 |
CRISIS IN ORGAN DONATIONTO DEFER IS TO DO NOTHING: MCGUINTY And nothing is what McGuinty has done Click Here for recent news August 3, 2007 MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT KILLS ORGAN DONATION BILL ORGAN DONATION BILL MAY BECOME LAW
What's
Bill 67? Private Member’s Bill to Increase Organ Donations Gets Unanimous Support March 30, 2006 For Immediate Release (Queen's Park) A Private Member's Bill proposed by Oak Ridges MPP, Frank Klees, which received unanimous all-party support during today's Legislative Session, could have a significant impact on access to organ transplants for Ontario patients. The Bill, which was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy, requires that, everyone 16 years of age or older, will have to make a declaration concerning organ donation when they apply for, or renew, a driver's license or a provincial health card. "The purpose of this Bill is to emphasize the increasing importance of organ donation to saving lives and reducing the suffering and uncertainty of patients who are now locked into long waiting lists," said Klees. Nearly 2,000 people are waiting for a kidney, heart, liver or lung transplant and hundreds die every year waiting for transplants. While some advocate a system of "presumed consent," Klees has rejected that approach because he believes every Ontarian should have the right to make a personal decision as to whether they want to be an organ donor. "The proposed "Mandatory Declaration" respects the right of every indiviaul to make this very personal decision, but also ensures that everyone gives serious consideration to the opportunity they have to save a life," said Klees. Although a 2001 Environics poll reported that 96% of Canadians support organ donation, fewer than 45% indicated they signed donor cards. Klees believes his Bill will significantly increase the availability of donor organs. "This will build an automatic mechanism into the province's health card and driver's license system that will require individuals to give this consideration and to make a declaration of their choice," said Klees.
Klees' initiative on this issue was inspired by the circumstances of a number of his constituents who are experiencing the frustrations of Ontario 's long waiting list for donor organs. The Bill has received enthusiastic support from the medical community and the general public. Greg Flynn, President of the Ontario Medical Association, stated that, "We believe such a bill would go a long way to improving and saving the lives of so many that need organ and tissue donations in Ontario ." Dr Jeff Zaltzman, Director, Renal Transplant, St Michael's Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto , said in support of the Bill, "I believe that this is a great opportunity to educate the public, allow donor decisions to be registered and increase the organ donation rate. The ability to provide education in advance and mandate a choice of 'yes,' 'no' or 'undecided,' is key to the success of the program. Unlike presumed consent, everyone will be informed and have to decide. This is non-partisan, non-threatening and, if done well, will prove to be successful." Dr William Wall, Director of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program at the London Health Science Centre expressed his full support for the Bill noting its implementation "Will be a major step forward in raising the organ donation rate in the province - lives will be saved as a result." "We strongly support organ donation," said Gary Fagan, President of the Canadian Liver Foundation. "The Foundation encourages people to sign their donor cards and discuss their wishes with family members. We feel this bill is another step in the right direction towards getting Canadians to make a concrete decision on becoming an organ donor."
-30-
Hansard Second Reading March 30, 2006 (record of debate in the legislature) Backgrounder (revised August 13, 2007)and Private Member's Bill are attached.
-30- For more information please contact: Frank Klees, MPP 416-325-7316
|
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Trillium Gift of Life Network website Visit The Costco Connection
May /June edition and vote. Frank’s answer NO Joan Ransberry June 11, 2007 Grits should hear beating of drum Download the *Petition* and gather signitures to petition the legislature to pass Bill 67! Constituent Feedback: "Helping to Help Save Lives" MPP Takes Organ Donation to the Streets June 4, 2006 CITIZENS PANEL ON INCREASING ORGAN DONATION Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees addressed
the Citizens Panel on Increasing Organ Donation last night ( December
4th) at the Newmarket Community Centre. "In closing, and on behalf of the many Ontarians whose very lives depend on timely organ donations, I would encourage the Panel to ensure that Mandatory Declaration be a priority recommendation when it completes its public hearings and reports back to the government early next year." for presentation click here ACTION! NOT STUDY NEEDED "Every week people are dying in this province while on a waiting list for an organ," said Klees. "And now the only commitment we get from the Minister of Health is another study. That is shameful."Press Release Nov 24, 2006
Liberal Newspaper article by Michael Power MPP honours Don Cousens through bill Other Articles: The Record, Kitchener Waterloo The
Kingston Whig-Standard
FRANK KLEES, MPP was a panelist at 4 Organ Donation
Bills why they think their bill should be law in Ontario Debate at Columbus Centre with George Marcello, Liberal and Tory MPP's Tandem News by Alan Patarga
National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week April 23, 2006 |
||||
© 2008 Frank Klees, M.P.P. All Rights Reserved |
