In a significant step forward for OPSEU/SEFPO’s campaign against paid-plasma in Ontario, Toronto has officially been declared a paid-plasma-free zone.
On November 13, Toronto City Council passed the motion signifying its opposition to private, for-profit blood collection in the city. The motion was brought forward by Councilor Chris Moise and seconded by Councilor Alejandra Bravo.
“The practice of collecting blood in exchange for payment is immoral and exploits Ontario’s vulnerable communities. It endangers Ontario’s blood supply and puts patients at risk, said Geoff Cain, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Blood Services & Diagnostics sector. “I applaud Toronto City Council for safeguarding the integrity of our public, voluntary blood donation system.”
OPSEU/SEFPO members working for Canadian Blood Services (CBS) have been fighting against the expansion of paid plasma in Ontario after an agreement was signed between CBS and private pharmaceutical corporation, Grifols, to open five paid plasma centres in the province: Etobicoke, North York, Hamilton, Cambridge and Whitby.
Both Hamilton and Toronto City Councils have now declared their opposition to paid plasma in their cities; however, the responsibility for blood regulation ultimately lies with the provincial and federal governments.
“This is a significant step forward to ban paid plasma from our province,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “Ontario’s cities are speaking out to protect their residents, yet the Ford government continues to choose profits over people. We cannot let Canadian Blood Services, and the Ford government, exploit donors and put the safety of our blood supply – and our lives – in jeopardy.”
Canada’s tainted blood scandal, which occurred in the 1980s, took the lives of 8,000 Ontarians. Following this, the 1997 Krever Inquiry report looking into this preventable tragedy made the following recommendations: Canada’s blood system should be a public resource; donors should not be paid for blood; and access to blood products should be universal and free.
To support CBS workers in the fight against paid plasma in Ontario, visit opseu.org/nopaidplasma