For our publications on past topics, click on \u201cFind Publications\u201d and search by topic.<\/p>\n
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\t\t Everyone \u2014 including people who have been detained \u2014 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 \u2014 which allows for indefinite and punitive detention without comprehensive oversight \u2014 fails … 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 materials were prepared by the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), HIV Legal Network, African Caribbean Council on HIV\/ AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO), Africans in Partnership Against AIDS (APAA), and Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP). They will provide you with important information about the law in Canada. If\u00a0you need legal advice, … 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 Hard Time Persists: Healthcare and Harm Reduction in Canada\u2019s Prison System Hard Time Persists – Moving Forward Everyone benefits from improved healthcare in prison and imprisonment is not a justification for the denial of healthcare. Gaps in policy and practice in the provision of healthcare in prison settings fuels the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C … 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 Today we are sharing the second is a series of conversations we have had in recent months with people from Indigenous communities about the impact of HIV criminalization. In Canada, Indigenous people, especially women and youth, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Even though Indigenous people are only 5% of the total population, studies from 2020 … 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 Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing conversations we have had in recent months with people from Indigenous communities about the impact of HIV criminalization. In Canada, Indigenous people, especially women and youth, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Even though Indigenous people are only 5% of the total population, studies from 2020 that … 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 IMPORTANT LEGAL UPDATE REGARDING REFUGEE CLAIMS IN CANADA On March 26, 2026, the government of Canada passed a new law called Strengthening Canada\u2019s 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<\/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\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 Les taux de VIH sont en hausse, alors que nous savons ce qu\u2019il faut faire pour pr\u00e9venir les nouvelles infections et prot\u00e9ger la sant\u00e9 et les droits humains des personnes s\u00e9ropositives et affect\u00e9es par le VIH. 1er\u00a0d\u00e9cembre 2025, Toronto (Ont.) \u2013 Aujourd\u2019hui, \u00e0 l\u2019occasion de la Journ\u00e9e mondiale de lutte contre le sida, le R\u00e9seau … 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\nSubmission 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
Video – Hard Time Persists – Immigration<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
HIV and the Criminal Law in Canada – Black Communities<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Hard Time Persists Videos<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Not A Crime – Indigenous Perspectives on HIV Criminalization – Anton McCloskey<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
Not A Crime – Indigenous Perspectives on HIV Criminalization – Margaret Kisikaw Piyesis<\/a><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
NEW RULES IMPACTING REFUGEE CLAIMS<\/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
En cette Journ\u00e9e mondiale de lutte contre le sida, premier rapport sur \u00ab L\u2019\u00e9tat du VIH au Canada \u00bb par le R\u00e9seau juridique VIH<\/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