Leaving Canadian Blood Services Will Be Expensive

The Provincial Government has finally released the long awaited report from KPMG on blood services. It concludes replacing Canadian Blood Services with a new provincial blood system would cost tens of millions of dollars. According to the report, partnering up with Quebec would also be expensive.

The estimated start up cost for both options is in the range of 23 to 40 million dollars. In addition, it's estimated the annual costs would be from 15 to 30 per cent higher than staying with Canadian Blood Services. The province contributes about 25 million dollars a year to C-B-S.

 Provincial Health Minister Madelaine Dube says her preferred option is to keep the Saint John blood processing centre open and is vowing to fight for that. It is scheduled to be relocated to Dartmouth a couple of years down the road.