"Your commitment shows an unflagging determination to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS that has proven to be an invaluable resource in [this] ongoing struggle. In promoting greater communication within and among the different communities, you have ensured a better understanding of the disease and provided hope for those who must deal with it every day"
- Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister (1997)
1979
First AIDS case in Canada, diagnosed (retrospectively) in Montreal.
1983
Canada's National Task Force on AIDS formed.
1984
Initial discussions regarding the formation of a national AIDS organization occur
First adult case of transfusion-related AIDS is reported
1985
648 cumulative cases of AIDS diagnosed in Canada since 1979 (all statistics: Health Canada HIV/AIDS Surveillance Reports).
1st Canadian Conference on AIDS in Montreal which led to the formation of a steering group to create a national AIDS umbrella organization.
1986
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during this year: 663
2nd Canadian Conference on AIDS in Toronto. Official founding of the Canadian AIDS Society/Société canadienne du sida (CAS) with 16 members:
AIDS Calgary Awareness Association,
AIDS Committee of London,
AIDS Committee of Ottawa,
AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay,
AIDS Committee of Toronto,
AIDS Committee of Windsor,
AIDS Network of Edmonton,
AIDS Regina,
AIDS Saskatoon,
AIDS Vancouver,
AIDS Vancouver Island,
Comité sida aide Montréal (C-SAM),
Metro Area Committee on AIDS (Halifax),
Newfoundland and Labrador AIDS Association,
Winnepeg Gay Community Health Centre.
The Conference included the first formal General Meeting of CAS and the election of its first Board of Directors.
1986-1987
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during 1987: 1011
WHO launches global AIDS strategy.
1st Canadian AIDS Walk organised in Vancouver by BCPWA.
AZT approved in Canada
CAS operates out of the AIDS Network of Edmonton Society with a volunteer secretariat.
1988
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during this year: 1,204
CAS becomes a federally-registered charity and moves to Ottawa, operating with three employees
3rd Canadian Conference on AIDS in Toronto organised by CAS, Canadian Public Health Association and Health and Welfare Canada/Federal Centre for AIDS.
Key Publication: "Safer Sex Guidelines: A Resource Document for Educators and Counsellors" published by CAS. These were the first safe sex guidelines for Canada.
Project: "Study on Parallel Services".
1989
CAS defines its mission, goals and objectives through consultation with its 39 member organizations
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during this year: 1,443
Project: "AIDS in the Workplace"
Key Publication: "Working Together: Towards a National AIDS Strategy in Canada" published.
Project: "AIDS and the Canadian Business Community"
First national forum for people with HIV to meet and network is organised by CAS
Project: "Homophobia, Heterosexism and AIDS"
1990
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 1,514
Release of the Federal Government's National AIDS Strategy.
CAS presents on the process for a National AIDS Strategy to the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee on AIDS
Board grows from nine members-at-large to five regional members, five regional PLWHIV/AIDS members and two members-at-large
1991
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 1,605
Red Ribbon adopted as the international symbol of AIDS awareness.
AIDS Awareness Week Campaign was founded and run by CAS for ten years with AIDS: Our Challenge for Life as its first theme (1991-2001).
Launched ACT NOW: Managing HIV and AIDS in the Workplace
1992
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 1,854
First combination therapy approved by FDA.
Project: "Income Security for people living with HIV/AIDS" (1992-1995)
CAS and its partners launch AIDS Treatment Information System (1992-1993).
1993
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 1,953
Workshops: "AIDS and Disabilities". Joint national workshop held by CAS and the BC Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (1993-1994)
CAS assisted with the production of national HIV/AIDS guidelines for emergency responders (1995-1996)
CAS participated in a national conference on AIDS in prisons (1995-1996)
CAS works with the Federal Government to renew its commitment to funding beyond the end of the National AIDS Strategy Phase II (1995-1997)
National Campaign: Launch of Canada has AIDS marketing campaign (1995-1996)
National Campaign: At the urging of its membership, CAS agrees to take on the national coordination of AIDS Walk Canada (1995-present)
1996
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,791
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 1,314
Triple combination therapy introduced.
