In the fight to end HIV in Canada, PSAC is working with MAX Ottawa, a community organization for queer men’s health, to uncover and address the gaps in access to life-saving HIV prevention and treatment.  

Since announcing our partnership last year, we’ve focused on several key priorities, including: 

• Conducting a province-by-province analysis to identify best practices and policy gaps; 
• Engaging with community groups and healthcare providers to gather insights into the barriers faced on the ground; 
• And exploring successful models from around the world that could inform solutions in Canada. 

These efforts are critical to ensuring equitable access to HIV prevention and care nationwide. 

Ensuring historic pharmacare plan leaves no one behind 

In October, PSAC joined the Canadian Labour Congress in celebrating a historic milestone with the passage of the Pharmacare Act. However, it’s just the first step in our fight for a truly comprehensive, single-payer public pharmacare program.  

Bill C-64 provides the framework, but now it’s up to provincial and territorial governments to sign bilateral agreements to fully and equitably implement the plan across the country. It’s also essential that this program includes access to life-changing HIV treatment medications and preventative medications like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). 

Currently, access to PrEP varies across provinces and territories. Without private insurance, a monthly supply costs between $250 and $1,000. While British Columbia offers PrEP at no cost to eligible individuals through centralized clinics, other provinces rely on patchwork systems of public and private coverage, and some have no programs at all. These gaps disproportionately impact Indigenous, racialized, and other marginalized communities, as well as those in rural areas. 

PSAC and MAX Ottawa remain committed to breaking down barriers that prevent access to HIV prevention and care. On this World AIDS Day, we celebrate the progress that’s been made, while reaffirming our dedication to building a future where no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.