Nunavut and Ontario join federal effort to boost number of organ and tissue donors

Provincial, territorial governments seeking permission to access contact information of filers

Nunavut and Canada’s most populous province have agreed to take part in a federal initiative to ensure the viability of Canada’s organ and tissue donation system.

Ontario and Nunavut have agreed to the addition of a question to income tax returns asking filers for permission to share contact information with provinces and territories.

When people in those jurisdictions mark a box on the form, provincial governments will send those people information about how they can register for organ and tissue donation.

“Donation rates have been improving in Canada, but more work needs to be done,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos in a media statement.

“Initiatives like this one are key to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation … and ensure Canadians have timely and effective access to quality organ and tissue donation services wherever they live across the country.”

Only 35 per cent of Ontario residents registered

While those who tick the box will get information about organ and tissue donation, doing so does not sign them up as organ donors.

The federal government says the initiative is necessary because less than a quarter of Canadians are registered organ and tissue donors. Advocates say that’s not enough to ensure all Canadians who need a donation get one.

Be A Donor, an Ontario-based organ and tissue donation advocacy organization, says that while up to 35 per cent of Ontarians are registered, medical needs are not being met.

“Today, in Ontario, there are about 1,400 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant,” the group’s website says. “This is their only treatment option, and every three days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time.”

Be A Donor said every donor can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for up to 75 additional people.

An organ and tissue shortage

The group is in the midst of a campaign to register 120,000 more organ donors in Ontario by April 1, 2023. So far, the campaign has signed up a little over 61,000 new donors.

Be A Donor says that the Ontario community with the lowest registration rate is Markham, with a registration rate of 16 per cent, while the jurisdiction with the highest registration rate is Russell, Ont, where 60 per cent of residents are registered.

Of the 170 jurisdictions ranked, the bottom ten are dominated by communities in and around Toronto, which has a donor registration rate of just 25 per cent. Others include Mississauga (22 per cent), Ajax (24 per cent), Richmond Hill (18 per cent) and Brampton and Vaughn (17 per cent).

“Through this new collaboration, we hope to get Ontarians the information they need to make an informed decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor,” said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones in a media statement.

People in Ontario who agree to receive information through the 2022 income tax return will have their names and email addresses shared with the provincial government.

People in Nunavut will see their names, email and postal addresses shared with their regional governments.

Diane Lebouthillier said governments realize that more work is needed to address the shortage of donations and increase the potential of saving lives.

“We are committed to collaborating with provinces and territories to implement this initiative, as early as possible, for all provinces and territories that want to opt in,” said Lebouthillier.

The tax program stands in contrast to steps taken in Nova Scotia, which implemented the country’s only presumed consent organ donation program through legislation that took effect in mid-January, 2021 in an attempt to improve donation rates.

Under Nova Scotia law, people are presumed to agree to donate their organs when they die unless they opt out. There is also an option to proactively register a wish to donate.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: Election Spotlight—Health Care in Nunavik, Eye on the Arctic

Finland: Privatisation of hospital in Arctic Finland raises questions about healthcare services, Yle News

Greenland: Greenland to reduce services amidst staffing shortages in health care system, Eye on the Arctic

Sweden: Municipalities in Sweden’s North struggling to hire care staff for seniors, Radio Sweden