November 5 , 2004
For Immediate Release

News Release

Public Health Agency of Canada Funds HIV/AIDS Project in Ontario

OTTAWA - The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and M.P. for Ottawa - Vanier, announced today, on behalf of Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, that the Public Health Agency of Canada will contribute $246,500 over 18 months to the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development.

"The Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development will use this funding to help build the capacity of communities across Canada to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Mr. Bélanger.

Chronic Illness, HIV/AIDS and Workplace Policies is a project of the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development, an organization that is mandated to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor communities and countries by actively contributing to the Canadian and international HIV/AIDS response. The project will increase awareness among staff and volunteers working in areas related to HIV/AIDS of the importance of having rights-based, HIV/AIDS workplace policies. The project will also assist staff from various AIDS service organizations and educational institutions, and people living with HIV/AIDS to develop and implement appropriate HIV/AIDS workplace policies.

"Canada has a collaborative approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is carried out in partnership with other levels of government, non-governmental organizations and community organizations," said Minister Dosanjh. "Projects like this one are another example of how this integrated approach will help people infected with or at risk of HIV/AIDS."

Funding was provided to this community-based organizations under the National HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Fund of the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA). The Government of Canada has renewed its commitment to the Strategy by doubling funding over the next five years, so that by 2008/09, the Government of Canada will provide annual funding of $84.2 million to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada. The Strategy's goals are:

• to prevent the spread of HIV infection in Canada;
• to find a cure;
• to find and provide effective vaccines, drugs and therapies;
• to ensure care, treatment and support for Canadians living with HIV/AIDS, and for families, friends, and caregivers;
• to minimize the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and communities; and,
• to minimize the impact of social and economic factors that increase individual and collective risk of HIV infection.

The new Public Health Agency of Canada is the federal lead partner on the Canadian Strategy for HIV/AIDS, and will continue to work with organized groups and governments dedicated to these issues nationally and internationally.

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Media Inquiries:
Aggie Adamczyk
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189