Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of Bill C‑234, the living donor recognition medal act. This bill recognizes the courage, generosity and profound humanity of Canadians who choose to donate an organ during their lifetime. It is truly the gift of life.
I would like to begin by thanking the member for Edmonton Manning for his bill. Among other things, it is an important example of MPs working together across party lines. It shows that, when we set partisanship aside, we can work together to honour the best of Canada. I was particularly touched by this bill on a personal level. It reminds us that behind every donation lies a human story; a decision marked by courage, altruism and a deep commitment to others.
Every year, thousands of Canadians who are dealing with a potentially life-threatening illness are waiting for an organ transplant. Too many of them will not get one in time. The preamble of Bill C‑234 clearly describes this reality. It says that “thousands of Canadians are currently awaiting life-saving organ transplants” and that living donors make these transplants possible.
Organ and tissue donation is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. It is not compelled, does not offer material reward and often carries medical risk. Living donors step forward not for recognition, not for reward, but because they believe in the value of another human life. As the bill notes, they often do so at personal risk and with no expectation of reward. Their actions save lives and strengthen our communities by reminding us of the compassion and solidarity that define Canada at its best.
These are not small virtues, but the very qualities that strengthen our social fabric. When a Canadian chooses to donate an organ, they are saving a life. They are also helping families stay whole. They remind us and communities across the country of what is possible when people act with extraordinary kindness. Their actions really inspire us. They set an example for all of us in this House and for all Canadians.
Canadians are rightly proud of those who perform these acts of extraordinary generosity. To better demonstrate this pride, Bill C-234 proposes a formal mechanism, a national honour, to ensure their contributions are publicly recognized and celebrated.
This is a thoughtful and meaningful initiative. I want to thank the sponsor for bringing forward a bill that shines a light on the silent heroes among us.
Medals play an important role in our society. They are not merely symbolic objects. They represent incredible stories, sacrifices and contributions. They unite people by creating a shared sense of recognition and pride. They also shine a spotlight on actions that often take place in the shadows. By publicly honouring these contributions, they promote a sense of collective belonging. They inspire other Canadians to get involved, showing that every action, no matter how humble, can have a profound and lasting impact.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was worn with pride by many Canadians. I even received a King Charles III Coronation Medal. It served not only as a recognition of service but also as a unifying symbol, bringing together individuals from different regions, backgrounds and professions under a shared sense of national appreciation.
These honours create a shared moment of pride, not just for recipients but also for their families, their communities and the country as a whole. They reinforce a collective identity grounded in generosity, service and compassion, and they remind us that acts of selflessness are not only worthy of recognition but are also foundational to who we are as a society.
I support the objectives of this bill, and I am pleased with the amendments that were drafted in collaboration with the bill's sponsor and adopted by the Standing Committee on Health.
The bill uses a very broad definition of “organ”. This definition explicitly includes all human tissue and encourages us to think more broadly about the spectrum of donation in Canada. Today, living donors provide not only organs, but also blood and bone marrow. That is why I am pleased that this committee review has also expanded the pool of eligible recipients for this medal to include bone marrow donors as well as blood donors who have demonstrated a significant and long-standing commitment to blood donation.
Consider bone marrow donation for a Canadian diagnosed with leukemia or other blood cancer. I must give a shout-out to my old best friend from undergrad, who passed away from leukemia at the young age of 25 and should have been in the House of Commons. We were studying political science together. This speech goes out to Damon Hartung and to all other victims of leukemia. Finding a match is often extraordinarily difficult. Canadians who step forward are volunteering to help a stranger survive. Those donors also give the gift of life, yet awareness remains very low. Many Canadians do not realize how pressing the need for bone marrow donors truly is, nor do they realize how straightforward the process of registering as a potential donor can be.
Similarly, blood donation, especially regular, repeat donation, is essential to the health of Canadians. We think of the Canadian Blood Services, which recognizes the selfless act of donation through the donor recognition medal, which is offered upon request and highlights the generosity and sacrifice of donors while also creating an opportunity to celebrate life-saving contributions. The Canadian Blood Services also acknowledges this altruistic commitment.
However, the bill would go further by making this recognition official at the national level, affirming that these acts are not only appreciated but are also essential to our society. These donors are also unsung heroes. Their contributions may be quieter, occurring many times over many years. Some people choose to donate plasma or platelets on a schedule that requires ongoing commitment and sacrifice. While blood donors do not face the same medical risks as organ donors, the cumulative impact on regular blood and plasma donors is immeasurable.
I recognize the non-partisan spirit that animates the sponsor of Bill C‑234, and I am glad that we were able to make the bill stronger together. It is kicking off a national conversation on how to honour the many donors who are saving lives. It will raise public awareness, support donor recruitment efforts and ultimately increase the number of Canadians who decide to donate organs.
This bill is a tribute to the people who voluntarily make organ donations to help others when they need help the most. It shows that Parliament and all Canadians value the contributions of living donors. Through non-partisan collaboration, we can ensure that this bill passes and that the important role of so many Canadians who choose to make organ donations gets recognition.
In conclusion, I support the objectives of Bill C‑234, and I encourage all members of the House to do the same. Let us honour the people who show up when times are tough, who represent the best of what we are and who remind us that compassion is one of this country's greatest strengths for good. The time has come to honour the people who give the gift of life.