Canada’s Minister of Health wraps up successful meetings at 22nd International AIDS Conference in the Netherlands

News release

July 27, 2018 Amsterdam, the Netherlands Public Health Agency of Canada

Canada was a key contributor at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands – the largest global gathering on any health issue in the world. The conference provided a unique opportunity to showcase Canadian expertise and to learn about innovative approaches to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Over 15,000 leaders, policy makers, researchers and advocates from more than 160 countries came together to Break Barriers and Build Bridges in the response to HIV and AIDS.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, delivered remarks at a symposia session, Anti-fragile: Strengthening the HIV Response through Addressing Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination, during which she encouraged international partners to take action against these major barriers to addressing HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). She also highlighted Canada’s integrated approach to meet the global elimination targets through the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action released in June 2018.

In addition, the Minister recognized the very important work undertaken by experts to develop the Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of the Criminal Law, which was released on July 25. Canada’s efforts to address the over-criminalization of HIV non-disclosure recognizes that HIV is a public health issue and that criminalization discourages individuals from being tested and seeking treatment, further stigmatizing those living with HIV/AIDS. She urged participants and fellow ministers of health to hear and share the message of U=U, Undetectable = Untransmittable, in an effort to help reduce stigma in all of its forms.

While at the conference, Minister Petitpas Taylor also hosted a roundtable discussion with Canadians living with HIV and domestic AIDS organizations to discuss ways to reduce stigma and discrimination in Canada.

While in the Netherlands, the Minister met with the International AIDS Society’s Youth Champions, a group of brilliant, inspired youth from around the world. She also had an opportunity to learn about the Dutch approach to key health issues, including dementia, mental health and addiction. She visited De Hogeweyk (Dementia Village), and the AMOC Centre Safe Injection Room. She also visited the Trimbos Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, where she highlighted the recently launched Alliance of Champions for Mental Health and Wellbeing (co-founded by Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia).

Quotes

“Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to reflect on the significant progress that has been made toward ending AIDS as a global health threat by 2030. The Government of Canada is committed to building momentum, including taking action to reduce the stigma and discrimination that are barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor

Minister of Health

Quick facts

The Government of Canada is investing more than $87 million in 2018-19 to support surveillance, prevention, public health guidance, knowledge development and a robust pan-Canadian community-based response to HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
The Government of Canada is a proud supporter of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Canada has pledged $804 million for the 2017 to 2019 replenishment period.
The HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF) is investing $132 million over five years to support the work of community-based organizations in addressing HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
Through the Harm Reduction Fund, the Government of Canada is investing $30 million over five years to support time-limited projects across Canada that will help reduce HIV and hepatitis C among people who share drug-use equipment.
At the end of 2016, an estimated 63,110 people were living with HIV in Canada. Among those, an estimated 86% were diagnosed, 81% of those diagnosed were on treatment and an estimated 91% of people on treatment had suppressed viral loads.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health threat, especially for people living with HIV. The Government of Canada is working with its provincial and territorial partners to reduce TB in Canada and to make a difference in communities most at risk. As announced in Budget 2018, the Government of Canada is investing $27.5 million over five years in Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s Inuit-specific approach to TB elimination in Inuit Nunangat.

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