Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act, on September 16, 2014.

A clause-by-clause review was conducted the same day. The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

Bill 29 is intended to replace the Human Tissue Act. It establishes the rules by which consent can be given to use human tissue for transplants, therapeutic purposes, medical education or research. In certain cases the bill requires approval from an independent assessment committee. The bill prohibits medical practitioners from determining death of a donor if they have any association with the proposed transplant recipient. It also prohibits commercial activity in human tissue and facilitates the establishment of inter-jurisdictional agreements.

The committee considered a late submission from Canadian Blood Services. The organization requested that Bill 29 provide the legal framework for the disclosure of personal health information to

an organization which maintains a registry for the donation of body parts or substances. The committee reviewed this matter and can offer assurance that the new Health Information Act will provide the appropriate legal framework. The committee would like to thank Canadian Blood Services for its comments on Bill 29.

Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 29 to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 29, and individual Members may have questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you.