Ministerial Message - World AIDS Day - December 1, 2016

December 1 is World AIDS Day - a day of global solidarity in the fight against HIV. On this day, we remember and honour those we have lost. We also recognize the energy and perseverance of all those working toward a world without AIDS.

The first week of December is also Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, which aims to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS among Indigenous peoples and to create supportive environments for Indigenous peoples living with HIV.

For over 30 years as a family doctor, both in Canada and sub-Saharan Africa, I worked to stop the dreadful impact of this infection. Now as Canada's Minister of Health, I am tackling this from a new perspective - determined that our collective efforts must bring about practical changes.

Stigma and discrimination remain barriers to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. In Canada, 1 in 5 people living with HIV are not aware of their status. Knowing your HIV status means you can access treatment and care, and reduce the risk of transmitting the infection. With early detection, treatment and care, people living with HIV today can expect to live a full and healthy life. Today, I received a rapid HIV test which allowed me to learn my HIV status within minutes. It is time to make HIV testing routine in Canada. I encourage you to get an HIV test this week.

My key messages for today are:

• End stigma
• Know your status
• Help us repower #HIVprevention

Canada is also committed to working with the global community to reach our collective goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. In September, we hosted the Global Fund's 5^th replenishment conference to accelerate progress to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics by 2030. I am proud that we have increased our contribution to the Global Fund by 23% - pledging $804 million for 2017-2019.

Last year, Canada officially endorsed the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) global targets for HIV, including the 90-90-90 treatment targets. These global targets call for 90% of people living with HIV to know their status, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV to be in treatment, and 90% of people in treatment to have undetectable viral loads. Achieving these goals will help get the world on track to end the AIDS epidemic.

Today, for the first time in Canada, we are announcing national numbers for these treatment targets. Based on best available data, we estimate that 80% of HIV-infected persons know their status, 76% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 89% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

Clearly, we have more to do.

I believe we must renew our response to HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) in Canada. Therefore, in February 2017, the Public Health Agency of Canada will convene a national conference of Canadian stakeholders and experts to identify and prioritize concrete actions that will have a significant impact on the rates of STBBIs in Canada.

Together we can end AIDS as a public health threat. Let us commit to that today.

The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health