The need for life-saving organ transplants in Canada remains high. Every year, hundreds of Canadians die while waiting for an organ transplant, and there are thousands still waiting. For instance, there were 91 deaths in 2023 while waiting for a Kidney transplant, and 2,522 people were waiting for a kidney transplant (CIHI, 2025). Despite increasing awareness of the importance of organ donation, the supply of organs does not meet demand. Only a fraction of Canadians are registered as donors.
As we know, buying or selling organs in Canada is illegal. Organs must be donated, and many efforts are being made across Canada to increase donations and awareness. For instance, Nova Scotia was the first jurisdiction in North America to pass deemed consent legislation for organ donation. People who filed taxes in Ontario and Nunavut for the 2022 tax year can seek information about organ and tissue donation. In SK, residents are encouraged to register online for organ donation. Previously, SK Health sent out stickers with the health card renewals.
However, a standard economic argument is that a market-like solution might eliminate the present shortage of human organs for transplant. Based on your understanding of the material discussed in our modules/textbook, what are your thoughts on creating the organ market? Besides ethical and moral objections, do you think the market will increase citizens’ access to organs and reduce the waitlist? Will there be more supply of organs if people are allowed to sell them? What about healthcare costs?
module1-4 needs to be referenced!!