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OTTAWA - Health Minister Allan Rock, on behalf
of the federal government, today released the final
report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System
in Canada (Krever Commission).
The Commission was established October 4, 1993. It
held over 250 days of public hearings and heard from
over 350 witnesses. The Commission released its interim
report in February of 1995.
Minister Rock thanked Justice Horace Krever for the
Commission's work. "On behalf of the government, I would
like to thank Justice Krever for the remarkable work he
has done. His report will be a lasting contribution to
the health and safety of Canadians. His examination of
Canada's blood system has been carried out in a
thorough, professional manner."
Minister Rock, in emphasizing the government's
commitment to provide Canadians with a full response to
Justice Krever's report as soon as possible, announced
as an immediate step, the creation of a Blood Safety
Council, which will include members from blood consumers
groups and the scientific and medical communities. This
Council will, on an ongoing basis, advise the federal
government on matters of blood safety, and act as a
"watchdog" as the government implements Justice Krever's
recommendations
(executive list attached).
Minister Rock announced today that $13 million in new
money will be allocated to Health Canada on an on-going
basis to assist with blood regulatory and surveillance
renewal.
In commenting on the testimony of victims who
appeared before Justice Krever's Commission, the
Minister said, "We have all been moved by the testimony
and the courage of those who were injured as a result of
tragedies which occurred in the past. Now that we have
Justice Krever's report, it is time to translate our
sorrow into a genuine and tangible commitment to avoid
any such tragedies repeating themselves in the future.
Justice Krever emphasized that many problems of the
blood system resulted from lack of coordination among
the various institutions involved. Since February, 1996,
provincial and territorial governments, and others
concerned with the blood system have been working
cooperatively to develop a new structure for Canada's
blood system. Governments have agreed that the new
system will be operated under a new single agency, the
Canadian Blood Services. The new agency will be
accountable and open to public scrutiny. A Transition
Bureau has been established to manage smooth transition
to the new system.
Minister Rock said that volunteers and
donors are the heart of the blood system. Canadians owe
them a debt that can never be repaid. He strongly urged
donors to continue to give blood which is vital to the
health and well being of their fellow citizens.
See also:
Media Inquiries:
Derek Kent
Minister's Office
(613) 957-1515
NOTE TO EDITORS
The Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood
System in Canada is available to the public through
bookstores that sell Government publications, or from
Canadian Government Publishing, Ottawa, K1A 0S9. Public
orders can be placed by calling 1-800-635-7943; Fax
(819) 994-1498. VISA and Mastercard orders:
1-800-565-7757.
Ordering Information is also available on the
Internet:
publications.pwgsc.gc.ca
Related releases:
October 14, 1997
September 11, 1997 (documents released at the
meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers
of Health in Fredericton, New Brunswick)
August 27, 1997
August 20, 1997
August 1, 1997
July 22, 1997
September 10, 1996
April 25, 1996
March 11, 1996
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