Key Publication: "Make Noise! Resource on Youth and HIV/AIDS"
Publication of "Paradigms Lost: Examining the impact of a shift from health promotion to population health on HIV/AIDS policy and programs in Canada" (1996-1997)
Project: "Aboriginal Communities and AIDS". A joint project with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (1996-1997)
CAS launches its website
1997
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,515
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 832
Federal Government announces that annual funding for HIV/AIDS programs will continue under the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS.
Project: "Management Information Systems: a project to assist community AIDS organisations with the collection, analysis and sharing of data on HIV/AIDS" (1997-1998)
CAS participates in the Blood Commission that led to the establishment of Canadian Blood Services (1997-1998)
1998
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,339
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 743
Key Publication: "Bright Red Hair and Sliced Bread: Models of Youth and HIV/AIDS Programs in Canada"
1st Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium held to share best practices, capacity building and networking for those working in the field of HIV/AIDS.
Project: "Risk Reduction". 3rd revision and expansion of the "Safer Sex Guidelines" (1998-1999)
Project: "Computers for Members of CAS" (1998-1999)
Key Publication: "HIV/AIDS, A Guide to Insurance Benefits" (1998-1999)
Project: "Consultation on community needs on epidemiology and surveillance information" (1998-1999)
Project: "Labour Force Participation" (1998-1999)
1999
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,244
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 627
2nd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium
Project: "Men having Sex with Men". Brought together MSM educators and HIV researchers (1999-2000)
Project: "Community Care AIDS Research" (1999-2001)
Project: "Benefits Counselling" workshops offered across Canada (1999-2001)
Project: "AIDS in the Workplace" update of resources (1999-2002)
2000
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,127
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 580
CAS and four national partners organize 1st National Conference on Women and HIV/AIDS: the first conference in Canada held on this subject.
Names Quilt displayed in its entirety for first time in 4 years (July 2000)
International Project: "AIDS Network in Belarus". CAS supports creation of Belarus AIDS Network (2000-present)
Project: "Canadian Health Network" (2000-2002)
Project: "Prevention Satellite" (2000-2001)
2001
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,187
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 501
CAS founds with member organizations, the Canadian Coalition of Organizations Responding to AIDS (CCORA)
3rd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium - held in Montreal.
1st Youth Institute held to highlight the special needs of HIV positive youth
1st National Conference on Complementary Therapies and HIV/AIDS
2002
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with HIV: 2,504
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 528
Publication of: Youth Tools: a resource to assist AIDS service organizations with running youth-oriented projects.
First Canadian Harm Reduction Conference is held
2003
Number of additional Canadians living with HIV: 2,482
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 469
4th Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium - held for the first time in Alberta.
Release of guide on how to create a HIV-friendly workplace.
2004
Cumulative total of Canadians who contracted HIV since 1979: 55,180
Cumulative total of Canadians diagnosed with AIDS since 1979: 21,226
Federal Government agrees to double funding for the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS over the next 5 years from $42 million to $84 million.
Publication: New edition of "HIV and HCV Transmission: Guidelines For Assessing Risk"
Publication: "Disclosure of HIV status after Cuerrier: Resources for community-based resource organizations"
2005
Number of cases of HIV reported during 2004: 2,529
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year: 237
5th Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium to be held in Montreal October 27-30
CAS launches travelling exhibit: Giving Women Power over AIDS
Publication: "Connecting Youth with Youth: a Guide to Youth and HIV/AIDS-related Programs and Projects across Canada"
2006
Number of cases of HIV reported during 2005: 2,483
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year 2005: 279
CAS is co-host of the International AIDS Conference held in Toronto
CAS adopts new logo
2007
Number of cases of HIV reported at the end of 2006: 2,558
Number of additional Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year 2006: 255
Partnership established between CAS and Corby Distilleries
CAS partners with the Canadian Harm Reduction Network to publish "Learning From Each Other: Enhancing Community-based Harm Reduction Programs and Practices in Canada"
2008
Number of cases of HIV reported during 2007: 2,432
Number of Canadians diagnosed with AIDS during the year 2007: 238
Scotiabank signs on as Title Sponsor of the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
CAS hosts the Canadian booth at AIDS 2008 in Mexico City
