Senators' Statements

Honourable senators, I rise to bring to your attention that today, February 7, 2017, is African, Caribbean and Black Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean Network, or CHABAC, and its partners coordinated the first awareness day in Canada on February 7, 2015. We all need to be concerned about this growing health issue, and the theme for this year is timely and appropriate: "Start a conversation. Know your health options. End the stigma."

Honourable colleagues, as you are aware, February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate and recognize the achievements of African Canadians. February 7 is thereby the opportune time to pause and start a conversation about HIV and AIDS in the African Canadian community.

Despite efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, people from African Canadian communities are disproportionately affected. In 2014, they represented an estimated 16 per cent, or one in seven, of people living with HIV in Canada, while representing only 2.5 per cent of the population. This is a disturbing statistic that ought to concern us.

Many factors increase the vulnerability of African Canadians, including the impact of racism and discrimination based on race, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. These factors affect access to information, resources and services. Given this broader context, it is important to raise awareness about HIV to promote HIV prevention and regular testing.

The reality of HIV-related stigma within African-Canadian communities needs great attention. Such stigma may originate from religious briefs and uncomfortable silence about health, healthy sexuality and homophobia. Regardless of the source, stigma forces people of African descent living with HIV to isolate themselves and discourages many from seeking testing, treatment or support services.

Therefore, honourable colleagues, I invite all of you to help start a conversation about HIV/AIDS in our communities. Perhaps you can take part in a local event or join the conversation by posting on social media, using the hashtag "#BlackHIVDay."

Please join me in thanking CHABAC for all of their hard work in bringing awareness to all Canadians about HIV/AIDS and their realities in African, Caribbean and Black communities across the country. Thank you.