Statement by the Official Opposition on World AIDS Day

Official Opposition leader Tom Mulcair (Outremont) made the following statement on World AIDS Day:

“This year, we are celebrating the 25th annual World AIDS Day. Today, we offer our encouragement to everyone battling the HIV/AIDS virus, and remember those we have lost to the disease, along with their loved ones.

A quarter century after having designated this day, there is finally hope for a future without AIDS. The battle against the disease forges on and we should be grateful of this progress.

However, the prejudice and challenges facing infected individuals are still significant and a lot of work remains to provide equal access to treatments around the world. In Canada alone, the most recent statistics show that 71,300 people are currently living with HIV/SIDA and 3,175 new infections were diagnosed in 2011.

It is essential that we pursue our work building awareness in society. Our government has a role to play at home and abroad to ensure better access to treatments and to put an end to prejudice.

We need to continue to work together in order to build a world without AIDS or HIV.”