Английская Википедия:Canadian AIDS Society

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Шаблон:Infobox organization

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a charitable organization operating nationally, bringing together various community-based AIDS service organizations from different regions across Canada. CAS facilitates collaboration among these locally-based organizations, providing services to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS within their respective communities.

Established on May 12, 1987, in response to the growing HIV/AIDS crisis, CAS was founded by local grassroots organizations with the aim of providing comprehensive support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS nationwide. Following its official incorporation as a non-profit charity on April 1, 1988, CAS relocated to Ottawa, where it has since prioritized valuing the perspectives of those living with HIV/AIDS.

History

Establishment

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) was established following the first two national conferences on HIV/AIDS in Montreal (1985) and Toronto (1986). Originating as an informal network in 1986, CAS brought together 16 local AIDS Service Organizations to serve as a national umbrella organization in Canada.

In 1987, the CAS organized its national conference in Ottawa and took advantage of being in the nation's capital by inviting guests from several federal government agencies to its meeting. Presentations were designed to educate government officials about the differing needs among various types of community-based AIDS organizations.

Originally based in Edmonton with a voluntary secretariat, CAS achieved registered charity status in 1988. It then relocated to Ottawa, initiated staff hiring, and currently represents its members nationally, with a primary focus on valuing the perspectives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Since the establishment of the First Annual Forum for People Living With HIV and AIDS (PHAs) in 1992, the CAS is expected to be engaged in these specific areas:

• Treatment and research
• Income security
• Housing and hospice care
• Health promotion strategies

The CAS Board of Directors and staff prioritize these matters, ensuring strong PHA representation through policies and committees.

Structure

Member organizations

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) serves as a representative body for AIDS service organizations throughout Canada, including various provinces and cities. To be eligible for membership, organizations must be community-based, volunteer-driven, and have HIV/AIDS as their major activity area.

Evolution of Governance and Representation

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is overseen by a board of directors, which includes two representatives from each region of Canada, one of whom is required to be HIV-positive. Additionally, CAS has two at-large board seats for one male and one female member, ensuring gender-diverse representation. One board seat is allocated for a young person living with HIV.

Funding

National HIV/AIDS organizations emphasize that, despite groundbreaking medical discoveries moving towards a potential cure, progress is hindered by a lack of political will to increase funding. In 2023, the federal government allocates an annual budget of $33.4 million to the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund and the Harm Reduction Fund. Advocates call for boosting the annual funding to $100 million, aligning with the 2019 recommendation from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.

The stigma continues to pose a significant obstacle, and despite advances in treatment, there is a pressing need for intensified focus and funding to effectively combat HIV. The recent upswing in cases, especially affecting marginalized communities, highlights the urgent necessity for increased funding and support, as emphasized by the Canadian AIDS Society.

The Canadian AIDS Society has historically received funding from the federal government through the Public Health Agency of Canada. However, since the reorganization of funding priorities for HIV and Hepatitis C in 2016, CAS has not received any federal funding. This shift in funding, along with the broader issue of underfunding for HIV/AIDS service organizations in Canada, has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from CAS's national partner, the HIV Legal Network.

Notable programs and campaigns

AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day

Between 1991 and 2001, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) conducted an annual AIDS Awareness Week campaign, receiving support from various governmental, corporate, and charitable entities such as Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Levi Strauss & Co., among others. However, when government funding ceased, CAS shifted its focus to World AIDS Day every December 1st. The AIDS campaigns were organized around a theme, with advertisements often developed by the Ottawa-based creative agency McMillan. These ads gained prominent placement in widely circulated magazines and periodicals, including Maclean's, L'actualité, and The Globe and Mail.

AIDS Memorial Quilt

In 1989, the Persons With AIDS (PWA) Coalition in Halifax organized the Canadian Tour of the American Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt across Canada as part of a larger North American Tour. Collaborating with local AIDS activists, they exhibited the quilt to coincide with local Pride Week activities, with each host city required to raise $10,000 to cover the costs of hosting the quilt.

The quilt journeyed through seven Canadian cities during the months of June and July:

• Halifax June 1 to 3 Saint Mary's University Tower
• Montreal June 8 to 11 Montréal Velodrome
• Ottawa June 15 to 18 Lansdowne Park Coliseum building
• Toronto June 22 to 24
• Winnipeg June 29 to July 1 University of Winnipeg Athletic Center
• Calgary July 4 to 6 Olympic Plaza
• Vancouver July 13 to 16 Vancouver Art Gallery

As the quilt traveled, local panels were created to remember those who died of AIDS. The Canada Quilt took shape during the US Quilt's tour, with new Canadian panels. Returned to Halifax in July, these panels formed the first sections of the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt. Although separate from the US Quilt, the Names Project in Canada follows identical procedures. In October 1989, the Halifax PWA Coalition exhibited the Canadian quilt at the final display of the entire US quilt in Washington, DC.

In 1992, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) cared for the Quilt until 1994. The Names Project Canada located in Halifax took over in June 1994, growing the quilt from 400 to over 640 panels. Originating as a response to the AIDS epidemic, the quilt commemorates lives and raises funds for AIDS service organizations.

In 2013, the NAMES Project Canada dissolved, and Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) resumed stewardship. In 2018, CAS launched a digital version of the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt at quilt.ca, ensuring continued remembrance and highlighting the ongoing fight against AIDS in Canada.

AIDS Walk

On October 1, 1983, the inaugural AIDS Walk occurred, inspired by the Terry Fox Run and initiated by Bill Mole. This event raised awareness and over $10,000 for AIDS-related causes. Peter Evans led the Ottawa to Kingston route, contributing $5,000—half of the pledges. The turnout at Queen's Park in Toronto was modest, with smaller groups participating in Montreal and London. Regrettably, the planned Vancouver to Calgary leg was canceled at the last minute, altering the event's scope.

In 1986, Vancouver held its first fundraising and awareness AIDS Walk.

In 1996, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) took over the management of the AIDS Walk campaign and introduced AIDS Walk Canada, further advancing nationwide fundraising and awareness efforts for HIV/AIDS in the country.

National HIV Testing Day

Launched on June 27, 2018, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) inaugurated its first National HIV Testing Day with the theme "Know Your Status," an initiative designed to promote HIV testing. Over 40 community organizations participated across all regions of Canada, offering free HIV tests to those interested.

On June 27, 2019, CAS hosted its second annual event in collaboration with local health workers and community organizations. Over 100 community organizations established HIV testing sites for Canada's annual National HIV Testing Day.

National Testing Day in Canada, much like its American counterpart established in 1995, encourages the use of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), enabling participants to receive their results in a few minutes rather than two weeks later. A 2016 study on the efficacy of National Testing Day in the United States indicates that the program successfully tested more people from priority populations and identified more previously undiagnosed HIV-positive individuals than during control weeks.

Sexual Health Advocacy

STBBI Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On June 3, 2020, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) urged the government to recognize STBBI (Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections) testing as essential amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Stressing a harm reduction approach, the organization highlighted the crucial role of maintaining sexual health services amidst uncertainty.

In collaboration with the University of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health, CAS partnered with local organizations such as the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) in piloting the GetaKit project, which facilitated the first testing of HIV self-testing home kits in Ottawa on April 23, 2020.

Approved by Health Canada on November 3, 2020, the first HIV self-testing home kits serve as a tool to reduce the number of undetected infections.

During the 24rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) held in Montreal and virtually, the Health Minister announced a significant investment of $17.9 million to enhance HIV testing accessibility, particularly among priority populations in northern, remote, or isolated (NRI) communities.