moved that Bill C-234, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Living Donor Recognition Medal, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Mr. Speaker, a living donor is someone who donates all or part of an organ to save the life of a fellow Canadian. I am a living donor. On December 8, 2003, I donated part of my liver to save the life of my son Tyler, but I am not alone. Across Canada, there are hundreds of people alive today because someone bravely, generously and selflessly gave a part of their body to another person to save their life. Living donors exemplify the highest ideals of selflessness, yet Canada lacks a formal system to celebrate their contributions. My bill, Bill C-234, will recognize these remarkable individuals through the creation of the living donor recognition medal.
I am immensely proud of the fact that the House has united behind this non-partisan effort. Today, I will be speaking to the bill, but I will also give a voice to my fellow colleagues from all parties who are not able to get a speaking opportunity today. This will demonstrate how broad and non-partisan this initiative truly is. The joint seconders of the bill come from all provinces in a strong voice of support. I have received support from members of all political parties, and I am extremely thankful for their support. It shows Canadians that we can unite to do the right thing when we set politics aside. We are all motivated by the selfless gifts these donors have given.
As the Liberal member for Ottawa West—Nepean has stated, “This bill will give much-needed recognition to people who are the most deserving. Their heartwarming stories of selflessness are an inspiration.”
My colleague from Long Range Mountains said, “I know a living donor, and I have seen first-hand the tremendous sacrifice it takes to give someone another lease on life. These heroes do not do it for recognition. They do it out of love and selflessness, but they deserve to be recognized for giving the ultimate gift: the gift of life.”
She went on to say, “Someone we love actually received two kidneys, one from his brother and one from his sister. Life before the transplant was filled with exhaustion and limitations, but receiving a new kidney brought hope and energy back. It transformed misery into freedom and restored a sense of normal life.”
These donors stepped forward, took on risk and gave the gift of life. To me and those they saved, they are true heroes.
The Liberal member for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam stated, “Creating a living donor recognition medal is an important step to recognize those special Canadians who gave a piece of themselves so that others can live. Those who step forward, out of kindness and compassion, [to] show selflessness to help friends, family members and sometimes strangers, are Canada's unsung heroes. This medal recognizes their contribution to humanity.”
Living donors are not paid and not allowed to be compensated for their donations, and this is a good thing. They have freely given what they can to save the life of another. It is a priceless gift.
The member for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay knows this. As she stated, “The choice to be an organ donor is done without reward, but the everyday Canadians who make this choice are choosing to save a life. Their courage deserves recognition, which is why I was proud to cosponsor my colleague's bill to establish a living donor recognition medal.”
The leader of the Green Party spoke to their true motivation when she stated, “Every year, hundreds of Canadians respond with extraordinary compassion and courage to donate their organs to the thousands of Canadians awaiting life-saving organ transplants. I fully support Bill C-234, which would rightly honour living donors, recognizing the selfless gift of life they provide and the profound impact they have on our health care system and communities.”
As I have mentioned in the House before, a transplant recipient once said to me, “I just don't feel that a thank you card is enough. I wish we could do a proper job of recognizing them.”
My colleague for Calgary Centre knows that we need to do more. He stated, “These individuals give the gift of life, often quietly and without fanfare. A national medal is a meaningful way to honour their extraordinary generosity and to remind us all of the power of selflessness in building a stronger, more compassionate country.”
Living donors volunteer to give a part of their body to another person to save their life, and this selfless and altruistic gesture is worthy of significant recognition. We regularly recognize citizens for bravery, selfless acts and compassion toward their fellow citizens. It should be no different for living donors.
The member for Don Valley West agrees. He stated, “Every day, Canadians waiting for organ transplants depend on the generosity and courage of donors. By establishing the living donor recognition medal, Parliament is honouring these extraordinary individuals whose selflessness saves lives, strengthens families and reflects the very best of who we are as a country.”
The leader of the NDP said, “Living organ donors embody the highest ideal of generosity, compassion and humanity. Establishing a national medal is a fitting tribute to their extraordinary contributions to the life of others and to our society as a whole.”
The most important part of the bill is that this medal would raise awareness and discussion around living donations. It would encourage others to explore living donation and the power it holds. It will save more lives.
