The government gradually whittled down the required abstinence periods to five years, three years, and - starting in 2019 - three months. This follows an evolution of policy from a lifetime ban on blood donations, imposed in the mid-1980s, from men who had engaged in sex with men since 1977. 'Today's authorization is a significant milestone toward a more inclusive blood donation system nationwide, and builds on progress in scientific evidence made in recent years,' Health Canada said in a statement. The change is expected to take effect by Sept. Instead of requiring men who have sex with men to remain abstinent for at least three months before donating, the agency will screen all potential blood and plasma donors for 'high-risk sexual behaviours.' Under the new criteria, anyone who has had anal sex with a new partner will have to wait three months before donating, a Canadian Blood Services spokesperson said.

The federal health department announced it is authorizing a submission from Canadian Blood Services to allow donations from men who have had sex with another man within the previous three months. TORONTO, April 28 (Reuters) - Canada said on Thursday it is lifting a ban on blood donations from sexually active men who have sex with men, first imposed decades ago, as part of an effort to create a 'more inclusive' system.