The Ministerial Council On HIV/AIDS

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Annual Report April 1, 2004 - March 31, 2005

4.0 Membership and structure

Council members are determined and appointed by the Minister of Health and are chosen for their experience and collective expertise. Because the Council must be a voice of those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, five of its 15 members are people living with HIV/AIDS. The Minister of Health reviews the membership of the Council on an annual basis to ensure that it consists of members who can provide the best timely advice.

To encourage collaborative efforts with the provinces and territories, the Provincial Co-Chair of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS holds an ex-officio position on the Ministerial Council. The Director General of the Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control also holds an ex-officio position as the Public Health Agency of Canada's standing representative on the Council.

• See Appendix 2 for a list of Ministerial Council members and their biographies.

The Ministerial Council is supported by a Secretariat housed in the Strategic Partnerships and Coordination Unit, HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division, Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Agency of Canada.

The Ministerial Council held four face-to-face meetings during 2004-2005 and three meetings of the full Council by teleconference on specific issues. The Council met once with the Minister of Health and twice with the Minister of State (Public Health). The Council provides brief meeting reports to the Minister of Health following each meeting of the full Council.

Committees

Between Council meetings the committees meet by teleconference. The Ministerial Council on HIV/AIDS has established the following standing committees:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring that the work required for productive Council meetings is done in a timely manner. It supports the Secretariat in maintaining a reciprocal relationship between the Council, the Minister and the Public Health Agency of Canada. It is also responsible for: the annual meeting with the Minister; identifying issues for the Council; and a variety of other issues.

Championing Committee

The Championing Committee analyses current and emerging issues in order to determine and prepare relevant recommendations to the Minister.

Communications and Liaison Committee

The Communications and Liaison Committee participates in the development and updating of communications tools such as the website and oversees processes put in place to communicate with the Minister and a diverse group of stakeholders. Committee members also facilitate the process of advising the Minister with respect to specific occasions such as World AIDS Day.

Research Committee

The Research Committee examines pertinent issues from all streams of HIV/AIDS-related research including, but not limited to, those arising under The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada.

International Affairs Committee

The International Affairs Committee analyses international affairs and Canada's role in the global response to HIV/AIDS in recognition of the important links between Canada's domestic and international responses.

Linkages

The Council, through the Communications and Liaison Committee, explores the development of possible links to other relevant bodies that could provide both expertise and partnership opportunities for policy development.

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