News Release

1996-71
October 4, 1996

AIDS projects to strengthen community support

OTTAWA - Health Minister David Dingwall announced the approval of four AIDS projects that will enhance the support of people living with HIV/AIDS at the community level.

The approval of the projects coincides with the sixth annual AIDS Awareness Week campaign organized by the Canadian AIDS Society. This year's theme, Substance Use and HIV/AIDS, aims to sensitize the public to the relationship between the use of alcohol and other drugs and HIV/AIDS, especially among Canada's youth. The federal government is supporting the campaign by providing funding to the Canadian AIDS Society for the development of resource materials.

"There is an urgent need to prevent the increase of HIV infection through public awareness and direct involvement of all members of the community, including youth," said the Minister. "Over the years, the Government has played a significant part in supporting efforts to stop the spread of this disease as well as initiatives in the areas of care, treatment and support for those infected."

The four projects, totalling $492,800 and funded under the National AIDS Strategy include:

• $136,500 to the Canadian AIDS Society to implement a project that will enhance the skills of support service workers to meet the needs of individuals who are both persons living with AIDS and substance abusers;
• $150,000 to the Canadian Association for Community Care (CACC) to facilitate and complete training sessions for home support workers in Quebec and the Northwest Territories;
• $40,000 to the Native Women's Association of Canada to assess the need for culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS information for Aboriginal women;
• $166,300 to the Canadian AIDS Society for a project that will empower youth to develop programs to confront AIDS.

Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

These initiatives are an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

Media Inquiries:
Sylvie Patry
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991