Bill C-630

3rd Session, 40th Parliament,

59-60 Elizabeth II, 2010-2011

house of commons of canada

BILL C-630

An Act respecting the collection of cord blood in Canada

Whereas the blood that is found in the umbilical cord of a newborn infant contains high numbers of stem cells;

Whereas umbilical cord blood stem cells have been used for over 20 years in the treatment of many conditions and diseases, including aplastic anemia, Hurler’s syndrome, lymphoid and myeloid leukemia, sickle cell disease and thalassemia and, on an experimental basis, in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and vascular disorders;

Whereas Canadians would benefit from an extensive collection of umbilical cord blood, reflecting the genetic diversity of Canada, that could be used to treat recipients who are matched for human leucocyte antigen (HLA);

And whereas the provinces and territories of Canada have determined that there is a need for a national collection of cord blood that should be managed by Canadian Blood Services and Hema-Quebec, but have not allocated financial resources to support its establishment;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Canadian Cord Blood Collection Act.

INTERPRETATION

2. In this Act, “Minister” means the Minister of Health.

STRATEGY CONFERENCE

3. The Minister shall, within six months after this Act comes into force, convene a national conference of all provincial and territorial ministers responsible for health matters for the purpose of determining the most effective strategy for establishing, administering and funding a national collection of cord blood.

REPORT TO PARLIAMENT

4. The Minister shall cause a report setting out a plan of action for establishing, administering and funding a national collection of cord blood to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first five days that that House is sitting following the expiration of 180 days after the end of the conference.