Justice committee  Great. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to thank members of the committee for the opportunity to speak to all of you today. My name is Shannon Thomas Ryan and I'm the Executive Director of the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, otherwise known as Black CAP. Black CAP is a non-profit organization with a mandate to address HIV in Toronto's African, Caribbean and black communities.

Justice committee  From my perspective, and I'm sure there's academic evidence out there that could speak to this, it is largely anecdotal. We do hear from folks every day about the articles and stories they see in their local papers. We have many conversations with our community members about their understanding of non-disclosure law.

Justice committee  We strongly endorse the consensus statement as well. Speaking as a community person here, I'll say that misrepresentation is a funny thing in the context of sexual relationships. It can happen on many levels in many ways. We've all, perhaps, done it in our lives and in our relationships at some point.

Justice committee  It absolutely does. There's no doubt about that.

Justice committee  People living with HIV?

Justice committee  Probably 20 to 30.

Justice committee  Yes.

Justice committee  Yes, absolutely.

Justice committee  It's probably 100% for those who are aware of the criminal—

Justice committee  Yes, it absolutely deters people from testing.

Justice committee  Yes.

Justice committee  Absolutely, and I'd add to that. It would increase rates of testing, but it would also increase access to treatments.

Justice committee  Ideally, yes, if there are a number of important components in place, including universal access to treatment and a number of other things.

Justice committee  Absolutely.

Justice committee  Yes.