Organ donation: Quebec to examine presumed consent

The Quebec government will study presumed consent for organ donation in a parliamentary commission.

“A parliamentary commission will be tasked with reviewing all processes related to organ donation and transplantation, whether it’s prevention, awareness, staff training, collaborative work with Transplant Québec, and, of course, the aspect of consent,” said Minister Responsible for Seniors Sonia Bélanger at a cross-party press conference attended by representatives from all three opposition parties.

A motion by André Fortin, Liberal MNA for Pontiac, to request a consultation on the subject was unanimously adopted at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

“I’m very happy to sense a certain momentum on the issue of having a real discussion on how we can facilitate organ donation, how we can improve the situation in Quebec with regard to organ donation,” said Fortin.

In April, Fortin tabled Bill 194: “An Act to establish a presumption of consent to organ or tissue donation after death.”

Presumed consent means that, rather than having to request proof of consent from a deceased patient, his or her donor status would be presumed until proven otherwise.

During Tuesday’s press briefing, Minister Bélanger hinted that the government might table its own bill after the parliamentary commission.

In her opinion, it would be possible to pass it during the current legislative period. “Today, it’s a formal gesture; we want it to be on the legislative agenda eventually,” she said.

Transplant Québec wants government action

On Tuesday, prior to the parliamentary press briefing, Transplant Québec reiterated its invitation to the Quebec government to review legislation and put in place effective processes to increase organ donation rates.

As of Dec. 31, 2022, 913 people in Quebec were waiting for an organ donation, while 483 people received transplants throughout the year, according to Transplant Québec. The organization points out, however, that the number of organ donations remains lower than that of other Canadian provinces and countries such as Spain and the United States.

Transplant Québec’s executive director, Martine Bouchard, maintains that significant progress could be made through consistent reforms.

The organization suggests that a comprehensive bill be drafted to address, among other things, the coordination of donations, the training of health-care professionals, the role and influence of the deceased’s loved ones, the raising of awareness among the Quebec population, and consent.

On World Organ Donor Day, Tuesday, Transplant Québec unveiled a public action to draw attention to the importance of adopting a legislative framework to optimize donation in Quebec. An oversized silicone heart, placed at the centre of a 2.4-meter-high ice wall, was displayed in front of the National Assembly until Thursday.

This article was first published by La Presse Canadienne and translated by CityNews