The OAN was asked to provide a statement for the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Monday, April 9th on the topic of HIV Criminalization in Canada. National Coordinator of the Positive Leadership Development Institute (PLDI), Martin Bilodeau, presented before the committee following the completion of a national statement with Richard Elliott, Executive Director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. Many thanks to these two gentlemen for their work, and a hats off to Martin for presenting remotely while on vacation in Paris! Bravo!

The OAN has found an amazing new office space! After 5 years behind mirrored window panes overlooking Jarvis Street, the Ontario AIDS Network and the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) will be moving to a bright, accessible space, around the corner in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Our new address information will be shared as soon as we have settled into the space – by May 1st! We are looking forward to sharing the next chapter of the OAN & GMSH with you!

Will people living with HIV ever be able to stop taking antiretroviral drugs? Toronto to Zero is hosting a free lecture by Dr. Tae-Wook Chun, internationally recognized HIV scientist who first described how HIV hides in inactive immune cells at Casey House, in Toronto. Now a tenured scientist at the American National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Chun’s work continues to focus on eliminating persistent reservoirs of virus in the human body. The goal of his research is to develop treatment strategies to allow people living with HIV to maintain undetectable viral loads without daily antiretroviral drugs. The event is free

Dates for next Positive Leadership Development Institute have been announced! PLDI Core Training April 25-28 2019 (London); PLDI Communication Training July 19-21 2019 (Toronto); PLDI Governance Training March 13-15 2020 (Toronto); PLDI Facilitator Training February 7-9 2020 (Toronto). Reach out to Tara Jewal with any questions.

The Ontario PrEP Cohort Study (ONPrEP) is looking for PrEP users to participate their research project! Are you currently on PrEP? If so, have your voice heard and take part in the Ontario PrEP Cohort Study! Participation is open to any adult starting or using PrEP in Ontario. Compensation is provided. You can learn more about the project by either visiting ONPrEP.ca or contacting the Provincial Study Coordinator at 416-864-6060 ext 77395. 

*As registration response to HALCO’s scheduled April 11 workshop was overwhelming, this additional date has been added*  Join presenter Jill McNall (HALCO Community Legal Worker and licensed paralegal) at the 519 Church Street Community Centre in a workshop which will provide an overview of what is known about the changes that the Ontario Government have announced for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) – what the changes might mean and what to do next. Thursday  May 2, 2019 1:30pm – 4 p.m The 519 Ballroom,  2nd Floor, 519 Church Street, Toronto (just north of Wellesley Street East) Everyone is welcome to attend this in-person general interest workshop but space is limited

Thank you to all who were able to join us for this year’s OAN Honour Roll celebration! Buddies in Bad Times Theatre overflowed with love, support and gratitude for this year’s recipients: Amutha Samgam, Sarah Burtch, Tom Hammond and the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society. Thank you, also, to those who sent us their photos from the event! If you would like to access your photobooth photos, Tara can send you your pictures on request. Email tjewal@oan.red to receive your picture! It’s important that we take the time to recognize those in our community who are making exceptional changes to our sector. And we hope that the Honour Roll accomplished

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their annual OAN Membership Renewal Fee! Keep ’em coming! Your membership helps cover the cost of our AGM and affords you access to our Skills Workshop Series, HR Consultants and an agency account with HR Downloads. In accordance with our current bylaw, 2019 – 2020 fees are due by April 30, 2019.

Want meet, mingle, have a fun time and boogie down with a chill mixed sero-status crowd with energetic beats by DJ Sumation and performance by Jade Elektra? Of course you do! CHAMP IN ACTION, a program of ACAS, is hosting the Poz-TO Mingle #HIV Social Event in support of Ontario Positive Asians (OPA+) and creating a safe and accessible space at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Friday, March 29! Poz-TO Mingle Friday March 29, 2019 7pm – 10pm No charge (but donations gladly accepted at the door!) More details can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

National HIV Testing Day is coming up on June 27, 2019 – and the OAN is hosting a ZOOM meeting for all interested Members and Affiliate Members who wish to get on board! Next Thursday, March 21 from 1pm – 2pm login and hear from Gilbert Centre Executive Director and CAS Board Member Gerry Croteau, National Programs and Fundraising Manager Kelly Puddister and Executive Director Gary Lacasse about what it would mean to participate in National HIV Testing Day at an agency level, as well as provide some insight into the benefits of this united national effort. Directors have received the login information this afternoon via email