Hema-Quebec president and CEO Nathalie Fagnan. "Making this humanitarian gesture even more inclusive and accessible to a greater number of people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, is an important step forward."
Those who've donated blood before (or tried to) will be familiar with the questionnaire that includes questions about whether you are pregnant, undergoing cancer treatment, using intravenous drugs, and other questions.
*See selection criteria below
The new gender-neutral questionnaire will ask about sexual behaviour and pregnancy history, and those who have had multiple partners or a new partner within the past three months will be asked further questions.
"This is a significant and important change to qualification criteria, as the assessment of risk for sexual activity will be done on an individual basis rather than on the basis of belonging to a group considered to be at risk," said Dr. Marc Germain, who is vice president of medical affairs and innovation. "This means, for example, that people who identify as sexually diverse will be able to donate blood, including men who have sex with men. On the other hand, it also means that some heterosexual individuals may no longer qualify to donate blood."
The UK started a similar approach in 2021, Germain said, and it allows Hema-Quebec to believe the new policy will have no negative effect on blood or plasma supplies.
"Furthermore, this entire approach is based on scientific evidence while maintaining a high level of safety for blood products intended for transfusion," Germain added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today.
Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
Quake deaths pass 5,300 as Turkiye, Syria seek survivors
Search teams and emergency aid from around the world poured into Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug, sometimes with their bare hands, through the remains of buildings flattened by a powerful earthquake. The death toll soared above 5,300 and was still expected to rise.
National shortage of veterinarians puts pressure on clinics, pet owners
Canada’s yearslong shortage of veterinarians was exacerbated during the pandemic, as more people welcomed pets into their homes to add joy and companionship during lockdowns. Now, concerns around quickly accessing medical care for animals is more urgent than ever, says one vet.
Why wasn't the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down over Canada?
Critics say the U.S. and Canada had ample time to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it drifted across North America. The alleged surveillance device initially approached North America near Alaska's Aleutian Islands on Jan 28. According to officials, it crossed into Canadian airspace on Jan. 30, travelling above the Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan before re-entering the U.S. on Jan 31.
U.K. police officer, exposed as serial rapist, jailed for life
A former London police officer was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.
Astronomers locate potentially habitable exoplanet 31 light years away
Astronomers have discovered a rocky exoplanet about a few dozen light years away from Earth with conditions that could make it habitable.
Nova Scotia man finds possible historic Killick anchor on beach
John Benoit of West Jeddore, N.S., says he has been beachcombing for over 50 years, but his most recent discovery -- a Killick anchor -- is by far his most memorable.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | 'We are desperate': Family of slain Toronto tech CEO announces $250,000 reward in unsolved murder case
Nearly five years after Matthew Staikos was gunned down in Toronto, the family of the tech CEO has announced a $250,000 reward in the unsolved murder case.
-
European family moves to Toronto in long-term Airbnb. A 'loophole' got them an eviction notice midway
For a Switzerland professor contracted to work in Ontario for a year, Airbnb looked like the right option for a family of five.
-
Video emerges of moments before former child actor was fatally run down on the Danforth
Surveillance video of the moments before a former child actor was run down by a vehicle on the Danforth has been obtained by CTV News Toronto as police search for the driver.
Atlantic
-
Man found dead behind Nova Scotia Power substation in Stellarton
A man has been found dead behind a Nova Scotia Power substation in Stellarton, N.S. Police are investigating the incident as a possible theft.
-
Striking CBU faculty members ratify contract offer, ending nearly two-week strike
Striking Cape Breton University faculty members have ratified the university's most recent contract offer.
-
Two people charged after 1.6 kg of fentanyl, 200 grams of cocaine seized from P.E.I. home
A man and a woman from Cornwall, P.E.I., have been charged with drug trafficking and firearm offences after drugs and guns were seized from a home in the town.
London
-
Fatal fire under investigation on Dundas Street
London police officers and fire officials are investigating after a fatal fire in the east end of the city Monday afternoon.
-
London fraudster case closed after his death is confirmed
The court case involving the London man who defrauded Canada Post of more than $235,000 is now closed.
-
Multi-vehicle crash snaps hydro pole and cuts power
The public is asked to avoid a section of Highbury Avenue after a vehicle collision downed powerlines in the area.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern highways reopen following brief closure due to weather
Several highways in northeastern Ontario are reopened after a winter storm created hazardous road conditions Tuesday morning.
