Petition to the Premier and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Subject: Organ donation after death

In Ontario we have internationally renowned organ transplant facilities with the highest levels of expertise and medical technology.

At the same time, there is a critical shortage of organs available for transplant. Nearly 2,000 Ontarians are now waiting to receive an organ that could save their lives. Last year, on average, one Ontarian every three days died while waiting for a transplant.

In view of the above, we, the undersigned, ask the Government of Ontario to institute the following:

1. A comprehensive public-awareness and education campaign involving collaboration among the government, medical professionals, the media, and the public education systems with the goal of increasing the number of people who authorize the donation of their organs after death.

2. Change in legislation and policies that will encourage and facilitate organ donation, including a consideration of presumed-consent legislation.

Under presumed-consent legislation, Ontarians would be presumed to be organ donors unless they indicated otherwise. This type of legislation has already been successfully implemented in Australia, in many European countries, and in other places around the world. It allows citizens to opt out orally or in writing. Families of the deceased may also object to organ donation and have the final word.