Mr. Speaker, today, December 1, is the eighth annual World AIDS Day.
Since the global epidemic of this dreadful disease was first documented and up to the end of 1994, an estimated 19.5 million men, women and children have contacted HIV. The World Health Organization estimates that the total number could more than double by the year 2000.
AIDS is the most deadly scourge ever faced by humankind. Those who suffer with the ravages of this disease, their families and friends, indeed all of us can count ourselves among the victims of AIDS.
I urge all Canadians to continue to support the battle against this devastating illness. The efforts of every one of us are needed if we are ever to celebrate the last World AIDS Day, the day when we can finally claim victory over this deadly killer.