Pan-Canadian Governance for Organ Donation and Transplantation
On this page
- About the pan-Canadian governance body
- Objectives
- Previous support structures
- Governance structure
- Associated links
About the Pan-Canadian governance body
The Pan-Canadian Governance Body for Organ Donation and Transplantation (ODT) is a transparent and formalized structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to support effective and efficient Pan-Canadian decision-making on funding, policy and program-related matters at the systems level. It is endorsed by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health (FPT CDM).
This governance body is made up of the federal government, provinces and territories, ODT sector stakeholders, Canadian Blood Services and patients working together to improve organ donation and transplantation services across the country.
Objectives
This governance body strives to boost Canada's performance in ODT systems and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Canadian Blood Services plays a critical role in this system as the national organization responsible for the coordination of ODT. A key value of this work is to engage patients, families, and donors meaningfully to advance patient interests by embedding them throughout the governance structure and requiring a patient lens on advice and recommendations to inform decision-making.
Previous support structures
With the creation of the Pan-Canadian Governance, the ODT Collaborative which was created to bridge gaps in system accountability and transparency, was dismantled. Over the past five years, the Collaborative, convened by Health Canada, with provinces and territories and Canadian Blood Services, worked with dedicated stakeholders to address a number of pan-Canadian issues including the development of a governance model. The work of the Collaborative gave way to the ODT Pan-Canadian Governance.
Governance structure
Three main committees operate within this structure to oversee, advise and provide input on the development and implementation of system recommendations.
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Federal-Provincial-Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Steering Committee (FPT ADM SC)
The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Steering Committee (FPT ADM SC) is comprised of ADM-level executives from the provincial/territorial ministries of health along with a federal ADM from Health Canada. Health Canada is Secretariat and permanent chair with a rotating PT co-chair. The FPT ADM SC reports directly to FPT CDM and provides direction and guidance to the other committees within the Governance structure. This committee held its inaugural meeting on July 2, 2024.
Contact: FPTADMSC.Secretariat-secretariat.CDSMAFPT@hc-sc.gc.ca -
System Operators Advisory Committee (SOAC)
The System Operators Advisory Committee (SOAC) is comprised of representatives who operate in and around the clinical level. Canadian Blood Services serves as Secretariat and permanent chair, along side an additional co-chair, who is appointed by the FPT ADM SC. The SOAC leads consultations and develops policy and program recommendations for consideration by the FPT ADM SC, through the work of various working groups and sub-committees. This committee held its inaugural meeting on April 22, 2025.
Contact: soac-ccas@blood.ca -
Patient Advocate Advisory Committee (PAAC)
The Patient Advocate Advisory Committee (PAAC) is comprised of representatives with lived experience and representatives from Pan-Canadian organizations identifying as patients, family, and donors or working as advocates. PAAC representatives are members of working groups and sub-committees, while PAAC co-chairs who are appointed by the FPT ADM SC, are members of the SOAC. PAAC, with Health Canada as Secretariat, supports efforts to ensure that the needs and interests of patients are embedded into the Governance work. This committee held its inaugural meeting on March 14, 2025
Contact: PAAC.Secretariat-secretariat.CCPDDP@hc-sc.gc.ca