NDP statement on the 40^th World AIDS Day

The NDP’s Critic for 2SLGBTQI+ Rights, Randall Garrison, made the following statement:

“Today, on the 40th World AIDS day we call for continued progress through action to eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS. After four decades of science, activism and struggle, we now have the necessary testing and treatment tools needed to eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS.

To eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS we need programs that ensure that services are widely available without financial barriers and that testing and treatment options are available in rural, remote and Indigenous communities and for the most marginalized among us, including intravenous drug users and homeless communities.

The federal government is lagging behind on their commitments to eliminate HIV/AIDS as rates of new infections are again on the rise. We have been dropped from the UNAIDS list of countries that are on track to achieving the elimination of HIV/AIDS by 2030.

New Democrats recognize the devastating impacts that the AIDS epidemic has had globally and honours the lives lost. We are so close to achieving what was once thought to be impossible and we are committed to continuing to push the Liberal government to implement the programs and funding needed to eliminate HIV/AIDS once and for all.”