Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences

In the Legislative Assembly on October 6th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, some time ago, I was asking the Minister of Transportation whether it would be possible to have donor cards put on the back of drivers' licences. At the time, the Minister did assure me and the House that this matter was being looked into. Some time has gone by and I haven't heard anything more about it.

I'm looking at my driver's licence as I speak, Madam Speaker, and there is still no donor card on the back of it. I just wondered if the department is actually looking into this matter as the Minister assured us that he would be.

Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 5th, 1994

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South did suggest that we look at a donor card on the drivers licences. I know that the suggestion was well-intentioned.

However, in discussions with the Department of Health, it is somewhat impractical. I'm told that an operational donor card program requires the ability to remove the donors' organs, store and transport the tissue in a sterile environment, identify and prepare the recipient to receive the organ and carry out the delicate transplant surgery, all at short notice.

Given the conditions that exist in this part of the country, the lack of medical expertise that we have across the country and what would be required to do that kind of operation, at this time it is impractical. However, I do commend the Member for bringing that matter up earlier last year. Thank you.

Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I recognize that it is a delicate subject, but it's a subject that many people don't find delicate but find quite important. I recognize the fact that there are medical problems, but it depends on where you are.

Members of this House travel a lot, myself included, and do go south. God willing, an accident is not going to happen, but in the event it does, this is where these types of instruments that would authorize the donation of organs to help humanity can take place. I just wondered for those people who do look at this seriously, I wonder if this is a possibility. Or, after the Minister's answer, is this matter not closed?

Supplementary To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

John Todd Keewatin Central

Well, the matter is never closed. As I said, I think that the question that was raised earlier in the year was a well-intentioned one. But there are some logistical problems. There are some expertise problems. We don't have doctors or surgeons across the territories.

We are still...No, the matter is closed. At this point in time, we're not in a position to put into effect the donor card as has been suggested by the honourable Member. Sorry. It's a lot easier that way.

Further Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm sorry to hear that because I do know of one instance here in Yellowknife where an unfortunate accident took the life of a young lady. As a result, the lens of the eyes were donated because the person had a donor card and those lenses, I understand, are easy to remove and easy to transport. They were successful in their transplant. It's unfortunate that this matter is closed because the need still exists for organs such as eyes.

I would like to ask the Minister if he would ask his department to again look at this, without putting the emotions that the department may have into it.

Supplementary To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

John Todd Keewatin Central

I think the Department of Transportation is an unemotional lot. But we've looked at this thing in terms of the practical approach to it. As I said already, I thought the suggestion was an excellent one, earlier in the year. We have looked at it. We think it's a little impractical at this time to put it into effect. Maybe in future years as things change and as we get more expertise across the territories, new hospitals, et cetera, we may be able to do it. But at this time, we're not prepared to put any more fiscal resources into the research of this project. I hate to say no to the honourable Member because I know it's an important issue, but I'm afraid at this time, we're not prepared to move any further on this project. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Question 65-12(6): Status Of Donor Cards For Drivers' Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 123

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.