Your Digest

Important changes to the defined contribution pension plan

In addition to an engaging experience and fulfilling work, Canadian Blood Services offers employees comprehensive benefits, including pension plans to support employees in saving for retirement. The plans are reviewed every five years and after the most recent review, the decision was made to wind-up the defined contribution (DC) plan in February 2025. All DC plan members will automatically be enrolled in the defined benefit (DB) plan at that time, for future service. The DB plan is not changing. Learn more about this development and the advantages that the DB plan offers to employees.

March DEI event to feature Indigenous health expert  

Canadian Blood Services is continuing its journey towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and communities. To help further support organizational learning, the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) team has invited guest speaker, Dr. Elisa Levi, RD, MPH, MD, to deliver a talk on March 14, 2023, from 1–2:30 p.m. ET. Dr. Levi is Anishinaabe from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and possesses dual designation as a registered dietician and as a Doctor of Medicine. Her talk, Canadian Blood Services and Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Wellness, will explore how Indigenous peoples seek to determine their own pathways to wellness. Dr. Levi will also discuss how we must all play a role to ensure the safety, health and well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit patients, donors and colleagues. The session will help bring to life some of the goals and commitments laid out in Canadian Blood Services’ Reconciliation Action Plan. Register here. 

Thank you to our St. Catharines whole blood donor centre staff 

At the end of this month, the St. Catharines donor centre in Ontario will end operations to prepare for the transition of the community to plasma donation. We would like to extend a thank you to the donor centre team for their dedication and commitment to donors and patients over the years. We hope to welcome local blood donors at the new plasma donor centre this spring. Those who wish to continue to donate blood will be able to do so at the Burlington and Ancaster donor centres and at mobile events in nearby communities. We will continue to hold blood donation events for O-negative and rare blood donors in the St. Catharines area. Visit Yammer to share your thanks with the St. Catharines team. 

Question of the day

Why are we still increasing collections at some sites if the inventory of blood supplies has leveled off nationally? 

Our organization is committed to ensuring optimal inventory of blood and blood products for hospital patients by responding to changes in demand and supply conditions. Currently, the RBC inventory is at its lower optimal level, and it will take a collective effort to maintain and grow it through Q4. Lower inventory can be addressed by expanding collection capacity through more events or by adjusting their size and hours. 

Moving forward, the fresh blood product integrated supply chain planning team is transitioning to a monthly integrated business planning cycle, which will provide more agility and responsiveness. The planning team considers various factors such as network changes, process implementations, and opportunities for donor participation and diversification when planning events for national RBC and regional platelet sufficiency. For more information on event planning changes, please reach out to your regional leadership team.