Strengthening Federal Action in the Canadian Response to HIV/AIDS

Message from the Ministers

More than two decades after its onset, the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains an enormous challenge in Canada and around the world. The human toll in terms of premature death and the untold anguish and suffering of people affected by the disease and those who care for them is immeasurable.

Canada's response to HIV/AIDS has slowed the progression of the epidemic within our own borders. This is the result of the tireless efforts of people living with HIV/AIDS, community workers, volunteers, health care workers and researchers at the forefront of the response. At the same time, governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations and the private sector have contributed to advances in prevention, care, treatment and support.

As a result of these combined efforts, Canada has made important strides in moving beyond the medical aspects of the epidemic to the point where we can begin to address the social and economic challenges and inequities that leave people vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

This is a critical time in our collective response. Building on recommendations from the Standing Committee on Health (House of Commons), lessons learned from past federal HIV/AIDS strategies, and stakeholder and provincial/territorial consultations, the Government of Canada announced in May 2004 that ongoing federal HIV/AIDS funding would increase from $42.2 million to $84.4 million by 2008-2009.

The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada builds on previous government initiatives both at home and abroad. It will contribute to a comprehensive and integrated Canadian response - one that acknowledges that addressing the pandemic and its root causes is the only way to bring it to an end.

Over the past year, those involved in the Canadian response have been working together to define the optimum response to HIV/AIDS in Canada. The report, Leading Together: An HIV/AIDS Action Plan for All Canada, will be available shortly and will set out an integrated and coherent way forward.

One thing is certain: the engagement of many different sectors is needed to get ahead of the pandemic. The engagement of people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS is essential. In partnership with the full spectrum of HIV/AIDS stakeholders, the Government of Canada will continue to focus its efforts on the fight against this preventable disease that has already taken far too great a toll, one that must continue here and around the world.

Ujjal Dosanjh Minister of Health

Dr. Carolyn Bennett Minister of State (Public Health)

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