Transplant Québec Raises Concerns Over Planned Dissolution, Fearing Impact on Organ Donations and Lives Saved
Transplant Québec is expressing deep concern over the potential dissolution of its operations as outlined in Bill 7, cautioning that this move may lead to a drop in organ donors, interruptions in services, and a rise in preventable deaths. The organization is urgently calling on Quebec City to reconsider its decision.
In particular, Transplant Québec is appealing for the exclusion of any clauses in Bill 7 that would shift its functions to Héma-Québec, emphasizing the unique nature of its work.
The proposed legislation, known as the “Act to reduce bureaucracy, increase government efficiency, and strengthen the accountability of senior public servants,” aims to generate savings of $35 million by 2029-2030 by cutting staff positions, including a significant number in healthcare.
If approved in its current form, Héma-Québec would assume control of organ donation and transplantation services currently overseen by Transplant Québec, with funding for the latter set to cease on April 1, 2026.
During special consultations on Bill 7, Transplant Québec made a compelling case for the retention of its operational model. Martine Bouchard, the Executive Director, emphasized the life-saving impact of their work, highlighting the critical differences between their daily activities and those of Héma-Québec.
While Héma-Québec has moved to allay fears by committing to maintaining seamless organ donation services during and after the transition, Transplant Québec stresses the importance of preserving its decades of expertise in the field.
Héma-Québec, which already manages human tissue donation and distribution, distributed nearly 7,700 human tissues to hospitals in the province in 2024-2025.
