National

No Plans To Lift Restrictions On Gay Blood Donors: Canadian Blood Services

The Canadian Press , 12 Oct, 2014 05:48 PM

MONTREAL - The agency responsible for Canada's blood supply says there are no immediate plans to further relax restrictions on gay and bisexual blood donors despite the fact officials are testing the waters on the idea.

Canadian Blood Services lifted its lifetime donation ban on men who have sex with men in 2013, allowing those who had been abstinent for five years to donate.

Now, a new online survey, conducted by the polling firm Ipsos Reid on behalf of the agency, asks whether Canadians would be in favour of cutting the deferral period down to one year.

But Dr. Mindy Goldman of Canadian Blood Services says the agency isn't considering such a move at the moment.

Goldman says the survey is an attempt to gather views about possible changes that could be made in the next few years.

Canadian Blood Services announced in September its blood supply is "critically low" and appealed to all eligible donors to make a blood donation immediately.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.

A woman who alleges she was beaten by a Mountie in Williams Lake, B.C., when she was 17 has now filed a civil suit against the city and three RCMP officers, including one who was acquitted of an assault charge.

Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.

Cooler weather helps snuff another campfire ban in B.C.'s backcountry

Campers on the south coast of British Columbia will be able to spark up a campfire by the end of the week.

Cooler weather helps snuff another campfire ban in B.C.'s backcountry

ICBC Seeks 5.2% Raise in Basic Insurance Rates

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is aiming to hike basic insurance rates by 5.2 per cent.

ICBC Seeks 5.2% Raise in Basic Insurance Rates

Confrontations between humans and cougars means more big cats destroyed in 2013

The number of cougars destroyed by conservation officers in B.C. in the 2013-2014 fiscal year jumped dramatically compared with a year earlier.

Confrontations between humans and cougars means more big cats destroyed in 2013

Fortress Paper sells maker of security threads in bank notes for $17.5 million

Pulp and bank note producer Fortress Paper Ltd. is selling its operations that make security film used in bank notes to Nanotech Security Corp. for up to $17.5 million in cash and shares.

Fortress Paper sells maker of security threads in bank notes for $17.5 million

Striking B.C. teachers step up pressure tactics as school year looms

Secondary schools in Vancouver are expected to be behind picket lines this week as part of a province-wide attempt to pressure the British Columbia government.