Publication Language: English

JOINT SUBMISSION TO UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Equality and Non-discrimination with a Focus on Indigenous Women and Girls and Intersecting Forms of Discrimination

The HIV Legal Network and the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) make this submission in support of the plan of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (“CEDAW Committee”) to develop a new General Recommendation on Indigenous women on the topic of “equality and non-discrimination with a focus on Indigenous women and … Read more

JOINT SUBMISSION ON NEWMARKET’S PROPOSED BODY RUB PARLOUR BYLAW AMENDMENT

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network) and the HIV Legal Network are providing feedback with respect to the most recent proposed amendments to Newmarket’s body rub parlour bylaw. We urge the Newmarket Town Council to prioritize inclusion and respect as Newmarket community values — rather than promoting systemic racism and hateful perceptions of … Read more

MEDIA ADVISORY: LEADING CANADIAN HARM REDUCTION EXPERTS AND LAWMAKERS TO SPEAK AT 9TH SYMPOSIUM ON HIV, LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS

LEADING CANADIAN HARM REDUCTION EXPERTS AND LAWMAKERS TO SPEAK AT 9TH SYMPOSIUM ON HIV, LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS Media Invited to Join Virtual Sessions on Drug Policy Landscape in Canada For immediate release  Aussi disponible en français Members of the media are invited to attend Hitting the Mark: Ending the HIV pandemic by realizing rights for people who … Read more

MEDIA STATEMENT: CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS, FIVE FORMER TORONTO MAYORS CALL ON TORONTO TO DECRIMINALIZE SIMPLE DRUG POSSESSION NOW

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS, FIVE FORMER TORONTO MAYORS CALL ON TORONTO TO DECRIMINALIZE SIMPLE DRUG POSSESSION NOW HIV Legal Network comment on report to Toronto Board of Health report This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network. June 8, 2021 — As Toronto continues to experience unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths, each new month … Read more

National coalition comprised of people who use drugs and drug policy, human rights, and community organizations decry serious flaws in “Vancouver Model” and call for change

National coalition comprised of people who use drugs and drug policy, human rights, and community organizations decry serious flaws in “Vancouver Model” and call for change A system designed ‘by’ police is ‘for’ police, not the people it was intended to help. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 11, 2021 Vancouver, B.C.—A broad-based Canada-wide coalition of … Read more

HIV CRIMINALIZATION, WOMEN, AND GENDER-DIVERSE PEOPLE: AT THE MARGINS

This is a policy brief on the specific impact of HIV criminalization in Canada on women and gender-diverse people, including exploring how it contributes to, and manifests as a form of, gender-based violence. The brief identifies legal and policy issues that need to be addressed to reduce HIV criminalization and better protect women against gender-based … Read more

Letter to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Medical Inadmissability

The HIV Legal Network and HALCO have submitted this letter to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in response to new regulations amending the immigration and refugee protection regulation. “While the public policy changes made in 2018 to excessive demand in relation to medical inadmissibility — and in particular the decision to raise the threshold by … Read more

Joint Submission on Bill 251, Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021

In March 2020, the Ontario government announced a $307 million investment into a five-year anti-trafficking strategy. On February 22, 2021, Bill 251, Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021 was introduced by Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The stated purpose of the Act is to combat human trafficking and provide support for … Read more