Our Work

As a region, the Caribbean has the second-highest HIV prevalence rate in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa. UNAIDS and regional and national agencies have long identified homophobia as a factor contributing to this startling statistic. The legal and social environment varies significantly across the region, as does community organizing to defend and advance the human … Read more

Dear Minister Jones and Dr. Kieran Moore: cc:  Medical Officers of Health, Ontario       Public Health Ontario       Ontario Public Health Association       Infection Prevention and Control Canada       Public Health Agency of Canada       Association of Local Public Health Agencies RE: Prohibition of sterile … Read more

Find out about the legal implications of operating an Overdose Prevention Site in Ontario and protections for operators and patrons. Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS) and Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) are proven to save lives. In Ontario, 6-7 people die each day from toxic, unregulated drugs. Yet, as of 2025, Ontario has closed various kinds of consumption … Read more

June 17, 2025 The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P. Minister of Public Safety House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, P.C., M.P. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 RE: The Strong Borders Act and its Harm to People Living with HIV and Other … Read more

In 2007, the HIV Legal Network (Legal Network) published Hard Time: HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention Programming for Prisoners in Canada, exploring health and harm reduction policies and practices in Canada’s provincial, territorial, and federal prisons. Then, as now, the Legal Network confirmed that everyone benefits from improved healthcare in prison, and that imprisonment is … Read more

Shelters are more than temporary accommodation. They are essential services. They represent a safe space and a lifeline for many — and especially people who use drugs, who are overrepresented among people who are homeless and grappling with Canada’s toxic drug crisis. Shelters often connect people to vital services that are otherwise out of reach, … Read more

kiskinohtahêw (s/he guides someone) proposing a legal remedies action plan to support and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in alignment with Canadian law This action plan outlines specific measures to ensure that Canada’s laws are consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, based on … Read more

On Friday, April 11, the HIV Legal Network wrote to the party leaders in the Canadian Federal election with key questions on their party’s positions on issues related to HIV, human rights, and the law.  Download the response from the Bloc Québécois, received on April 16, 2025 (French only):

On Friday, April 11, the HIV Legal Network wrote to the party leaders in the Canadian Federal election with key questions on their party’s positions on issues related to HIV, human rights, and the law.  Download the response from the Green Party of Canada, received on April 22, 2025:

More than 600 medical and legal experts issued an open letter today calling on the Government of Ontario to allow the distribution of syringes at HART Hubs Toronto ON – The Ontario government is endangering the health of people who use drugs by prohibiting the distribution of sterile needles and syringes through the province’s newly … Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Despite Ontario Superior Court injunction recognizing irreparable harm, most remaining supervised consumption sites still facing forced closure tomorrow Toronto, ON | March 31, 2025 — In a small victory for those advocating for evidence-informed services, one Toronto supervised consumption site facing forced closure April 1, 2025, will keep its doors open as … Read more

This statement can be attributed to The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and the HIV Legal Network March 26, 2025 – TORONTO – As of Tuesday, March 25, court proceedings in this challenge to Ontario’s Community Care and Recovery Act (CCRA) have now concluded. We are proud of the case we mounted at the Ontario Superior … Read more

We intervened in this critical legal challenge to uphold the health and human rights of those who are all too often pushed aside. For immediate release                                                                                                                           The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), co-intervenors in the court challenge to Ontario’s Community Care and … Read more

DECEMBER 10, 2024 – Toronto, ON – Today, The Neighbourhood Group Community Services (TNGCS), located in Toronto’s Kensington Market, has taken legal action against the Community Care and Recovery Act, which was recently passed in the Ontario Legislature as part of Bill 223. The Act will force the closure of at least 10 supervised consumption … Read more

People living with HIV in Canada still live under the threat of ongoing criminalization; Canadian Government’s decision to abandon law reform efforts met with disappointment and anger November 28, 2024 – Ottawa, ON — With World AIDS Day approaching on December 1, and as a 2025 federal election looms, the Government of Canada has communicated … Read more

This statement can be attributed to the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, the Drug Strategy Network of Ontario, and the HIV Legal Network. November 27, 2024 — Toronto, ON | We are watching with grave concern as the Government of Ontario attempts to force through radical legislation that will eliminate life-saving supervised consumption services (SCS) and … Read more

Advocates denounce the Government’s deliberate choice to legislate an increase in deaths, public drug use, and healthcare costs by eliminating supervised consumption services This statement can be attributed to the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Drug Strategy Network of Ontario, HIV Legal Network, and Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. November 20, 2024 – Earlier this week, … Read more

Ontario’s new restrictions on supervised consumption services will result in more death during a worsening drug poisoning crisis; dead people cannot enter treatment. This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network, the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Area (ACCKWA), Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Drug Strategy Network of Ontario, DIY Community Health … Read more

For immediate release Aussi disponible en français : The Government of Canada knows that law reform is needed but has yet to act in Parliament — and the world is watching as international advocates gather at AIDS 2024 in Munich The following statement can be attributed to the Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization July 16, … Read more