Editor’s note: This is the first story in a two-part series about the introduction of the paid plasma donation industry in Toronto and the residents who are now earning money from these facilities.
Amid an ongoing cost of living crisis, some cash-strapped Torontonians are turning to a new, controversial way to get by: selling their blood plasma.
The new income-generating strategy has been made possible by the opening of two new paid plasma collection clinics — one in North York, in July, and the other in Etobicoke, in August — which offer up to $100 per visit.
The purchase of blood plasma is illegal in Ontario. However, after facing a shortage of plasma donations during the pandemic, Canadian Blood Services utilized an exemption to that rule in 2022 and entered into an agreement with Spanish pharmaceutical company Grifols, permitting the business to pay Canadians for their plasma.
As part of that agreement, the for-profit company has established several new clinics across Ontario, including the two new locations in Toronto as well as in Whitby and Hamilton.
The sites are not without controversy.
Last fall, with word of the planned Toronto clinics, city council passed a symbolic motion declaring the municipality a “paid plasma free zone.” This week, Coun. Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), who spearheaded last year’s motion, told TorontoToday he believes these clinics are a mistake.
“The opening of a paid plasma clinic is horribly wrong-headed to me because of the risk of for-profit companies seeking to maximize their profits by exploiting people who are vulnerable and struggling to make ends meet,” Moise said in an emailed statement.
“That isn’t something that should ever happen in a country like Canada or a city like Toronto.”
Attracted by the money
On Tuesday afternoon, TorontoToday waited outside the Grifols’ North York clinic between noon and 1 p.m. and witnessed about 15 people enter the facility. Of the four who agreed to an interview, all said they were there to donate plasma because they need money.
Asked for his reason for being there, a man from Scarborough who appeared to be in his 40s, said he was “f—ing broke.”
“I came out because I’m on [Ontario Works] and I get f— all for money,” he said. “I can’t even afford to eat, so that’s why I’ve come here to give my blood.”
In Ontario, a single person with no children receives $733 per month on Ontario Works, which is supposed to cover both basic expenses and shelter. In recent years, advocates have demanded the provincial government increase OW rates, which have remained frozen since 2018 despite the cost of housing, food and other necessities rising significantly.
The man, who like others spoke with TorontoToday on the condition of anonymity, said he learned about Grifols via the company’s paid ads on Instagram.
He said he has been paid to donate plasma six times so far and plans to continue in the future, unless he gets a job, in which case he will stop.
Others shared similar stories.
A man in his 60s who lives near Finch and Bathurst streets said after learning about Grifols via the company’s paid social media ads, he has gone to both its Toronto locations and given plasma 14 or 15 times.
The man, who is self-employed, said he comes when he’s having income issues. He said he believes the payment amount should be higher.
During their first three visits, individuals are typically paid $100 for their plasma. Thereafter, the fee is lower, often between $40 and $60.
A third woman who spoke with TorontoToday by telephone on Monday said she also visits the clinic because she is low on money.
The 48-year-old said she works as a self-employed cleaner, but said her finances are particularly tight now because of Christmas expenses and because she is still in the process of paying off a federal business loan she took out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said she has given blood three times at the Grifols clinic in North York in the last two weeks and plans to continue for another several weeks in order to earn about $800.
Asked why she did not want her name used in this story, she said it was “embarrassing” to be earning money in this manner at her age.
Concerns about exploitation
Natalie Mehra, executive director of advocacy group Ontario Health Coalition, said it is appalling that a multinational pharmaceutical company is allowed to pay Ontarians for their blood plasma.
“It exploits the poor and the desperate in a way that is hair-raising,” she said. “It crosses a moral boundary that should not be crossed.”
Mehra said that about a decade ago, health advocates fought to bring in the Ontario law that makes it illegal to pay for plasma and other blood products. At the time, the company Canadian Plasma Resources was poised to set up several paid plasma clinics in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Those plans were cancelled because of Queen’s Park’s ban. Grifols later acquired Canadian Plasma Resources.
It’s “shocking” that the government is permitting Canadian Blood Services (CBS) to now work with Grifols in this way, Mehra said, noting that the firm has come under scrutiny after a ProPublica investigation found it was relying heavily on low-income Mexicans who crossed the border to give their plasma at American clinics. (The U.S. Border Patrol banned the practice following the news outlet’s reporting.)
CBS has warned that Canada fails the self-sufficiency test when it comes to collecting blood plasma, meaning Canadians alone do not donate enough to meet demand.
For many years, about 80 per cent of the immunoglobulin, which is derived from plasma, utilized by CBS has been imported from the United States where paid donations are legal and commonplace.
Since Grifols began collecting paid plasma on behalf of the agency, there has been an increase in the amount of plasma collected domestically, according to an emailed statement from CBS.
“From the time of entering into our agreement with Grifols, we have reported an increase in domestic plasma sufficiency for immunoglobulins from approximately 15 per cent to 31 per cent, as of the end of September 2025,” CBS said.
In an emailed statement to TorontoToday, Grifols said clients are compensated “because of the effort and commitment involved in being a regular plasma donor.”
Individuals who spoke with TorontoToday said a typical appointment at the clinic takes about two hours.
During a visit, the client’s blood is drawn in much the same way as typical blood donation. Once removed, the plasma is separated, and the red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to the client, according to Grifols.
The collected plasma is then used in hospital settings to treat conditions like liver failure or severe infection, as well as to make medications, which thousands of people rely on to treat life-threatening conditions, per CBS.
Mehra said she is worried the paid plasma industry risks a repeat of the 1980s’ tainted blood scandal that exposed thousands of Canadians to HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood products.
Health Canada’s website says that much has changed since a national commission recommended against paid plasma collection. It says there is “no difference in safety between products made from volunteer and paid donors.”
“Technology has advanced significantly over the years and made these products safer,” according to Health Canada.
People giving plasma say the money is worth it
The man in his 60s who spoke with TorontoToday on Tuesday said people concerned about paid plasma being exploitative “have a good point.”
He believes people who give plasma should get a greater cut of the revenue that the collection company earns from selling it.
Grifols’ 2024 financial statement attributed its “accelerated” revenue growth, in part, to increased blood and plasma donations across its 390 collection sites and 930,000 donors globally.
Other people TorontoToday spoke with said they find giving plasma to be worth it even at Grifols’ current rate.
The 48-year-old Parkdale resident said the money she has made giving plasma has helped pay for her son’s Christmas presents.
She described her decision to continue to give plasma in much the same way as one might describe any other job.
“For the first three visits, it’s $100,” she said. “So even with travel time I’m still making $25 per hour.”
—With files from TorontoToday’s Allison Smith
Editor’s note: Tomorrow, TorontoToday will publish part two of this series which explores the marketing practices and financial incentives being used by Grifols to encourage people to give blood plasma.