Statement made on 01 December 2009 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, today marks World AIDS Day, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. This day provides an opportunity for all of us — individuals, communities and political leaders — to take action today and everyday to stop the global spread of this devastating disease.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Over 62,000 of them are right here in Canada. There are 2.7 million new infections each year. Globally, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of mortality among women of reproductive age.
Honourable senators, this year's theme is "universal access and human rights," chosen to highlight the critical link between universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for human rights in the response to the global AIDS epidemic. Without addressing and combating human rights abuses around the world, many of the populations at the greatest risk of being affected by HIV/AIDS will continue to lack access to prevention and treatment services.
In Canada, we, too, have a responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease and to properly treat those affected by it. This treatment includes providing support to harm reduction programs, like safe injection sites and needle exchange programs, for which a growing body of scientific evidence supports their efficacy. We must also ensure that health services and treatment are provided to all Canadians through sexual health centres, for example.
Honourable senators, we cannot let our ideologies trump public health and safety. We must do all we can to help reduce the spread of all communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS. We must be leaders at home and around the world.