Alberta Organ Donor Question on Tax Returns

Summary#

• This bill tells Alberta’s income tax minister to ask the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help collect organ and tissue donor information through tax returns.

• The goal is to make it easier for people to join or update Alberta’s organ and tissue donor registry.

• Key points:

  • The minister must make the request to CRA within one year after the law takes effect.
  • If CRA agrees, the minister must sign an agreement so CRA can collect and share donor information from tax returns with Alberta.
  • The agreement would be used to set up or keep Alberta’s donor registry up to date.
  • If the agreement is signed, this law ends automatically.
  • If CRA does not agree, nothing changes.

What it means for you#

• Alberta residents who file taxes:

  • You could see a new question on your income tax return asking about organ and tissue donation.
  • If you choose to provide information, CRA would pass it to Alberta’s donor registry so your decision is recorded or updated.
  • Details like exactly what information is collected and how consent works would be set in the agreement, not in this bill.

• People waiting for transplants and their families:

  • Easier sign‑up may increase the number of registered donors, which could help more patients.
  • A more complete registry can speed up matching when time matters.

• Health system:

  • A larger and more accurate registry could help planning and coordination for donations and transplants.

• Privacy‑minded individuals:

  • Your tax return may include a new prompt related to health decisions.
  • What is shared, how it is stored, and how you can change your choice would depend on the agreement between Alberta and CRA.

• Government of Alberta:

  • Must request the agreement within a year.
  • Would receive donor information from CRA if an agreement is reached and must manage it in the provincial registry.

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: No publicly available information.

• The bill does not include cost figures.
• Any costs would depend on the terms of the agreement with CRA (for example, system changes, data sharing, and registry administration).

Proponents' View#

• Making registration part of tax filing is simple and familiar, so more people are likely to sign up or update their status.
• A bigger donor pool can save lives and reduce wait times for transplants.
• Using existing tax forms is a low‑effort way to keep the registry current each year.
• People keep full choice; this is about convenience, not automatic enrollment.
• Better data sharing can reduce errors and make sure a person’s wishes are known.

Opponents' View#

• Tax returns collect financial data; adding health‑related choices may feel intrusive or raise privacy concerns.
• Sharing information between CRA and the province could worry people who fear misuse or data breaches.
• The bill does not spell out safeguards, what exact data is shared, or how consent can be changed—those are left to a later agreement.
• Alberta already has a donor registry; critics may see this as duplicative unless it clearly boosts registrations.
• Some may prefer different approaches (for example, stronger public education or other sign‑up points) instead of involving tax forms.