Speech for Opening News Conference
Remarks for
The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Health
and Minister Responsible for the
Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
at the Opening News Conference
August 13, 2006
Check Against Delivery
I am really honoured to be standing here this afternoon with some of the men and women who are leading a generation and a world towards positive change.
Over the coming days, I'm looking forward to meeting more people from around the world - people who are all leaders in their own communities and are contributing to this change.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, it is an honour and a privilege for Canada to host the 16th International AIDS Conference, the largest ever held.
This is going to be a hugely important event. I can easily say that this is one of the most significant events I have ever had the pleasure of attending and I'm looking forward to representing the Government of Canada and the people of Canada. The Government of Canada is engaged in and committed to the international, multilateral effort to fight HIV/AIDS and wants this conference to be a success.
I can't imagine another event around the world that brings together a more dynamic, diverse, committed group of people. And we need all of these people, all of their energy, all of their passion and their collective wisdom.
Worldwide, more people are living with HIV than reside in Canada. As we know, this burden is much greater in some parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the AIDS pandemic has caused economic and social devastation.
The people here are much more intimately acquainted with the impact of HIV/AIDS than I but I am looking forward to listening and learning over the coming days.
I know that I will never be able to fully comprehend the devastation that flows from the human loss associated with this pandemic but I am committed and the Government of Canada is committed to this fight.
We know we can only move forward through the collective efforts of governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies, community leaders and private individuals.
The work of Bill and Melinda Gates through the Gates Foundation is an inspiring example for all us. Their innovative approaches to some of the most challenging problems in the world demonstrates an excellent model for collective action. The world is benefiting and will continue to benefit for many years to come from their commitment to global health.
The Government of Canada is committed to doing its part and is ramping up spending through the Federal Initiative to address HIV/AIDS in Canada. The government has doubled its investment in the Federal Initiative to address HIV/AIDS from $42.2 million to $84.4 million annually by 2008-2009.
The goals of the Federal Initiative include among them preventing the acquisition and transmission of new infections; reducing the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS; and contributing to the global effort to reduce the spread of HIV and mitigate the impact of the disease.
Thank you very much for your participation this afternoon and I look forward to speaking with you again throughout the conference.
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