Our Work

This guide is for women living with HIV who are experiencing — or are at risk of — intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse by a current or former partner. It is not only harmful: it is also against the law. IPV can affect anyone — relevant here … Read more

March 31st 2026 The Honourable Doug Ford, MPP Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Via email: premier@ontario.ca | doug.fordco@pc.ola.org The Honourable Sylvia Jones, MPP Deputy Premier, Minister of Health Via email: sylvia.jones@ontario.ca | sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org The Honourable Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Via email: vijay.thanigasalam@ontario.ca | vijay.thanigasalam@pc.ola.org Dear Premier Ford, Minister Jones, … Read more

Supervised consumption sites are not a standalone solution to the overdose crisis or the challenges associated with substance use — but they are a critical and irreplaceable component of a comprehensive, evidence based system of care. The evidence is unambiguous: SCS reduce fatal overdoses, prevent disease transmission, connect clients to treatment, and serve as anchors … Read more

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The HIV Legal Network and HALCO strongly oppose the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 (MRPIDAA), which risks further destabilizing access to housing and deepening the harms experienced by people who use drugs. By introducing new provincial offences that will expose landlords to significant penalties where they are found to have “knowingly … Read more

In this submission, the HIV Legal Network and HALCO urge the Ontario government to repeal the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act and reject new proposals to extend coercive arrest and enforcement authority to transit constables.

This letter – co-signed by the HIV Legal Network and other organizations that work directly with or advocate for the rights-respecting treatment of people in federal custody – shares serious concerns about the impacts of the October 1, 2025 changes to Correctional Services Canada’s Opioid Agonist Treatment policy, including the delisting of Suboxone and the … Read more

The HIV Legal Network made this submission to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (“Committee”) in advance of its review of Canada’s periodic report, detailing our concerns about Canada’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This submission provides information on violations of Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, and … Read more

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) recently changed the OAT medications available to people in federal prisons. As of October 1, 2025, Suboxone is no longer part of CSC’s National Formulary. Suboxone has been replaced by Sublocade as the first-line treatment option for opioid use disorder (OUD). If you are on Suboxone, you will be asked to … Read more

The Legal Network and HALCO oppose the proposed amendment to the Coroners Act that seeks to replace mandatory inquests for non-natural deaths in provincial and federal correctional institutions with mandatory coroner-led annual reviews. This proposal represents a significant erosion of transparency and government accountability. While the Ministry frames this change as an efficiency measure, it … Read more

Alongside friends, colleagues, and communities the world over, the HIV Legal Network mourns the passing of Stephen Lewis. He was a true champion for those living with and affected by HIV, a committed human rights activist, and a mensch beyond measure. Today, the world feels heavier without Stephen in it. Stephen Lewis shone an incredible … Read more

For Immediate Release – March 31, 2026 Communities across Ontario are already witnessing the adverse effects of March 2025 closures; one year on, things are only going to get worse. Toronto, ON – Today, exactly one year since the Government of Ontario forced nine Consumption and Treatment Services sites (CTS, also known as supervised consumption … Read more

This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network & HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO). On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received Royal Assent and became law, despite significant and sustained concerns by civil society organizations, legal experts, and international human rights bodies. The … Read more

This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. As organizations working to advance policies grounded in human rights and public health, HIV Legal Network and the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition strongly condemn the decision by the Government of Alberta to close the last remaining supervised consumption sites … Read more

For Immediate Release – March 16, 2026 This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO).  Toronto, ON – We unequivocally denounce the Government of Ontario’s decision to end provincial funding for Consumption and Treatment Services (also known as supervised consumption services, or SCS) and … Read more

Issued by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2026 | Geneva —   Today in Geneva, United Nations Human Rights Committee members expressed surprise at Canada’s claim that Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) does not require governments to take positive measures to protect life when it is … Read more

For immediate release The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) January 30, 2026 – Toronto – The HIV Legal Network (the Legal Network) and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) condemn the Government of Canada’s decision to introduce co-payments under the … Read more

We are deeply disappointed by the Government of British Columbia’s move to end its drug decriminalization pilot at the end of this month. This disastrous decision is a major step back in the efforts to end a toxic drug crisis that has killed more than 16,000 people in BC over the past decade; more lives … Read more

Les taux de VIH sont en hausse, alors que nous savons ce qu’il faut faire pour prévenir les nouvelles infections et protéger la santé et les droits humains des personnes séropositives et affectées par le VIH. 1er décembre 2025, Toronto (Ont.) – Aujourd’hui, à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida, le Réseau … Read more

HIV rates are on the rise, and yet we know what needs to be done to prevent new transmissions while protecting the health and centering the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV November 27, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Today, the HIV Legal Network is joined by people living with HIV … Read more