Living Donor Recognition Medal Bill

Moved second reading of Bill C-234, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Living Donor Recognition Medal.

He said: Honourable senators, I rise today as the sponsor of Bill C-234, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Living Donor Recognition Medal.

I would also like to recognize the work of my colleague in the other place Member of Parliament Ziad Aboultaif, whose advocacy and commitment helped bring this important legislation before Parliament.

At its core, this bill is about recognizing extraordinary Canadians — individuals who willingly undergo major surgery, accept significant personal risk and make profound sacrifices in order to save or improve the life of another person.

Living organ donation is one of the clearest expressions of selflessness that exists in our society.

These Canadians do not act for recognition. They act out of compassion, generosity and love. But Parliament nevertheless has an opportunity — and, I would argue, a responsibility — to formally recognize these extraordinary acts. That is precisely what Bill C-234 seeks to do.

The legislation would establish a national medal to recognize Canadians who donate an organ while living, as well as individuals who donate a portion of an organ. The medal would be administered by the Governor General and awarded to those who meet the eligibility criteria established under the act.

Honourable senators, the importance of living organ donation in Canada cannot be overstated. Today, more than 4,700 Canadians are awaiting an organ transplant. Tragically, one Canadian dies approximately every three days while waiting for a transplant. These numbers remind us that organ donation is not an abstract issue. It is deeply personal for families across this country. Living donors help address that reality in a profound way.

In Canada, living donors most commonly donate a kidney, though they may also donate part of an organ such as the liver or bone marrow. These donations often allow recipients to avoid years on waiting lists and can dramatically improve quality of life and long-term health outcomes.

Living donation can also significantly reduce long-term health care pressures. Kidney transplantation, for example, is not only associated with better patient outcomes than dialysis but can also reduce health care costs over time by allowing recipients to return to more normal and productive lives.

But behind every statistic is a human story: a family waiting for a call, a parent hoping to see their child recover or a young Canadian trying to continue school, work or daily life while managing chronic illness. And somewhere in that story is often a living donor — someone willing to endure surgery, recovery and risk so another person may have a second chance.

The sponsor of this legislation in the other place, my colleague Member of Parliament Ziad Aboultaif, spoke passionately about the need to recognize living donors and described them as individuals who are “completely unselfish” in their willingness to literally give a part of themselves so another person may live.

At second reading in the other place, members from all recognized parties spoke in support of the legislation. The debate was notably collaborative and non-partisan.

Members emphasized several important themes: first, that living donors deserve national recognition for their courage, generosity and sacrifice; second, that establishing a medal could help raise awareness about organ donation and encourage more Canadians to consider becoming donors; and third, that the legislation reflects core Canadian values — compassion, community and service to others.

Several members also highlighted the burdens often carried by living donors. Donation is not a simple procedure. Donors may face travel expenses, time away from work, lengthy recovery periods and emotional stress, all undertaken voluntarily to help another person.

For some donors, recovery can take weeks or months. For others, there can be long-term lifestyle impacts. Yet despite those challenges, thousands of Canadians continue to step forward.

One donor from Edmonton described donation as “something you do for family.” Another spoke about the emotional experience of seeing someone regain their life because of the donation. Those comments capture something important.

Living donation is deeply personal. In many cases, donors are helping loved ones, like parents, children, spouses or siblings. But many donors also step forward to help complete strangers through paired exchange programs or anonymous donation systems. That level of generosity is extraordinary.

Honourable senators, I was also struck by the number of organizations, advocates and community leaders who have voiced support for this initiative. The material supporting this legislation includes endorsements from transplant recipients, donor advocates and awareness organizations across Canada. Their message is consistent: Recognition matters — not because donors seek public praise but because recognition helps elevate public awareness and reminds Canadians of the importance of organ donation.

In fact, many living donors say very little about their donation experience publicly. They simply move forward quietly after changing another person’s life forever. That humility makes their actions even more remarkable.

Honourable senators, Parliament has long recognized Canadians who demonstrate courage, sacrifice and service to others. We recognize military service. We recognize acts of bravery. We recognize extraordinary contributions to public life and community service. Living organ donors, unquestionably, belong in that category.

These individuals voluntarily undergo invasive medical procedures — not for personal gain, not for recognition, but purely to improve the life of another person. That is an extraordinary act of humanity. And while this medal is symbolic, symbols matter. National honours matter. Recognition matters, particularly in a time when, too often, public discourse focuses on division and negativity. This bill instead highlights compassion, generosity and service to others. It reminds Canadians of the very best qualities within our society.

Honourable senators, another important aspect of this legislation is its potential to encourage conversations around organ donation.

Many Canadians support organ donation in principle, but far fewer take concrete steps to register as donors or discuss their wishes with family members.

Awareness remains one of the biggest challenges. If legislation like this helps even one Canadian learn more about organ donation, register as a donor or have an important conversation with their family, then it will have had meaningful impact.

The debate in the other place also touched on the broader need to continue improving organ donation systems in Canada. While provinces administer health care systems and transplant programs, Parliament still has an important role to play in supporting awareness initiatives, encouraging national collaboration and recognizing Canadians who make extraordinary contributions to the lives of others.

This bill fits squarely within that role. It does not create financial incentives for donation, commercialize organ transplantation or alter medical eligibility standards or transplant systems. Rather, it simply ensures that Canadians who demonstrate extraordinary compassion through living donation receive formal national recognition.

Honourable senators, there are many ways to contribute to society. Some contributions occur in public life. Some occur through military service, volunteerism or philanthropy. And some occur quietly, in hospitals, operating rooms and recovery wards, where one Canadian makes the decision to help another person live.

Those acts may happen quietly, but they should not go unnoticed.

By establishing a living donor recognition medal, Parliament would affirm that Canada values compassion, selflessness and sacrifice. We would recognize Canadians whose extraordinary generosity has given others a second chance at life.

At a time when so much of our public discourse focuses on division, this bill reminds us of something profoundly important: that there are Canadians willing to endure hardship, recovery and personal risk simply to help another person live. That is worthy of recognition. That is worthy of gratitude. And that is worthy of Parliament’s support.

Honourable senators, I encourage all colleagues in this chamber to support Bill C-234 at second reading. Thank you.