Government of Canada Report to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS January 2003 - December 2005

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Table of Contents

1. Status at a glance
2. Overview of the AIDS epidemic
3. National responses to the AIDS epidemic
4. Major challenges faced and actions needed to achieve the UNGASS goals/targets
5. Support required from country's development partners
6. Monitoring and evaluation environment
7. Expenditures

• Annex 1
  Consultation/Preparation Process for the national report on monitoring the follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
• Annex 2
  
National Composite Policy Index
• Part A
• Part B
• Annex 3
  National Programme Behaviour and Impact Indicators

Foreword

Canada is pleased to submit its third report to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.  Since the 2003 report, there has been significant progress made with the launch of Leading Together: Canada Takes Action on HIV/AIDS, 2005-2010. This blueprint for Canada-wide action calls for consolidated action on all fronts, including governments, community, researchers, individuals and others involved in Canada's response to HIV/AIDS. The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada (hereafter, the Federal Initiative) has also been launched, with an increase in ongoing federal HIV/AIDS funding of the domestic response from $42.2 million per annum to $84.4 million by 2008-09.  Canada’s provinces and territories are responsible for the delivery of health care and have made significant contributions to the response to HIV/AIDS both through the funding of medical services and the implementation of strategies to address HIV/AIDS. The Declaration has been an important tool for Canada to inform the development of these approaches, and we look forward to working with UNAIDS over the coming year as Canada continues to operationalize the Declaration domestically.

While this report focuses mainly on the domestic response, it is important to note that Canada is committed to helping global efforts to meet the UNGASS Commitments through our development assistance programs, contributions to global initiatives, and support given to policy development within global fora. In 2004-05, the Canadian International Development Agency contributed $234 million to the global response as an example of our dedication to this international crisis.

The Canadian response is built on partnerships: between governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, community groups, people living with and at-risk of HIV/AIDS, researchers and scientists.  Community non-governmental organizations have been at the heart of the Canadian response to HIV/AIDS since the very beginning of the epidemic and continue to play a key role in guiding the response. Across the country, people have come together and organized to protect, inform, support and care for each other and their communities including Aboriginal peoples, the gay and lesbian community, women’s groups, social service agencies, etc. Many have reached beyond their own communities to support the efforts of other groups. Networks have developed and true collaborations are increasingly common. Canada’s approach is grounded in human rights and the determinants of health and seeks to address and overcome the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk.

Building on our domestic and international work, Canada looks forward to hosting the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto in 2006 and to hosting the 17^th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm in Vancouver.  This will be the third time that Canada has hosted the International AIDS Conference, and it will be an opportunity for all participating countries to share their experience in responding to HIV/AIDS and to learn from the global response.

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