The federal health minister says Health Canada will consult before granting any approvals for new clinics that would pay people to provide blood plasma.

Leona Aglukkaq says Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world, and she wants to help keep it that way.
   
Ontario raised concerns about the clinics and is calling on Health Canada to delay any approvals until it has consulted the provinces and other groups.
   
Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews says it would be irresponsible to allow a shift towards a paid-donor system without first determining its impact.
   
Canadian Plasma Resources lists three plasma-donor clinics in Toronto and Hamilton on its website, but requires Health Canada approval before it can open its doors.
   
On its website, the company says it will ``compensate'' people for blood plasma and suggests high school students could count donations towards their volunteer hours.
   
Plasma is a component of blood that contains many proteins and can be used to treat diseases.