EDMONTON — The provincial government says it is working to pass a law that would make it easier for Albertans to sign up as organ donors.
The Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act has passed second reading.
Conservative member Len Webber is the author of the original version of the bill and says he believe it will save lives.
The province has faced dropping donation rates in more than two decades.
Officials said Alberta’s deceased organ donation rate was between 16 and 17 donors per million Albertans between 1995 and 2005, but dropped to five to seven donors per million by 2011.
It’s estimated that in Alberta, about 75 people will die while waiting for an organ each year.
The act will establish a single agency to look after organ and tissue donation in the province, including increasing public awareness.
Bill 207 will also create an organ and tissue consent-to-donate registry, which means those wishing to donate their organs or tissue will be allowed to provide online consent.