NDP statement on World AIDS Day 2024

NDP 2SLGBTQI+ critic and deputy critic Randall Garrison and deputy critic Blake Desjarlais made the following statement:

“Today, we remember all those who’ve lost their lives to AIDS and all the Canadians who still are battling HIV/AIDS. Our hearts also go out to the families and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed by these devastating losses.

No one else needs to die from this disease. But if we want to make that a reality, everyone must recommit to fighting for more progress in eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS. A big part of that is eliminating the stigma around it.

That’s why we wear a red ribbon on World AIDS Day, to bring awareness and to show our support for people who are currently living with HIV.

By the end of 2022, there were over 65,000 estimated Canadians living with HIV/AIDS, but 1 in 10 are still undiagnosed. HIV/AIDS also disproportionately impacts communities that already face discrimination in treatment and care, including 2SLGTQ+ people, racialized people,Indigenous people, those with substance use disorders and who live in rural and northern communities.

We’ve come far, but Canada still has a long way to go to eliminate HIV/AIDS.

New Democrats are committed to ending the spread of HIV/AIDs, stopping the stigma surrounding it, and supporting the workers who are tirelessly fighting to end AIDS/HIV.”