The calls for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's head continued yesterday at the 16th International AIDS Conference when activists learned the Conservatives were cutting funding for housing for HIV positive Canadians.
At AIDS 2006, where the theme is Time to Deliver, activists learned the government is not going to come through on a commitment made by Minister of Human Resources Diane Finley to extend funding for the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative program.
"The Canadian government should be using this opportunity at AIDS 2006 to show leadership in HIV/AIDS. It is inexcusable and irresponsible to abandon our most vulnerable citizens by removing the community's ability to provide them with even the most basic human need -- shelter," said Monique Doolittle-Romas, executive director of the Canadian AIDS Society.
"Supportive, transitional and affordable housing are essential components of the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. The broad government funding cuts will force AIDS organizations to shut down their housing support programs this fall."
Harper's government will not make any announcements about HIV funding or other measures to coincide with the International AIDS Conference because the prime minister says the issue has become too "politicized."
Nor will Harper's government say this week whether it plans to renew support for North America's only safe-injection site for drug users, located in Vancouver.
Former president Bill Clinton said safe-injection sites curb the spread of HIV and closing it would be a mistake.
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A spokesman for Health Minister Tony Clement said there will be no announcement before the conference ends wraps up and 31,000 delegates return to their homes around the world.
Harper said earlier this week that his government is providing significant funding for research into preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, with more to be announced in coming weeks.
"Unfortunately, the issue has been so politicized this week that this is probably not the time for us to make additional announcements," said Harper, who has been chastised for not attending the AIDS conference.
Stephen Lewis, UN special envoy for AIDS in Africa, dismissed Harper's "politicized" comment as preposterous.
"They've left a sour taste in everyone's mouth. The entire activist, research, scientific world is now skeptical about Canada's intention and motives."
