Protest at east Hamilton’s for-profit blood donation clinic

There was a protest in east Hamilton Tuesday, over a private plasma donation clinic that’s paying people for their blood.

Critics say it violates provincial law and undermines public health care, but supporters argue, it’s necessary to meet Canada’s growing medical needs.

Those who were protesting this clinic say the government has allowed a dangerous loophole to fester, one they argue puts profits ahead of patients.

Earlier Tuesday, dozens of protestors gathered outside this Grifols Plasma Donation clinic on Barton Street East, the message was loud and clear.

Some holding signs, others, carrying a life-sized effigy of Premier Doug Ford.

The issue of for-profit blood donation has been top of mind in Hamilton since June, when city council declared Hamilton a paid-plasma-free zone.

According to the Ontario voluntary blood donation act, Canadian blood services can pay for blood in extraordinary circumstances, but makes no mention of using third-party agents, to do so.