Chamber
quebec
Stage
Introduced
This Quebec bill would make organ and tissue donation the default after death unless a person has opted out.
Key Changes
- Establishes a legal presumption that all Quebec residents consent to organ and tissue donation after death
- Shifts the system from opt-in (active registration required) to opt-out (individuals must actively refuse)
- Requires individuals who do not wish to donate to formally register their refusal
- Affects how medical professionals and families are guided when a person dies and no explicit refusal is on record
Gotchas
- The bill does not include the full text of its specific provisions in the available source, so details about exceptions, family override rights, or the opt-out registration process are not confirmed here
- Presumed consent systems in other jurisdictions often include provisions allowing family members to object, but whether this bill does so is not clear from available information
- Religious, cultural, or personal objections to donation would require individuals to proactively register a refusal, placing the burden of action on those who do not wish to donate
- The bill passed adoption in principle unanimously (104–0), suggesting broad cross-party support, but detailed amendments may still occur at committee stage
- The bill was re-instated in a new legislative session, meaning it did not complete its full passage before the previous session ended
Who's Affected
- All Quebec residents (who would be presumed donors unless they opt out)
- Patients waiting for organ or tissue transplants
- Families of deceased individuals
- Hospitals and healthcare workers involved in organ procurement
- Transplant organizations and registries in Quebec
Vibes
0 responses
Gotchas
- The bill does not include the full text of its specific provisions in the available source, so details about exceptions, family override rights, or the opt-out registration process are not confirmed here
- Presumed consent systems in other jurisdictions often include provisions allowing family members to object, but whether this bill does so is not clear from available information
- Religious, cultural, or personal objections to donation would require individuals to proactively register a refusal, placing the burden of action on those who do not wish to donate
- The bill passed adoption in principle unanimously (104–0), suggesting broad cross-party support, but detailed amendments may still occur at committee stage
- The bill was re-instated in a new legislative session, meaning it did not complete its full passage before the previous session ended
Summary
Bill 194 is a private member's bill introduced in the Quebec National Assembly by MNA André Fortin. It proposes changing Quebec's organ and tissue donation system from 'opt-in' (where people must actively register to donate) to 'opt-out' (where everyone is presumed to have consented to donation after death unless they have specifically indicated otherwise during their lifetime). This type of system is often called 'presumed consent' or a 'soft opt-out' model. The goal is to increase the number of available organs and tissues for transplant, which can save or improve the lives of patients on waiting lists. Many countries and some Canadian provinces have moved toward similar models in recent years. The bill was introduced in April 2023 and passed its adoption in principle unanimously (104–0) in June 2023. It was then sent to the Committee on Health and Social Services for detailed review. The bill was re-instated in the 43rd Legislature's 2nd Session in October 2025, meaning it is still being considered.
Automatically generated from bill text using Claude
Vibes
0 responses