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Our History
The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) is a provincial coalition of community-based organizations dedicated to responding to HIV and supporting people living with and affected by HIV across Ontario.
In 1986, about a dozen AIDS Service Organizations recognized the need for information-sharing and peer support; thus, the Ontario AIDS Network was born.
Through capacity-building programs, advocacy, and leadership, OAN plays a central role in uniting communities and addressing systemic barriers to health equity, including those affecting ACB, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and other disproportionately impacted communities.
The OAN unites and supports those working in HIV prevention, treatment and care in Ontario. We pursue knowledge exchange, advocacy and capacity building for people living with HIV and member organizations who are challenging stigma, fighting for social justice, and confronting HIV in Ontario communities.
The Ontario AIDS Network advocates for its member groups for sustainable funding, user-friendly legislation, and state-of-the-art treatment for all persons living with HIV/AIDS in the province. The OAN is a leader in the AIDS movement with representation on the Ontario Ministry of Health Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.
The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) leads a comprehensive and collective response to ending the HIV epidemic in Ontario.
Statement of Principles
The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) is a network of community-based organizations which were formed as a grass-roots response to needs for AIDS services and information. The OAN is grounded by the following key principles:
Greater Involvement and Meaningful Engagement of People with HIV/AIDS (GIPA/MEPA)
The OAN is a signatory to the Ontario Accord and commits to GIPA/MEPA. The lived experience of people living with, and vulnerable to, HIV drives and informs our activities and is the central focus of our work.
Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Stigma
OAN acknowledges and celebrates our diversity which includes: gender, culture, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language, ethnicity, immigration status and country of origin. We are committed to removing barriers that impede access to information and services. We train our staff and members to be sensitive and respectful to the needs of people from all backgrounds. We advocate for support and information that is personally meaningful and respectful of each person’s particular culture and socio-economic experience, is sex-positive, gay-positive and non-judgmental concerning injection drug use. We make accommodations to serve the specific needs of our diverse population. Those living with and affected by HIV continue to face stigma and discrimination in many aspects of their lives. The OAN will ensure that its members have the necessary tools, services and programs that will combat stigma and end discrimination.
Harm Reduction
OAN promotes and supports harm reduction strategies throughout our work. We build capacity and advocate for programs and services that reduce the health and social harms associated with sexual and drug-use practices. We respect individual rights and choices around drug use and seek to provide services that promote well-being of individuals.
Accountability and Transparency
The OAN is accountable to its stakeholders and operates in a transparent manner. We are responsive to the needs of our members, report on our actions and communicate regularly with our members.