QUESTION PERIOD — Justice—Finance
Canada's Commitment to the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
June 15, 2021
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, last week, the United Nations adopted the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030.
The declaration establishes targets of 95-95-95 by 2025 and reiterates the urgency of taking action against discrimination, inequality, criminalization and exclusion faced by people living with HIV and key populations. Canada’s support for this declaration demonstrates our commitment to this file.
That said, in Canada, inequality and discrimination remain pervasive among key populations, mainly because of the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure.
What steps does the government intend to take in the short term with respect to the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure?
How will the government honour its commitments relative to this declaration knowing that we did not meet our targets of 90-90-90 for 2020?
Thank you for raising this issue, honourable senator.
The government is committed to reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV or AIDS. The government knows that excessive criminalization can lead to an increase in infection rates because it deters Canadians from having an HIV test and seeking treatment.
That is why, in December 2018, the Attorney General of Canada issued a directive regarding prosecutions of HIV non-disclosure cases. According to this directive, prosecutions of HIV non-disclosure cases must be based on the most recent scientific evidence and the realistic possibility of transmission.
Senator Gold, in this political declaration, the signatory states welcome the steady increase in domestic HIV investment. Organizations here have been urging the federal government to increase its investments for years, but their requests remain unanswered, even in Budget 2021.
When will the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health meet with these organizations to listen to their concerns and increase funding to $100 million per year specifically for HIV/AIDS, as they have been calling for?
Once again, I thank the honourable senator for his question.
From the government’s perspective, Canada’s efforts to detect and treat HIV have made it possible for most people living with HIV in Canada to know their status and receive proper treatment.
I’m not sure which groups have asked to meet with the ministers, but I’ll be sure to raise the matter with the government.
Thank you.
