Category: PAN News and Events

Sharing the Stigma Reduction Cycle at CAHR

  While at the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) conference in May, we hosted an ancillary event prior to the official opening to provide a hands-on introduction to the Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle project we’ve been working on. In addition, we wanted to share OSAC  via a poster presentation, allowing the PAN team to… Read more »

In March 2025, an article was published with open access in JAMA – looking at BC as a case study to examine safer opioid supply and decriminalization policies. Its summarized findings say “Using the synthetic difference-in-differences method, this cohort study found that the safer opioid policy was associated with a statistically significant increase in opioid… Read more »

PAN recommendations for BC Budget 2026

  Below are PAN’s recommendations for Budget 2026, which would support the elimination of viral hepatitis in BC.   Introduction PAN is a provincial network of 40+ community-based organizations joined by a shared vision of an effective, inspired network responding to HIV, viral hepatitis, other STBBIs and promoting access to harm reduction.  We provide training,… Read more »

  Originally designed and released in 2021 as a visual resource for hepatitis C testing technologies, this resource has been updated as of June 2025 and now includes HIV. Available to download as a PDF, it outlines the various testing technologies that exist for HIV and hepatitis C in terms of name & core function,… Read more »

Substance Use News, June 2025

Substance Use News provides a monthly collection of news and resources on the social, medical and political responses to the toxic drug supply crisis and harm reduction. To get the latest toxic drug safety alerts, visit Info for People Who Use Substances page from Toward the Heart. Get weekly substance use news by subscribing to our newsletter: scroll… Read more »

  June 17, 2025 The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P. Minister of Public Safety House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, P.C., M.P. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 RE: The Strong Borders Act and its Harm to People Living with HIV and Other Marginalized… Read more »

Finding Joy: Celebrating Indigenous Artists

Since Indigenous peoples have been on the lands of Turtle Island, storytelling has been a way to connect. Stories share knowledge, values, history, and rituals. They aren’t all serious though; they also include humour and joy. They are told with spoken word, singing, drumming, carving; through beading; weaving; and celebrations. Contemporary Indigenous artists blend traditional… Read more »

June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day—a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada. For the Métis, this day is more than a celebration, it’s an opportunity to honour our ancestors, our resilience, and the unique blend of Indigenous and European heritage that defines… Read more »

Join us! Taking Action on Viral Hepatitis virtual event

We look forward to welcoming you to Taking Action on Hepatitis. July 23, 2025. 8:30 – 12 Noon Pacific time. World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is an annual day of recognition, education, and advocacy on July 28th.  Let’s break it down is the theme of this year’s WHD: “Let’s break down the barriers holding us back… Read more »

Canada is on Indigenous lands. Another name used for Canada and the United States is Turtle Island, based on creation myths. International borders were established by non-Indigenous settlers. Indigenous peoples have been on the land for thousands of years, pre-dating colonial explorers in collaborative land use, establishing communities, governance structures, education, spiritual practices, and exchange… Read more »

This study is looking at how the digital world affects access to health services for populations in British Columbia that are more likely to be affected by sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI), such as HIV or hepatitis C. It also explores how community organizations are helping people navigate digital systems—and what support they need… Read more »