Frequently Asked Questions

Why is funding local community AIDS Service Organizations so important?

AIDS remains a fatal disease. Prevention is the only cure. Because of a lack of funding, new infections are occurring that could have been prevented. Each case of HIV prevented can save up to $750,000 . Preventing illness is far cheaper than treating it. If only 19 infections are prevented of the 4,000 infections that occur annually, the funding is effective.

How does HIV/AIDS affect people in Canada?

In addition to being one of the largest global killers, HIV/AIDS continues to be an issue here at home. Approximately 62,000 Canadians are living with HIV/AIDS. Although the number of rapid deaths from AIDS has declined, the number of new infections continues to increase.
It is estimated that approximately 4,000 Canadians are infected with HIV every year, with 27% of people who have HIV  unaware of their status. In 2006 there were 2,508 Canadians diagnosed with HIV, 14% more than  in 2001

What funding is being cut?

The funding cut affects the AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) which is administered by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This funding enables community based organizations to:

• ensure treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, their caregivers, families and friends
• minimize the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and communities
• minimize the impact of social and economic factors that increase individual and collective risk for HIV infection.

How much funding is being cut from community based and national HIV organizations?

A total of $7 million dollars will be cut over a 5 year period. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada website, $4 million will be cut from grants and contributions to national organizations and $3 million will be cut from AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) funding.

 How much funding has been cut in Ontario?

Federal Funding Cuts in Ontario

Click here to view the full Federal Funding Cuts Chart

What is the future for HIV/AIDS community funding?

Cuts are continuing to roll out across the country, the Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that every region will be affected by 2008-09. No funding commitments have been made to support the work of community-based organizations beyond March, 2010. The future at best is uncertain.

Where is the money going?

The Government of Canada through a statement made by Dr. David Butler-Jones the Chief Public Health Officer has confirmed that $600,000 each year for the next five years or $3 million dollars in total is being reallocated to support the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/cpho-acsp/hiv1205_e.html)

According to the website of  Stephen Harper , Prime Minister of Canada.

February 20, 2007

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada’s New Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have committed major new funding to support the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative, a new effort to accelerate the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine and address critical research gaps identified by the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise.”
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1544

 Is a vaccine important?

Yes and so is a cure. But until science finds a solution we cannot abandon the lives of people already infected or at risk. According to the government of Canada’s website http://www.chvi-icvv.gc.ca/faq-eng.html#Q3

“A safe and effective HIV vaccine may not be available for another decade.”
If current rates of HIV infection continue this means that another 40,000 Canadian will become infected with HIV at a time that Canada is cutting its prevention efforts. We will have at least 40% more people living with HIV and a third less funding available to provide support services.

What can I do about it?

For the 62,000 Canadians now living with the virus and the thousands of Canadians who are becoming infected every year, we can’t stop the clock on AIDS while we wait for a vaccine or better yet, a cure. Prevention and support services matter now more than ever.
Let your Member of Parliament know that Cutting funding = Cutting lives
Download and print a postcard from this website, Put in an envelope and send it to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Stephen Harper, Minister of Health Tony Clement and to your Member of Parliament. No postage is required. Contact your local AIDS Service Organization to ask for more postcards or email info@ontarioaidsnetwork.on.ca  to order in quantity.