Mr. Speaker, I am sure it will surprise many to learn that Canada has one of the lowest organ donations rates in the world.
Last spring the Minister of Health asked the Standing Committee on Health to examine this very important issue and to make recommendations about ways to improve Canada's regretful donation rates.
The committee tabled its report in April and I am pleased to inform the House that the Minister of Health tabled the government's response to that report with the clerk earlier today.
I am also pleased to note that when Canada's health ministers met last month in Charlottetown they agreed to establish a council on organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Canada. This will give Canada a co-ordinated, comprehensive and integrated donation and transplantation strategy across the country. The council's business plan will be reviewed in November.
It is my hope that these efforts will go a long way to improving Canada's organ donation rate.