For our publications on past topics, click on \u201cFind Publications\u201d and search by topic.<\/p>\n
Unhoused people and people who use drugs have rights like all other people in Canada. However, Ontario\u2019s Safer Municipalities Act, 2025 (SMA) introduced new rules that give law enforcement, including some provincial offences officers, more powers to police drug use in public spaces. There are two parts to this law. Schedule 1 covers the public … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Download the Poster<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t If you have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) and use drugs, you may face extra barriers when trying to access shelter. GBV and drug use are interconnected. Women, trans, and gender-diverse people who experience violence are more likely to use drugs, and those who use drugs are more likely to face violence. Yet, many who use … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t If you are living in a shelter with your children, you may encounter family policing services \u2014 commonly called \u201cChildren\u2019s Aid Societies\u201d (CAS) or \u201cFamily and Children\u2019s Services\u201d (FCS). This can happen suddenly, without your knowledge or an explanation. Knowing your rights can help you feel more prepared and better able to protect yourself and … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t These recommendations were submitted to Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance ahead of the 2026 federal budget. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Shelters are more than temporary accommodation. They are essential services. They represent a safe space and a lifeline for many \u2014 and especially people who use drugs, who are overrepresented among people who are homeless and grappling with Canada\u2019s toxic drug crisis. Shelters often connect people to vital services that are otherwise out of reach, … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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\u2019s drug laws.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t This submission responds to key questions that the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism has raised in support of her upcoming visit to Canada. Our responses focus on people who use drugs, sex workers, people without permanent residence or citizenship, and people living with HIV in Canada.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t The HIV Legal Network (\u201cLegal Network\u201d)\u00a0 submited the following information to assist the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (\u201cOHCHR\u201d) in its preparation of a report on drug policy and its impact on the rights of women and girls. The Legal Network\u2019s submission focuses on the context in Canada.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n Search all publications<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t For Immediate Release \u2013 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 \u2013 Today, exactly one year since the Government of Ontario forced nine Consumption and Treatment Services sites (CTS, also known as supervised consumption … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t For Immediate Release \u2013 March 16, 2026 This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO).\u00a0 Toronto, ON \u2013 We unequivocally denounce the Government of Ontario\u2019s decision to end provincial funding for Consumption and Treatment Services (also known as supervised consumption services, or SCS) and … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t Issued by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2026 | Geneva\u00a0\u2014 \u00a0 Today in Geneva, United Nations Human Rights Committee members expressed surprise at Canada\u2019s claim that Article 6 of the\u00a0International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights\u00a0(ICCPR) does not require governments to take positive measures to protect life when it is … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t For immediate release The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) January 30, 2026 \u2013 Toronto \u2013 The HIV Legal Network (the Legal Network) and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) condemn the Government of Canada\u2019s decision to introduce co-payments under the … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t We are deeply disappointed by the Government of British Columbia\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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 December 1, 2025 \u2013 Toronto, ON \u2013 Today, on World AIDS Day, the HIV Legal Network has released its … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t 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 \u2013 Today, the HIV Legal Network is joined by people living with HIV … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n<\/div>\r\n\nKNOW YOUR RIGHTS – The Right to Access Violence Against Women Shelters for Women, Trans, and Gender-Diverse People Who Use Drugs<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS – Using, Carrying, and Storing Drugs In Shelter<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS – Encountering Family Policing Services in Violence Against Women Shelters<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Letter to Canadian Officials – United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Pre-Budget Submission – May 2026<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Shelter Right – Video<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Submission to the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
HIV Legal Network Comments – UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
March 2026 OHCHR Submission<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Remembering Our Friend, Stephen Lewis<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Organizations Worldwide Denounce Ontario\u2019s Decision to Defund Remaining Supervised Consumption Sites<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Statement on the Passage of Bill C-12<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Alberta\u2019s Decision to Close Supervised Consumption Sites Will Result in Needless Death<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
HIV Legal Network and HALCO condemn Government of Ontario\u2019s deadly decision to defund Consumption and Treatment Services<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Canada Challenged at United Nations Over Narrow Interpretation of Right to Life<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Statement – Introducing Co-Pays Under IFHP Will Push People Away from Care<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Statement on British Columbia\u2019s disastrous decision to end drug decriminalization pilot<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
On World AIDS Day, HIV Legal Network releases inaugural \u201cState of HIV in Canada\u201d report<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
HIV Legal Network launches key recommendations for the Government of Canada to end the HIV epidemic in this country<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t