CPHO statement on HIV/AIDS funding

A number of inaccuracies have appeared in recent media reports about HIV/AIDS funding that do a disservice to the front-line organizations whose tireless efforts do so much in the fight against this terrible disease.

In the fight against HIV/AIDS, it is important to strike the right balance between innovative vaccine research and community programs that meet the needs of people living with or vulnerable to the disease.  As Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, I can assure you that we are committed to a comprehensive, long-term approach against HIV/AIDS in Canada and around the world.

The Government of Canada will be investing more than $84 million next fiscal year in the fight against HIV/AIDS, more than has ever been spent in Canada.  This funding will support both the Federal Initiative against HIV/AIDS, and the historic Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which offers the best hope to develop an HIV vaccine.

Recent news stories have inaccurately reported that the Government of Canada is reallocating $26 million from regional programs to help fund the vaccine initiative.  The truth is the Public Health Agency of Canada is reallocating far less – $600,000 each year for the next five years or $3 million dollars in total.

Recent media reports have also carried the erroneous suggestion that investing reallocated funds into the vaccine initiative somehow unduly benefits the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  This is completely untrue and does a disservice to the Foundation, which does not receive funding but rather seeks to work with governments to leverage additional funds in support of finding solutions to health problems of the developing world.  Both the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are investing in a common cause to find an HIV vaccine.  The benefit will be for the millions of people around the world whose lives will be spared from HIV/AIDS when a vaccine is developed.

The Government of Canada has committed $85 million of new funding over the next five years toward the vaccine initiative.  The remaining $26 million put forth by the government will come from existing funds, bringing the total Government of Canada contribution to $111 million.  As proof of its dedication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is investing one dollar for every three new dollars the Government of Canada put towards the initiative.  This brings the Foundation's contribution to $28 million, a tangible demonstration of its continuing leadership in finding a permanent solution to this deadly disease.

Through leadership, partnership and innovation I am confident we will continue to make important progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

Dr. David Butler-Jones
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada