STATEMENT: SENATE MOTION CALLING ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE HIV FUNDING WELCOMED BY CIVIL SOCIETY

The following can be attributed to Richard Elliott, Executive Director, HIV Legal Network.

 

December 1, 2020 – Ottawa – For far too long, year-over-year, the HIV response in Canada has been stalled, with funding flat-lined. More than $123 million in federal funding that was committed to addressing this pandemic has simply never been delivered. Much-needed services are absent and some organizations have shut down. People living with or affected by HIV have suffered and new infections have resulted when they could have been prevented.

Given our current context, we know all too well the critical importance of investing in public health. The COVID-19 and HIV pandemics both underscore the importance of respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights in order to respond effectively to an ongoing public health challenge that is fueled by — and exacerbates — social and economic inequalities.

Today, on World AIDS Day (December 1), we are pleased that Independent Senator René Cormier has introduced a motion in the Senate that draws attention to the need to strengthen Canada’s HIV response. The motion calls upon the Government of Canada to adequately fund the federal HIV response at the level of $100 million annually, as was unanimously recommended by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health more than a year ago. We unequivocally support this motion and urge federal leaders in both houses to recommit to ending HIV, in Canada and around the world.

The time is now for Canada to be a true public health and human rights leader. Further inaction cannot be an option.

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Read the text of the Senate motion (Notice Paper, Motion No. 44): https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/432/orderpaper/011op_2020-11-17-e

 

Read a policy brief outlining stalled federal HIV funding: HIV: Funding the Fight

Visit www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/fundingthefight

 

Media Contact:

Janet Butler-McPhee, Director of Communications and Advocacy, HIV Legal Network

Mobile: 647-295-0861               Email: jbutler@aidslaw.ca