Policy Briefs
A current record of standing for ACT on issues impacting the health and well-being of people living with HIV and AIDS and those at increased risk of HIV.
ACT Policy Briefs
Below are ACT’s policy briefs. These tackle a single issue and articulates ACT’s viewpoint around it. Policy briefs exist around issues that impacts and/or is related to the agency’s programs, services, strategic goals, mandate and/or mission.
April 2023 UPDATE: Some policy briefs are currently unavailable, we're sorry for any inconvenience. They'll be back up before you know it!
At ACT, we are committed to the advancement of comprehensive harm reduction strategies which recognize the diverse needs of our community. We emphasize the value of safer sex initiatives, harm reduction equipment distribution, provision of a safer drug supply, and the creation of safer injection sites, alongside effective procedures for handling drug poisoning events. We acknowledge the unique goals among people who inject drugs (PWID) and understand that not all are looking to reduce or cease their drug use. As such, we advocate for flexible and tailored treatment programs. A harm reduction approach is a pivotal mechanism for lessening harm among PWID, while also combating the stigma that often creates barriers to essential healthcare services.
ACT supports Bill C-4, an act that amends Canada’s Criminal Code through the development of new criminal offenses related to conversion therapy put into effect January 7, 2022. The new offenses consist of knowingly causing another person to undergo therapy, promoting, or advertising conversion therapy, and receiving financial or material benefit from conversion therapy.
Criminal law is an ineffective and inappropriate tool with which to address HIV exposure. HIV and AIDS are a health issue first and foremost and should be addressed as such. All legal and policy responses to HIV and AIDS should be based on the best available evidence, the objectives of HIV prevention, care, treatment and support, and respect for human rights.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that people living with HIV who have a sustained undetectable viral load for six months or more have a negligible – meaning so insignificant, small, or unimportant as to not worth being considered – chance of passing on the virus during sex, regardless of whether condoms are used. This applies to all genders and methods of sexual transmission, including vaginal, front hole, anal and oral.
Given this breakthrough, ACT is confident in the use of effective HIV treatment as a reliable form of HIV prevention
Feedback or comments on where ACT stands? Get in touch with ACT’s Communications Coordinator at communications@actoronto.org.
