Alberta introduces legislation to ban donating blood, plasma for profit

EDMONTON — Alberta is taking action to prevent donors from selling their blood and plasma for a profit.

The changes are included in the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, introduced in the legislature by Health Minister Sarah Hoffman.

If passed, Alberta will join Quebec and Ontario in banning the practice.

There are two private blood clinics up and running — one in Saskatoon and another in Winnipeg — and officials say this bill will prevent a similar operation from setting up in Alberta.