In December 2008, as he presented his new Council of Ministers, Premier Jean Charest promised a “collaborative, compassionate and action-oriented government,” However in the fall of 2009, it was announced that the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec’s communication budget for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (ITSS) and HIV was being cut by 75% and the World AIDS Day campaign, eliminated. The recession was blamed, and yet, this day is highlighted in countries poorer than ours.

A few weeks away from the 21st World AIDS Day, the Minister finally announced that the ITSS and HIV communication budget was being reinstated, as well as a December 1st campaign. Of course, we acknowledge the effort, while being alarmed that for the second consecutive year – in 2008 also – the budget had been put at risk of major cuts, relegating the ITSS and HIV issue to the background.

Should we fear that HIV has been trivialized once and for all by the government although there are 15,000 to 17,000 living with HIV in Quebec! After more than twenty-five years of struggle, one would think that the general population would understand HIV/AIDS well enough not to fear persons suffering from it. However, today still, ignorance breeds fear and prejudice, sometimes causing more harm than the disease itself.

This is why awareness-raising and education of the population are essential in the fight against HIV/AIDS so that persons suffering from these diseases feel accepted and an integral part of society…

Maryse Laroche,
Directrice, Bureau Local d’intervention traitant du sida, Centre-du-Québec