Ottawa — Health Canada announced a policy change that ends a longstanding screening barrier for sperm donation, removing questions about sexual behavior from the donor screening process. The move effectively broadens eligibility for donors and addresses restrictions that had previously limited participation by gay and bisexual men.
Under prior guidelines, potential donors were assessed in part based on sexual activity, which among other factors had restricted some men from donating. Health Canada’s updated approach removes those questions, aligning the screening process with current scientific understanding and reducing unnecessary exclusions.
Officials stressed that the change is part of an overall effort to ensure safety and informed consent in assisted reproduction, while improving access to donor sperm for families and individuals seeking reproductive services. The department did not indicate any changes to the medical criteria used to assess donor health or the testing required to ensure the safety of donated material.
The decision comes as Canada and many other countries reassess donor eligibility criteria in light of evolving research on infection risk, privacy, and equitable access to fertility services. Health Canada indicated that existing safeguards around screening, testing, and consent remain in place, and that donations will continue to be governed by standard medical and ethical practices.
Advocates welcomed the development, noting that reducing barriers can increase donor pools and provide more options for people pursuing infertility treatments. They emphasized the importance of ongoing transparency and monitoring to maintain safety standards while expanding access.
A Health Canada spokesperson indicated that the department will monitor the impact of the policy change and review any further adjustments as necessary. The agency did not provide a timeline for future updates but said the new policy is intended to be implemented promptly to improve donor accessibility.
