How to Become an Organ and Tissue Donor In Canada
A province-by-province guide
Since health care is a provincial matter in Canada, every province has its own ways of handling organ donor registries. Here are the details for each province.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Transplant Society maintains a legally binding organ donor registry, which has replaced all previous methods of indicating intent to donate organs. You can register on the Transplant Society's website, by phone (1-800-663-6189) or by mail-in form -- click here for details.
Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories
Alberta does not have an organ donor registry at this time, although you can make your wishes known by signing the back of your health card.
For more information, contact the H.O.P.E. (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange) Program:
• For Calgary and southern Alberta, call 403-944-8700
• For Edmonton and northern Alberta, as well as for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, call 780-407-8411
Yukon
Yukon Health and Social Services offers information on becoming a donor on its website. For information on how to become an organ donor with the Yukon Organ Donor Program, call 1-867-667-5209 or 1-800-661-0408, local 5209.
Saskatchewan
To show that you want to become a potential donor in Saskatchewan, place the orange "organ and tissue donor" sticker (included in each health services card package) on your health card. More information is available on Saskatchewan Health's website or by calling them at 1-800-667-7551.
Manitoba
To become an organ donor in Manitoba, in addition to informing your family of your wishes, you should sign a donor card and carry it with your health card. Donor cards are available from Manitoba Health's website or by calling 204-787-1897.
Ontario
In Ontario, YOU CAN NOW REGISTER YOUR INTENTIONS ON-LINE!!! Go to www.beadonor.ca . If you had previously signed a donor card, it is not recorded with the Ministry of Health, and your intentions will be unknown if your card is not with you.
Quebec
To indicate your willingness to donate organs and tissues in Quebec, obtain a free donation sticker and apply it to your health card. Stickers are available at CLSCs, hospitals or drugstores.
Quebec Transplant coordinates organ donation in Quebec. For more information, visit their website, or phone them at 1-877-463-6366.
Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia you can register your wish for organ and tissue donation on your health card on renewal. You can also call MSI at 1-800-563-8880 and a donor registration form will be mailed to you. Legacy Of Life offers more information on organ donation in Nova Scotia.
New Brunswick
New Medicare cards have your wishes about organ donation clearly displayed; you can make your intent known on your renewal form. If you would like to show your desire to become a donor before your card is up for renewal, contact Service New Brunswick at 1-888-762-8600.
Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can show you wish to be a donor by signing a donor card or indicating your decision on your driver's license. For more information, contact the Department of Health and Community Services at 709-729-4984.
Prince Edward Island
According to InfoPEI, the province doesn't have an organ donor card, but there are a number of ways to make your wishes known, in addition to discussing them with your family:
• You can place a red sticker on your P.E.I. health card. The sticker is mailed to you with your health card renewal form.
• You can have a red heart engraved on your driver's license at the time of renewal. If you have already renewed your driver's license, you can still go to the Ministry of Transportation offices and they will add it for free.
• You can express your wish to donate organs and tissues in writing when preparing your health care directive.
Since health care is a provincial matter in Canada, every province has its own ways of handling organ donor registries. Here are the details for each province.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Transplant Society maintains a legally binding organ donor registry, which has replaced all previous methods of indicating intent to donate organs. You can register on the Transplant Society's website, by phone (1-800-663-6189) or by mail-in form -- click here for details.
Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories
Alberta does not have an organ donor registry at this time, although you can make your wishes known by signing the back of your health card.
For more information, contact the H.O.P.E. (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange) Program:
• For Calgary and southern Alberta, call 403-944-8700
• For Edmonton and northern Alberta, as well as for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, call 780-407-8411
Yukon
Yukon Health and Social Services offers information on becoming a donor on its website. For information on how to become an organ donor with the Yukon Organ Donor Program, call 1-867-667-5209 or 1-800-661-0408, local 5209.
Saskatchewan
To show that you want to become a potential donor in Saskatchewan, place the orange "organ and tissue donor" sticker (included in each health services card package) on your health card. More information is available on Saskatchewan Health's website or by calling them at 1-800-667-7551.
Manitoba
To become an organ donor in Manitoba, in addition to informing your family of your wishes, you should sign a donor card and carry it with your health card. Donor cards are available from Manitoba Health's website or by calling 204-787-1897.
Ontario
In Ontario, YOU CAN NOW REGISTER YOUR INTENTIONS ON-LINE!!! Go to www.beadonor.ca . If you had previously signed a donor card, it is not recorded with the Ministry of Health, and your intentions will be unknown if your card is not with you.
Quebec
To indicate your willingness to donate organs and tissues in Quebec, obtain a free donation sticker and apply it to your health card. Stickers are available at CLSCs, hospitals or drugstores.
Quebec Transplant coordinates organ donation in Quebec. For more information, visit their website, or phone them at 1-877-463-6366.
Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia you can register your wish for organ and tissue donation on your health card on renewal. You can also call MSI at 1-800-563-8880 and a donor registration form will be mailed to you. Legacy Of Life offers more information on organ donation in Nova Scotia.
New Brunswick
New Medicare cards have your wishes about organ donation clearly displayed; you can make your intent known on your renewal form. If you would like to show your desire to become a donor before your card is up for renewal, contact Service New Brunswick at 1-888-762-8600.
Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can show you wish to be a donor by signing a donor card or indicating your decision on your driver's license. For more information, contact the Department of Health and Community Services at 709-729-4984.
Prince Edward Island
According to InfoPEI, the province doesn't have an organ donor card, but there are a number of ways to make your wishes known, in addition to discussing them with your family:
• You can place a red sticker on your P.E.I. health card. The sticker is mailed to you with your health card renewal form.
• You can have a red heart engraved on your driver's license at the time of renewal. If you have already renewed your driver's license, you can still go to the Ministry of Transportation offices and they will add it for free.
• You can express your wish to donate organs and tissues in writing when preparing your health care directive.
Become a member of the Life: Pass It On Transplant Society by making a donation.
