Mr. Speaker, April 20 to 27 is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, which gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of organ and tissue donation, and to show our support for the nearly 4,000 Canadians waiting for organ donations.
Organ and tissue donation is important to all Canadians. As members of Parliament, we should encourage our constituents to consider this gift because each year more than 100 Canadians die waiting for a transplant.
The serious gap between the number of organs and tissues donated and the number of people who need them is growing as the population ages. We need to shorten this gap. That is why, in September 1999, the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health set up a committee to establish a pan-Canadian strategy on organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Our donations may save or enhance a life. Thousands of Canadians, children and adults alike, are counting on our generosity.