All right.
Good morning everyone.
Thank you for inviting me to appear before the committee today.
I am extremely proud and delighted to address the committee today and to fight for HIV non-disclosure in support of all those affected. I will share with you how this issue impacts members of the African, Caribbean and black community in Canada, and Ontario, in particular.
Addressing this issue is a priority for us because it affects people from all walks of life, but especially marginalized populations. We have long been concerned about the criminal laws and the punishment they essentially inflict on people living with the virus. We think it is high time that the laws change for the better, so that those affected can lead a healthy and peaceful existence, like everyone else.
This is also about normalizing the face of HIV/AIDS to send the message that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. It doesn't care about what colour a person's skin is, what they look like or whether they are rich or poor. HIV/AIDS crosses all boundaries. It would therefore be better if everyone were on the same page, working hand in hand to fight the scourge and surrounding negativity, while supporting prevention efforts. That would, at a very minimum, help those affected to lead happy lives, like everyone else, and to feel loved and accepted by all.
I know that we don't have much time for a presentation, but this is my plea regarding a disease that affects all strata of society. It's essential to rethink the law so that people can once again be seen as normal.
The most marginalized and vulnerable people affected are women. They, in particular, are vulnerable in the face of the disease. They are the ones who give life and are certainly not spared. What's more, women are the caretakers of children and men. Criminalization prevents people from revealing their status and being seen as normal. In the current climate, they are seen as abnormal.
We are all here for the same reason. I applaud you for holding a debate on this scale, bringing lawmakers and community workers together to foster mutual understanding in pursuit of the common good. In the African, Caribbean and black community, the effects of these laws are strongly felt, especially by women.
It's also important to look at the issue through the immigration lens. To some extent, people suffer prejudice. People leave war-torn countries for a better life here, in Canada. Not all of them bring the virus with them; some of them contract it here.
Therefore, no one can say that immigrants are bringing the disease to Canada. The justice system criminalizes people living with HIV/AIDS, mainly heterosexual African, Caribbean and black men. Their cases are highly publicized, with their photos being splashed everywhere. If they are sent to prison, they leave their families behind. Their reputations are ruined and they lose everything they had. The damage done by these laws leads to major isolation and even suicide. These cases come down to one person's word against the other's. The law makes no allowances for situations where a person claims that the other never disclosed their status even if they did. The person who makes the initial complaint will always win. Let's face it, it's the person who complains about the other.
The criminalization of HIV non-disclosure can be viewed in a number of lights. For instance, the current situation does more harm than good from a prevention standpoint. It drives people into hiding and discourages them from getting tested. It results in fewer people being diagnosed and receiving treatment. How can we treat someone when they don't even know they have HIV?
Furthermore, how can we achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets? That means diagnosing infected individuals, providing treatment to them and ensuring they sustain treatment. By criminalizing HIV non-disclosure, we rule out the possibility of achieving the 90-90-90 targets, in my view.
The statistics show that, in Canada, 86% of infected individuals are diagnosed, 91% receive treatment and 81% remain in treatment. That's a good thing. However, if you take the figures 86-91-81, it represents just 73%, which means we are still a good ways away from the 90-90-90 target. The situation is improving, though. The figures we have now are encouraging, especially when it comes to individuals who sustain treatment. That's a good thing in Canada.
Nevertheless, as far as the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure is concerned, I strongly believe we need to reconsider the laws. We need to relax Criminal Code measures that target people with HIV. I would suggest that we look to other countries for inspiration. Cuba, for instance, did not criminalize non-disclosure and has made significant strides with respect to HIV/AIDS infection rates.
Canada has the ability to consider other dimensions as well. We can look at ourselves in relation to other countries such as those in Africa, where the situation is endemic. Although that's not true for the entire continent, it is the case in a number of countries. Considerable progress has been achieved there. HIV non-disclosure is not criminalized, and every effort is made to help people living with the virus, while providing them with support.
By criminalizing HIV non-disclosure here, in Canada, we are preventing people from living their lives freely and disclosing their status, all of which does more harm than good.
I don't want to monopolize the committee's time. I'm not sure whether my eight minutes are up, but that's what I wanted to say. Criminal Code provisions targeting people living with HIV/AIDS need to be reviewed and relaxed so that we can all work hand in hand for the better.
Thank you.