-
Netflix to begin password sharing crackdown in Canada. What you need to know
Netflix users who have been sharing their passwords with friends and family members who live hundreds – or even thousands – of kilometres away won’t be able to do so for much longer, as the streaming service announced its plans to end password sharing.
-
U.S. 6-year-old who shot teacher allegedly tried to choke another
A 6-year-old Virginia boy who shot and wounded his first-grade teacher constantly cursed at staff and teachers, chased students around and tried to whip them with his belt and once choked another teacher 'until she couldn't breathe,' according to a legal notice filed by an attorney for the wounded teacher.
Calgary
-
Smith joins premiers in Ottawa to talk to Trudeau about health care, just transition
Canada's premiers are in Ottawa to meet with the prime minister over access to more health care funding. But that's not all Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has on her mind.
-
Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
-
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
Kitchener
-
'Loved what I did': Google layoffs impact Waterloo region employees
Some Waterloo region Google employees are now jobless after the tech company announced cuts.
-
48-year-old woman dies after Wellington County crash
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Wellington County are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision in the Township of Wellington North.
-
Man arrested for death threats against Kitchener, Ont. Liberal MP
A 44-year-old Woolwich, Ont., man has been arrested for allegedly making death threats against a member of parliament.
Vancouver
-
'A largely absent resource': Those who call on Vancouver's police-based mental health team hope funding boost will improve service
There’s so much demand for Vancouver’s mental health emergency teams that people can be left waiting days, and sometimes teams never make it to requests for service at all. It’s hoped a funding boost to hire more staff will increase capacity of the service.
-
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
-
Dog named Kujo likely to 'kill or injure,' B.C. court rules in euthanasia decision
A dog named Kujo will be euthanized after a B.C. judge determined the animal is "likely to kill or injure" if released from the pound.
Edmonton
-
More than 2,000 parking tickets handed out as residential parking ban ends: city
The city says the phase 2 residential parking ban will be lifted Tuesday at 7 p.m.
-
Bomb threat made against Sylvan Lake school: RCMP
A school in Sylvan Lake, Alta., was evacuated Tuesday morning after a bomb threat, RCMP said.
-
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today.
Windsor
-
Fatal crash in Kingsville claims two lives, injures third
Two people have died in a serious single-vehicle crash in Kingsville, a third person was injured and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
-
Essex-Windsor EMS vote in favour of strike
The union representing Essex-Windsor EMS says paramedics have voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action.
-
Stolen excavator used to break into Dougall Ave. business
Windsor police have arrested one suspect and continue to search for a second after a stolen excavator was used to break into a bingo hall.
Regina
-
Here's what a global recession might mean for Saskatchewan
Talks of a global recession in 2023 remain relatively strong as the calendar reaches the second month of the year.
-
Trevor Harris expected to sign with Riders in free agency: TSN
When free agency opens in the Canadian Football League (CFL) on Feb. 14 it’s likely the Saskatchewan Roughriders will sign quarterback Trevor Harris, a TSN report says.
-
Driver faces $800 fine after speeding past emergency vehicle: Regina police
Members of the Regina Police Service's (RPS) traffic unit caught a driver travelling well over 100km/h while passing an emergency vehicle.
Ottawa
-
Thieves cut huge hole in Ottawa restaurant wall to get at jewelry store next door
An Ottawa restaurateur says he was shocked to find his restaurant broken into and even more surprised to discover a giant hole in the wall that led to the neighbouring jewelry store.
-
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today.
-
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE | Homeowners left with unfinished projects after Ottawa construction company suddenly closes
Homeowners and employees have been left reeling after an Orléans construction company suddenly closed its doors, walking away from half-built houses and projects worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police investigating suspicious death
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is restricting traffic on range road 3062 as they investigate a suspicious death in the area.
-
Man accused of killing Saskatoon youth advocate will plead guilty to manslaughter
A man accused of killing a Saskatoon youth advocate and volunteer has arranged a plea deal, according to his defence lawyer.
-
Saskatchewan residents prefer cats over dogs, survey finds
While 56 per cent of Canadians prefer dogs over cats, in Saskatchewan the opposite is true, according to a new survey.