Canadian civil society organizations are calling on Canada to continue showing leadership in global health, human rights, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR) by supporting a strong Political Declaration at the HLM in June. Specifically, we urge Canada to demonstrate leadership in negotiations on the draft of the Political Declaration by supporting language … 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
This submission to the Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law focuses on human rights violations against people in Canada of African descent, in the context of Canada’s drug laws.
The HIV Legal Network (“Legal Network”) submited the following information to assist the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (“OHCHR”) in its preparation of a report on drug policy and its impact on the rights of women and girls. The Legal Network’s submission focuses on the context in Canada.
Everyone — including people who have been detained — has a right to the highest attainable standard of health and to healthcare that is at least equivalent to that which is available in the community, whatever their immigration status. The current system — which allows for indefinite and punitive detention without comprehensive oversight — fails … Read more
IMPORTANT LEGAL UPDATE REGARDING REFUGEE CLAIMS IN CANADA On March 26, 2026, the government of Canada passed a new law called Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. Among the serious changes, the new law significantly limits who can make a refugee claim in Canada. NEW RULES IMPACTING REFUGEE CLAIMS One-year limit to making a … Read more
On February 12, 2026, the HIV Legal Network hosted two webinars focused on current threats to harm reduction in Canada. The webinar, Hard Time for Harm Reduction: Saving Supervised Consumption Sites, was a 90-minute virtual event that brought together frontline workers, community organizers, advocates, researchers, and elected officials. Together, they examined growing legal and political … Read more
On February 24, 2026, the HIV Legal Network hosted the webinar Hard Time for Harm Reduction: Perspectives on Prison Programs. The discussion brought together advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, frontline workers, and individuals with lived experience to examine harm reduction and healthcare in Canadian prisons. The event was the second of two webinars focused on growing … Read more
This summary report presents important findings from six Indigenous community dialogues conducted across Canada from 2023-2025. The dialogues were organized by the HIV Legal Network and CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks as part of a broader project examining Indigenous Peoples’ lived experiences with HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
This summary report presents findings related to sex work from six Indigenous community dialogues conducted across Canada from 2023-2025. The dialogues were organized by the HIV Legal Network and CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks as part of a broader project examining Indigenous Peoples’ lived experiences with HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and other sexually transmitted and … Read more