Canada

Abstract

This chapter reviews Canada's response to its HIV epidemic. The Canada Health Act, with its five principles, has broadly influenced the response to the HIV epidemic. The CSHA and Health Canada provide guidelines for various HIV-related policy issues, while each province and territory develops its own response to the epidemic. Canada's universal healthcare system has not eliminated inequity in access to treatment and care, although it is not as marked as that observed in other systems. Other problems include complacency and resurgence in the third decade of the HIV epidemic, despite prevention and education programmes, and the cost of healthcare.