Bill C-210 was adopted in 2021, allowing the CRA to add a question to the income tax and benefit return asking taxpayers, for the first time ever, if they want to receive information about organ donation by email from their provincial or territorial government. By consenting, the CRA can share the taxpayer's contact information with the province or territory exclusively for this purpose. This is BCT's first time taking part with approximately one million positive responses.
“We know that people in British Columbia overwhelmingly support organ donation, but only about one in three have taken the step to register their decision," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “I hope that this email campaign from BC Transplant will be the nudge people need to make it official. It is wonderful to see people coming together like this to save lives."
After a small sample test of the email campaign in September, the bulk of the emails will start to go out later this week. The email campaign should wrap up in a few weeks.
“One of BC Transplant's mandates is to increase awareness about organ donation and transplantation. Since most Canadians are required to file an income tax and benefit return each year, collaborating with the CRA gives us a unique opportunity to directly reach many British Columbians," said Eric Lun, BC Transplant executive director.
There are currently 589 people in BC awaiting their second chance at life. One deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives.
If you don't want to wait for the email to arrive in your inbox, go online today and register your decision at
registeryourdecision.ca. You only need your Personal Health Number (PHN) and it takes just two minutes. Not sure if you are already registered? You can verify if you are registered with your PHN at
checkyourdecision.ca.
BC was the first province to implement an online organ donor registry system. Since 1997, an individual's organ donation decision is linked to your PHN in the online database and not tied to their driver's licence.
In BC, anyone can register their decision at any age, young or old. People who register under 19 years of age, either themselves or by a parent, need to re-register their decision once they turn 19.
Learn More
BC Transplant,
a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), provides provincial oversight for all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC.
With compassion, collaboration and innovation, we will save lives and offer hope through organ donation and transplantation. BC's three transplant centres are BC Children's Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. Transplant patients receive follow-up care at the transplant centres or at one of eight regional clinics close to their home community. For more information, visit www.transplant.bc.ca or follow us @BC_Transplant.
The
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized
health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the
xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam),
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and
səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit
www.phsa.ca or
follow us @PHSAofBC.
Elaine Yong
Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
BC Transplant
604.789.0446
PHSA Media line: 778.867.7472
