Category: HIV and the Law

Voices For World AIDS Day – Join Us!

Pacific AIDS Network is one of 60 partners brought together by the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) to honour the UNAIDS theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, which is “Communities make the difference”. CANFAR has created a World AIDS Day-specific site, Voices for World AIDS Day, which features A history of World AIDS… Read more »

Working Together Against Stigma on World AIDS Day

The UNAIDS theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Communities make the difference” and PAN is happy to have been part of a community effort working to address stigma in BC. We are working in collaboration with Health Authority representatives to honour those living with HIV and AIDS by fighting stigma. We have developed anti-stigma… Read more »

Keep up the pressure for life-saving health services!

Via the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network  Now that the election is over and Canada’s new government is taking shape, it’s time to keep the pressure on. Despite the devastating overdose crisis, drug policy and harm reduction services didn’t get nearly enough play during the campaign. But we can’t let these critical issues be pushed aside…. Read more »

Sign the Solidarity Statement for Sex Workers’ Rights

PAN has added our name to the list of organizations signing this solidarity statement, that is being circulated by Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights (a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally) and the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform…. Read more »

Update: Prison Needle Exchange Programs

Last month we endorsed the statement calling on the federal government to fix fundamental flaws in the Correctional Service of Canada’s “Prison Needle Exchange Program.” We’ve received a thank you from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Exchange, along with some additional information.   Saturday, August 10, was Prisoners’ Justice Day, and marked the release of this… Read more »

HIV Criminalization – Update

A quick summer update on the HIV criminalization front… BC’s Prosecutorial Guidelines As previously reported, on April 16th, 2019, BC Prosecution Services issued revised prosecutorial guidelines (the revised “Sex 2” policy). Encouragingly, the guidelines state clearly that there will be no prosecution for suppressed viral load (i.e., under 200 copies/ml) for at least 4 months;… Read more »

Along with a number of community advocates, this spring PAN submitted letter to the Canadian Medical Association regarding the Draft Canadian Medical Association’s Policy on HIV. We are aware that PAN member organizations and public health representatives did the same. We are watching for updates and will share as we learn more.   Cécile Bensimon,… Read more »

Show Your Support for Prison Needle and Syringe Programs

PAN has endorsed the statement below, and we share this so others may consider doing so as well. From the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network: Three years ago, PAN signed a petition urging governments in Canada to immediately implement needle and syringe programs in prison. The petition acknowledged the overwhelming evidence supporting prison-based needle and syringe… Read more »

via the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network For those who have supported [or have an interest in] the Community Consensus Statement, the Legal Network has provided some links to some important developments and resources in their work to end HIV criminalization. The biggest development, of course, is the federal Justice Committee’s new report, which was released… Read more »

PAN has signed onto a joint letter, along with other advocates. June 11, 2019 Honourable Mike Farnworth Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Room 128 Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 Copy to: Honourable John Horgan Premier of British Columbia West Annex Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4   Attn: Hon. Mike Farnworth Dear… Read more »

From the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network  Join us for an all-day discussion of science, law and advocacy related to HIV criminalization. We’re excited to be joined by Federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti, among other distinguished speakers and guests. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the unjust criminalization of people… Read more »

Important update: working to end HIV criminalization

From the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network Legal Network testifies as Justice Committee begins study Last week, the House of Commons Justice Committee began its study of the Criminalization of Non-Disclosure of HIV Status. Our executive director, Richard Elliott, testified as a key witness to help our MPs gain more insight into what the law should… Read more »