When I was Deputy Minister of the Environment I told my staff I wanted to be taken for granted. In this role, and my other responsibilities in the Canadian Public Service, I always tried to serve the public and make Canada a better place. But I was happy to be a faceless bureaucrat, out of the limelight—known by my colleagues in government and on the Hill, but not by Canadians at large —to be taken for granted.

More than 23,000 donors across Canada needed by July 2

Individuals or groups who identify as belonging to a hate group – with apparel, signage or verbally – will be turned away (OTTAWA) – Canadian Blood Services is reminding Canadians that it will not tolerate the use of its locations or of the altruistic act of the gift of blood to propagate hateful views or beliefs. Canadian Blood Services was made aware that an organization with hateful and racist views planned to use the group’s blood donations to publicly draw attention to its views. “We already have policies in place that state that we are committed to fostering an environment of respect and

(Ottawa) – Today, during World Blood Donor Day, Canadian Blood Services would like to honour its 420,000 Canadian blood donors who save lives, as well as the millions of international donors who help contribute to the 108 million blood donations collected globally each year. “We are extremely lucky to have a safe and reliable blood supply that ensures Canadian patients receive blood products whenever and wherever they need them. Unfortunately in other parts of the world this is not the case,” said Mark Donnison, Vice-President of Donor Relations. “On World Blood Donor Day, we would like to

Over 101,000 donations of blood needed to help hospital patients this holiday season November 21, 2011 (OTTAWA) - As retailers scramble this holiday season to re-stock their shelves with holiday gifts, Canadian Blood Services is asking eligible Canadians to take one hour of their busy schedule to ensure our shelves are replenished with the gifts that will make a difference to hospital patients this season. Between November 21 and January 2, Canadian Blood Services is asking Canadians to give the “perfect gift” this holiday season – give blood. Over 101,000 life-saving “gifts” are needed for

November 09, 2011 (TORONTO) – The driving force behind increased South Asian participation in blood and stem cell donation, Dr. Abhijit Guha, lost his battle with leukemia on Tuesday, November 8 in Toronto. Dr. Guha was a respected community leader who fought courageously through his personal fight with leukemia to encourage all Canadian South Asians to make stem cell and blood donation a part of their civic responsibilities for all patients. Sue Smith, Executive Director, Stem Cells, remembers Dr. Guha as a trailblazer who brought together his community to establish South Asians 4 Life (SA4L)

Blood Signal activated heading Into Thanksgiving long weekend to highlight the need for blood donors this fall October 5, 2011 (OTTAWA) – Canadian Blood Services has activated the Blood Signal and is asking eligible Canadians to book an appointment to donate blood to help hospital patients in need as we approach the Thanksgiving long weekend. Starting with Thanksgiving, and over the next six weeks, Canadian Blood Services will need more than 6,000 additional donors to book appointments to meet the needs of hospital patients all across Canada. “The need for blood and blood products is constant

Nearly 100,000 life-saving “miracles” needed to help hospital patients December 3, 2012 (OTTAWA) – During the season of giving, you could give someone their holiday miracle. Between December 3rd and January 2nd, Canadian Blood Services is asking Canadians to give someone a holiday miracle – the gift of blood. Nearly 100,000 life-saving “miracles” are needed for hospital patients from coast to coast. Many hospital patients will spend their holiday receiving cancer treatment or undergoing life-saving surgery and emergency care – someone like Lauren. Lauren was only two years old when she was

FedEx Express Canada Announces Winners of National Blood Recruitment Challenge June 20, 2012 (MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO) - FedEx Express Canada today announced the winners of Young Blood for Life, a national high school recruitment program focused on encouraging blood donation among young people. The program was developed by Canadian Blood Services with prizes made possible through a $180,000 donation by FedEx Express Canada. Canadian high school students aged 17 and over donated 18,339 units of blood during the program - an increase of 34 percent in collections compared to 2010 – 2011. The program

Ten-year-old can still believe this holiday season, thanks to blood donors December 2, 2013 (OTTAWA) – If a child were to look you in the eye and ask if miracles exist, what would you say? The answer might prove difficult if that child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. As Canadian Blood Services launches its annual “Holiday Miracle” campaign (December 2, 2013 – January 4, 2014), people like 10-year-old Grace Hart might be wondering: if in the rush for presents, have people forgotten about miracles? Grace’s battle with diamond-blackfan anemia means that she needs regular blood