Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) is failing to meet its goals. Most people living with HIV/AIDS continue to be denied life-saving treatment, in part due to the high costs of patented drugs. The need for affordable medicines is clear; and Canada must ensure that the CAMR fulfills its humanitarian goals.
“We write in response to the Consultation Paper released in November 2006 as part of the government’s review of what is now described as ‘Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime’ (CAMR), the legislative scheme under the Patent Act and the Food and Drugs Act to enable compulsory licensing of patented pharmaceuticals for the purpose of exporting … Read more
In 2005, courts in the United Kingdom dismissed a prisoner’s case against the British government. The prisoner was seeking a court order to force the government to implement sterile syringe programs in prisons as a measure to reduce the risk of infection with blood-borne diseases such as HIV through the sharing of drug injection equipment. … Read more
“[B]y reopening debate on this issue [the Civil Marriage Act] in the House of Commons and possibly backpedaling on the equal right of same-sex couples to marry, Canada is in danger of joining the ranks of countries that champion human rights only selectively to suit political circumstances. The consequences of such an outcome would be … Read more
Safer tattooing programs should be implemented in all prisons in Canada, says Director of Communications Leon Mar in this World AIDS Day op-ed, published in the Toronto Star on December 1, 2006.
Two years ago, Parliament unanimously passed a law to ease access to lower-cost, generic medicines for developing countries confronting an ongoing tide of suffering and death. But so far not a single pill has left Canada. During AIDS 2006, federal Health Minister Tony Clement promised that the government would review the law and fix it … Read more
“On behalf of the 225 organizational and individual members of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, I am writing to express our dismay over the recent decision of the Ville-Marie arrondissement to close the parks of the centre city to the public at night. This decision is sure to result in further criminalization of homeless people … Read more
“We believe that the time is right to launch a public process to develop and adopt such a policy with human rights at its centre. Among areas needing attention are: fundamental reforms to the human rights dialogue between Canada and China; other strategies and mechanisms focused on human rights; trade and investment; conditions for development … Read more
Brief presented on September 26, 2006 to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights regarding Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment).