Category: Advocacy, Policy, Public Health

Extended! PHAC Survey of the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples

Posted On: Monday, December 13th, 2021

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) online survey for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples is aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) prevention, testing, treatment, and harm reduction services. PHAC is collaborating with the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health and the… Read more »

Update on CCRHC Consultations on Reforming Criminal Code to limit HIV criminalization

Posted On: Monday, December 13th, 2021

Dear friends and colleagues, We are writing to provide you with an update on the Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization’s consultation on reforming the Criminal Code to limit HIV criminalization. The consultation, which ran from August 23 – October 22, garnered over 200 online survey responses and over 100 participants in the live consultation… Read more »

Leading Human Rights and Public Health Organizations Release National Drug Decriminalization Platform for Canada

Posted On: Thursday, December 9th, 2021

The bill that the federal government introduced this week to repeal mandatory minimum sentences and offer alternatives to prosecution for simple drug possession is a step in the right direction, but doesn’t go far enough. For immediate release Thursday, December 9, 2021 Toronto, ON—In the wake of almost 23,000 drug poisoning deaths since 2016, twenty-one civil society… Read more »

Substance Use News, November 2021

Posted On: Friday, December 3rd, 2021

Substance Use News provides a snapshot of news and resources for those working in harm reduction. We share pieces on the social, medical and political responses to the opioid crisis, from advocacy to welcome change. With the added layer of the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health constraints, those working in harm reduction have heightened concerns about how to… Read more »

BC Minister of Health statement recognizing World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week

Posted On: Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

We welcome today’s statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix acknowledging World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week. We want to thank Minister Dix and Ministry of Health staff for inviting PAN to help inform some of the messaging for this year’s WAD statement. Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in… Read more »

World AIDS Day 2021

Posted On: Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

December 1  On December 1st, the 33rd World AIDS Day and the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, PAN and its member organizations stand with people living with HIV and AIDS. We also mourn those we have lost and celebrate their lives and achievements. This year’s UNAIDS World AIDS Day theme is ‘End Inequalities. End… Read more »

Help fight for a better response to HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBIs

Posted On: Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

Canada’s response to HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted or blood-borne infections (STBBIs) is desperately lacking. HIV infections are up (11% in the past decade) despite highly effective testing, treatment and prevention methods. Significant outbreaks of syphilis and gonorrhea are causing alarm. Help reverse these trends by sending a letter to the Minister of… Read more »

Special Virtual Event: Two-Spirit Reconciliation

Posted On: Friday, November 26th, 2021

Date: Thursday December 16, 2021 Time: 10 AM – 1:30 PM Pacific time   We are pleased to announce a West Coast learning and discussion virtual event with Cree Two-Spirit community organizer, researcher and educator Harlan Pruden. This two-part event will situate Two-Spirit people in Indigenous and colonial histories, and how we can work towards… Read more »

Webinar: Safer Supply through Compassion Clubs with Guy Felicella of BCCSU

Posted On: Monday, November 22nd, 2021

Presenter: Guy Felicella Moderator: J. Evin Jones Date: Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 Time:  1:00-2:00 PM The next in our PAN Presents webinar series concentrates on alternative models of safer supply, something that stirred up interest during our last webinar with the BCCSU. Guy Felicella will springboard from his statement “We need to meet substance users where they’re at,… Read more »

World AIDS Day Voices of Women Gathering and Candlelight Vigil Reimagined

Posted On: Monday, November 22nd, 2021

    Date: December 1, 2021 (World AIDS Day) Time (Updated): 2- 4 PM Location: Vancouver AIDS Memorial Wall, Sunset Beach (Beach Ave and Jervis St), Vancouver Many have experienced a heightened sense of loss, isolation and frustration over the past two years. The COVID pandemic, the overdose crisis, ongoing inaction on Truth and Reconciliation,… Read more »

Joint Letter to Minister Duclos – World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week 2021

Posted On: Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P. Minister of Health Health Canada Sent via email: [email protected] November 17, 2021   Dear Minister Duclos: On behalf of the organizations enumerated above, we write to congratulate you and wish you success as Minister of Health. At this time, our group of community-based and human rights organizations delivering Canada’s… Read more »