Canadian Blood Services (CBS)

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that was established in 1998 and is the national supplier of blood and blood products to all provinces and territories, (excluding Quebec, which is served by Hema-Quebec).

CBS operates at arm's length from governments and is responsible for managing all aspects of an accountable and fully integrated blood system. CBS was created based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Health regarding their respective roles and responsibilities in Canada's blood system.

CBS's core operation functions include donor recruitment and management; whole blood and plasma collection; testing; processing; storage and distribution; and inventory management. CBS also manages an Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry (UBMDR).

Ontario participates in both the governance and funding of CBS.

Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, along with other participating Ministers of Health (except Quebec), is a corporate member of CBS. Ministers of Health are not involved with the day-to-day operations as CBS is an independent agency and operates at arm's length from government. Corporate members are responsible for:

• the provision and overall expenditure of public funds in delivering the blood program;
• selecting a Board of Directors;
• the effectiveness of the blood supply system

For more information on the Canadian Blood Services visit their website at www.blood.ca.