My Liberal friend, the member for Humber River—Black Creek, understands this. She said, “I'm proud to support Bill C-234, which recognizes the truly stunning generosity of living organ donors in Canada. Their sacrifice saves lives and shows us all what it means to be a champion of our better nature. Let us celebrate their selfless courage and compassion as they inspire us all.”
I could not agree more.
My colleague, the member for Riding Mountain, also recognized the power that such a medal could have when he stated, “We need more organ donors in Canada. That's why I fully support Bill C-234 to create a living donor recognition medal. This award will increase awareness, recognize donors and help save lives.”
If we do this, Canada will be only the second country in the world to add living donors to their national honour system. By taking a lead in this, we further demonstrate our belief that this is the right thing to do.
My Liberal friend, the member for Laval—Les Îles, also sees the opportunity for Canada to lead. He said, “It would be a source of pride to see Canada become only the second country to formally honour living donors. They are unsung heroes who fully deserve this recognition. Although Canada is a prosperous country with well-established health care infrastructure, this law reminds us that we are nothing without the generosity and dedication of others. Putting ourselves in someone else's shoes is a fundamental democratic act that must be emphasized and revalued.”
My Liberal colleague, the member for South Shore—St. Margarets, said it best when she said, “This legislation recognizes a simple truth: that the gift of life is among the greatest acts of service one human being can offer another. In honouring living organ donors, we'll celebrate a quiet heroism that saves lives and strengthens the fabric of our nation. ”
We do not just have to take it from hon. members. There are also those on the front lines of our health care system.
Our Liberal colleague the member for Winnipeg West is an emergency room doctor and knows about these issues first-hand. He stated, “By seconding Bill C-234, I want to highlight the profound impact living organ donors have on our communities. Each act of donation ripples beyond the recipient, bringing families, friends, and neighbours together in gratitude and hope. This medal will honor those extraordinary Canadians whose generosity strengthens the bonds that make our communities resilient and compassionate.”
The medal would provide the only official recognition and acknowledgement of critical and life-saving donations. It would be a legitimate, tangible and significant way a donor could be thanked in a non-monetary way. My colleague the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan understands this and the importance such an honour would have. He stated, “I am proud to support Bill C-234, which recognizes the incredible generosity of Canadians who become living organ donors. These men and women represent the best of who we are—people willing to make profound sacrifices to give others the gift of life. Honouring their compassion and courage is the right thing to do.”
In Canada, 4,700 individuals await life-saving organ transplants, with most relying on living donors, selfless individuals who donate all or part of an organ to save another's life. Three-quarters of people awaiting a transplant are in need of a kidney, and living donors are an option.
The recognition would not only validate the donor's sacrifices but also spark vital conversation about organ donation, reducing the transplant waiting list and saving more lives. The proposal has garnered support in all parties for its simplicity and impact. A living donor recognition medal would serve as a powerful symbol of gratitude, ensuring that donors are thanked appropriately for saving the life of another. It aligns with Canada's tradition of honour, bravery and compassion, placing living donors alongside other honoured citizens.
The medal has the potential to inspire and educate. By recognizing living donors, Canada could lead by example, reinforcing the importance of living donor donation and celebrating those who give the gift of life. The medal would be a tangible, non-monetary way to acknowledge their altruism, raising awareness about living donation and encouraging more Canadians to consider this life-saving act.
I am confident all members will want to support the proposal, and I hope I can count on their strong support. Canadians will view this as a worthwhile and deserving recognition, and now it is up to us to make it happen. As my colleague the member for Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake stated simply, “Honouring living donors with a Living Donor Recognition Medal recognizes their courage and generosity, while helping to raise awareness and encourage more life-saving acts.”
I will give my final words to my colleague the member for Charlottetown. He summed it up when he said, “Living organ donors are our unsung heroes. Their gift of life is the ultimate altruistic act and selfless gesture. The bravery and courage it takes to give a part of yourself to save another is worthy of the highest of recognitions and appreciation. Canada is truly fortunate to have individuals willing to make such contributions and the least we can do is appropriately thank them.”
I agree wholeheartedly. Let us get it done and save more lives.