September 11, 1996
(Health)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Conference of Ministers of Health:

New Blood System Announced

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health agreed today to put in place, within one year, a new national authority to operate Canada's blood system.

The new authority, which would be established under federal legislation, will operate at arm's length from all governments and will be responsible for managing all aspects of an accountable and fully integrated blood system.

"This will be a difficult task and one that will require a substantial amount of time, energy and cooperation by governments and other stakeholders," federal Health Minister David Dingwall said. "We are all resolved to ensure the safety of the blood supply and restore full public confidence."

A steering committee, which will oversee the transition to the new system, will begin work immediately to resolve certain issues and report to ministers by mid February 1997. Issues include a master implementation plan, a business plan, draft legislative framework, details concerning funding, reporting and accountability.

This direction takes into account the interim report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System, and this timing will also allow considerations of further recommendations from the commission.

The federal government will continue to enhance its regulatory and surveillance capabilities as regulator of the blood supply.

Ministers stressed that the Canadian Red Cross has played a vital role in the operations of the blood system for many years. "One of the priority transition issues will be to discuss, with the Board of Governors of the Canadian Red Cross, its future role in the new fully integrated blood system," said Ontario Health Minister Jim Wilson.

Ministers praised Canada's blood donors and urged them to continue to sustain the blood system by their generous and selfless gift of blood. Volunteers are essential to the blood system, they said.

As Quebec explained in its own communique, it does not support the creation of a new national entity to manage the blood system, and takes the view that the blood program must be incorporated into its own health and social services system. Collaboration between the two systems could be explored in the future.