Question Period Note: HIV/AIDS

Community-based organizations and researchers have called on the Government of Canada to increase funding to address HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) in Canada. National stakeholders are increasing calls for additional funding and it is anticipated that their calls will be amplified around upcoming public events, particularly the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022).

• The Government of Canada is committed to working with domestic and international partners toward the global goal of reducing the health impacts of AIDS and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections by 2030.
• The contribution of community-based organizations is central to Canada’s ability to achieve global targets. Community-based organizations play a critical role in engaging Canadians living with or affected by HIV and those at risk of infection.
• The Government of Canada remains committed to reducing barriers and ensuring that Canadians have equitable access to prevention, testing, care, and support for HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and that these resources are reaching those who need them most.

If pressed on funding
• In 2021, the Public Health Agency of Canada invested $88.5 million to address HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections initiatives in Canada.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada invests $26.4 million annually through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund to support community-based programs across Canada to address HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Through the Harm Reduction Fund, the Agency also invests $7 million annually to support projects that help reduce HIV and Hepatitis C among people who share inhalation and injection drug-use equipment.

The Pan-Canadian Framework for Action on STBBI

In 2018, the Pan-Canadian Framework for Action on STBBI was released by federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health. The Framework provides a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to reduce the impact of STBBI in Canada as well as to contribute to global efforts to end these infections as major health concerns.

Government of Canada Five-Year Action Plan on STBBI

In July 2019, the Government of Canada released its own Five-year Action Plan on STBBI (2019-2024), which outlines a renewed and expanded collaborative approach to implementing the Framework for Action on STBBI within the federal mandate. The Action Plan encompasses the work of ten federal departments, reflecting a whole-of-government approach. The Action Plan aims to accelerate federal efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat STBBI, and address barriers to care. The Action Plan is based on the latest evidence and reflects priorities identified by partners and stakeholders.

The Action Plan outlines seven priority areas for federal action on STBBI: 1) Moving toward Truth and Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples; 2) Stigma and discrimination; 3) Community innovation - Putting a Priority on Prevention; 4) Reaching the undiagnosed - Increasing access to STBBI testing; 5) Providing prevention, treatment and care to populations that receive health services or coverage of health care benefits from the federal government; 6) Leveraging existing knowledge and targeting future research; and 7) Measuring impact - monitoring and reporting on trends and results.

COVID-19 Impacts on STBBI

Key populations disproportionately impacted by STBBI were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically health care providers’ ability to deliver STBBI-related services and people’s access to such services were adversely impacted. However, the pandemic presented an opportunity to address STBBI through innovative measures. STBBI service providers in Canada have demonstrated resilience and innovation by developing new service delivery models including new remote services that met the challenges created by the pandemic. In an online 2020 survey, new approaches to service delivery were reported across the country including: mobile outreach for HIV, hepatitis C and other STI testing services; delivery of harm reduction supplies by outreach including mobile vehicle and home delivery; and self-serve pick-up and drop-off of harm reduction supplies at service windows or curbside depots.

Community Funding

Investments in community projects are an essential part of the government's response, and the government is working closely with its provincial and territorial partners to ensure that their efforts are complementary and that their investments have the maximum impact.

HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF)

Through the CAF, PHAC invests $26.4 million annually to support community-based responses to STBBI in order to prevent new infections, reduce stigma and discrimination and increase access to testing and treatment. From this investment, $4 million annually is dedicated to projects led by Indigenous organizations.

The CAF supports integrated approaches to disease prevention, increasing the effectiveness of prevention initiatives and supporting a more efficient community-based response by addressing common transmission routes, risk behaviours, affected populations, and stigma associated with STBBI.

Harm Reduction Fund (HRF)

Through the HRF, PHAC invests $7 million annually to support community-based projects across Canada that will help reduce HIV and Hepatitis C among people who share injection and inhalation drug-use equipment. These funds complement existing investments under the CAF by focusing on a population that is particularly at-risk for these infections. The funding helps community-based organizations implement or enhance harm reduction measures by providing: education resources for people who use drugs; support for peer-based outreach and navigation initiatives; and training for health providers. Investments in the HRF also support objectives within the Canadian Drug and Substance Strategy.

Funding to Support Researchers

Canada also recognizes the importance of funding research that creates new knowledge and resources that improve the health of Canadians that are affected by HIV and STBBI. Understanding how the social determinants of health affect those impacted by HIV and other STBBI will allow Canada to create more equitable approaches that help us reach our global targets. From 2016-17 to 2020-21, CIHR funded over $228 million on HIV/AIDS research and more than $63 million on Hepatitis C research.

Additional STBBI Investments
• From 2017-2022, Indigenous Services Canada allocated $37.5 million over five years and $11 million ongoing for STBBI programs and services for First Nations and Inuit communities.
• $5 million over five years under the new Innovative Diagnostics Program at the National Microbiology Laboratory.
• $6 million over five years (2019-2024) to support research to investigate the introduction of new testing technologies in Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Key Facts
• In July 2019, the Government of Canada released its Five-year Action Plan on STBBI (2019-2024). The Action Plan outlines seven priority areas for federal action on STBBI.
• Community partnerships help the Government of Canada advance the work of our Action Plan and achieve global STBBI targets by providing innovative, tailored approaches to address STBBI that are free of stigma and discrimination.
• The Community Action Fund (CAF) invests $26.4 million annually to support the community-based response to STBBI in order to prevent new infections, reduce stigma and discrimination and increase access to testing and treatment. From this investment, $4 million annually is dedicated to projects led by Indigenous organizations.
• The Harm Reduction Fund (HRF) invests $7 million annually to support community-based projects across Canada that will help reduce HIV and Hepatitis C among people who share drug-use equipment such as needles and pipes. These funds complement existing investments under CAF by focusing on a population that is particularly at-risk of these infections.
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) also funds HIV and hepatitis C research. From 2016-17 to 2020-21, CIHR funded over $228 million on HIV/AIDS research and more than $63 million on hepatitis C research.
• The 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) will be held in Montreal from July 29 – August 2, 2022. This will be the first time a hybrid in-person and virtual format will be utilized, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada has hosted the conference three times in the past: Montreal in 1989, Vancouver in 1996, and Toronto in 2006.