Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform hon. members and all Canadians that, this year, National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week will be held from April 21 to 28.
Organ and tissue donation is a crucial health issue for Canadians. Last year alone some 1,800 organ transplants took place in Canada. However in too many cases organs and tissues that could have saved lives were not available. Last year some 3,700 Canadians were on waiting lists for transplants and 147 people died waiting.
Earlier today, Her Excellency, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, hosted the annual Celebration of Life ceremony, honouring organ donation families and recipients across Canada.
I would like to recognize the organ and tissue donation families and recipients who are in Ottawa today. Our goal is to put Canada on the road to a strong national organ and tissue transplantation system. With their inspiration, we can work together toward this goal, giving hope of a better life to thousands of Canadians.