The following statement was issued today by John Ottenheimer, Minister of Health and Community Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise in this House today in recognition of World AIDS Day. On this day each year, we are united in our support for the individuals, families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2005 � Wise up and Wear it � encourages us all to wear a red ribbon as a sign of support for people living with HIV and a symbol of hope for the future.

HIV is one of the biggest social, economic and health challenges in the world, with over 40 million people in the world living with HIV/AIDS. Every day in Canada, 11 people are newly infected with HIV, reinforcing the need for ongoing HIV prevention.

Government is proud to support the efforts of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador in its efforts to support those individuals infected with HIV/AIDS, prevent the spread of new infection through education, network with other groups working in AIDS related areas, and advocate for social and political change.

As part of our commitment to engaging in preventative programming, our government recently provided the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador with $50,000 to support a Needle Exchange Program. The program, titled Safe Works Access Program, provides services and information needed to help prevent HIV and Hepatitis B and C being transmitted from one infected person to another through shared needles and other injection equipment.

Stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Fear of discrimination prevents people from seeking testing or treatment, or from acknowledging or dealing with their HIV status. Throughout his battle with this disease, Tommy Sexton continued to strive to eliminate the stigma and discrimination surrounding this disease. By confronting this stigma, as Tommy did, we can encourage individuals to join the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Each year we celebrate Tommy Sexton�s legacy in AIDS awareness in our province at the annual Tommy Sexton Benefit Concert. This annual fundraiser, organized by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Tommy Sexton Foundation, raises money to support people living with HIV/AIDS across the province. This year�s event will be held Saturday, December 10 from 4 to 8 pm at the Masonic Temple in St. John�s and I encourage my colleagues and members of the public to support this worthwhile cause.

I ask all Honourable colleagues to join with me in wearing a red ribbon today in support of those living with AIDS and in the hope that one day there will be a cure for this disease.

2005 12 01                           1:45 p.m.