Legal Network News – November 9, 2022

Without our supporters, none of our work is possible. Whether we’re challenging homophobic laws that criminalize same-sex intimacy or advocating for Criminal Code reform to protect the human rights of people living with HIV, sex workers, and people who use drugs in Canada, our work is vital – and it costs both time and money. We literally … Read more

Legal Network News – November 3, 2022

Last month, the Government of Canada announced the start of a public consultation on HIV criminalization. From now until January, you can have your say and tell the government that it’s past time to change the misguided and harmful law on HIV non-disclosure. Your participation is crucial The federal government needs to hear from you … Read more

Legal Network News – November 1, 2022

Introducing Our New Podcast: Not a Crime Today, on International Drug Users Day, we will begin sharing stories of criminalization from around the world through our new podcast, Not a Crime. Featuring interviews with our policy analysts along with people working farther afield, Not a Crime will highlight the impact of criminalization on people living … Read more

Podcast: Not a Crime

Featuring interviews with our policy analysts along with people working farther afield, Not a Crime will highlight the impact of criminalization on people living with HIV and people who use drugs over the coming months. June 16 , 2025 – How Media Narratives Further the Harms of HIV Criminalization March 25, 2025 – Talking to … Read more

MEDIA STATEMENT: THE HIV LEGAL NETWORK APPLAUDS R. v. NDHLOVU SUPREME COURT DECISION

THE HIV LEGAL NETWORK APPLAUDS R. v. NDHLOVU SUPREME COURT DECISION For immediate release – The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network. October 28, 2022 – Today the Supreme Court of Canada struck down legislation that has, since 2011, required that people convicted of aggravated sexual assault, the offence under which HIV … Read more

Legal Network News – October 27, 2022

Thirty years ago this December, a group of activists came together to create what we now call the HIV Legal Network. Their mission was to support and protect the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV. Thanks to the support of thousands of people over the past three decades, we have been … Read more

Legal Network News = October 20, 2022

Since the Legal Network was founded in 1992, we have steadfastly promoted the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV, punitive laws and policies, and criminalization, in Canada and around the world. The scope of our work has grown over the past 30 years, … Read more

Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Review of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

This submission was made to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs by the Centre On Drug Policy Evaluation and the HIV Legal Network on the Review of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on September 21, 2022.

The Carceral Web: Overview of laws affecting migrant sex workers

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network) and the HIV Legal Network recognize sex work is work and respect the agency of sex workers and migrants. We also recognize the harms caused by criminalization, policing, and laws and policies that discriminate against migrant sex workers. We fight for the dignity, rights, and justice of … Read more