Health committee  We certainly welcome any time there's an opportunity to have another touchpoint for Canadians to consider organ donation and register their wishes, yes or no, so their families are aware of those wishes. Certainly we would want to ensure this specific bill is done in a very thoughtful manner so there's very explicit education to Canadians across the country that this is going to be a change.

Health committee  This is very rare in B.C., so we don't know where that figure came from. As Ronnie was just saying, it usually has to do with something related to the family feeling very overwhelmed in a very tragic situation and wanting something to happen very quickly, and we're not able to mobilize.

Health committee  Yes, we'd be happy to, and thank you for raising it. This is creating another touchpoint for British Columbians. As they come in to register, get their driver's licence renewed, those customer representatives have been educated through a fulsome program by B.C. Transplant and our community outreach professionals, and they take pride in having those conversations with British Columbians.

Health committee  It's wonderful timing.

Health committee  B.C.'s investment in the implementation of these deceased donation strategies has led to a 150% increase in referrals of potential donors from hospitals between 2013 and 2017. B.C.'s deceased donor rate has increased by 81% from 67 donors in 2013 to 121 donors in 2017. The year 2017 was a record in B.C. for the number of donors, a year in which a record 479 lives were saved through transplants.

Health committee  Thank you very much for this opportunity. My name is Leanne Appleton. I am the provincial executive director for B.C. Transplant, the organization with a provincial mandate for leadership and governance of organ donation and transplantation here in British Columbia. We are a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority.