We truly hope that this communication finds you all well, and we hope that your organizations are finding ways to deal with this new reality. We wanted to give you an update on some of our continuing activities and some general information that may be of help to your organization.
We have been following developments and we want to ensure that our sector stays strong so that no one is left behind. If ever there was a movement that knows of people being left behind, it is ours – let’s all ensure that we look at a future where the policies are centred around a human rights lens and that we move forward with respect and dignity for all.
Some other news:
CANNABIS RESEARCH
We are happy to announce that our research on medical cannabis was accepted for publication. We were accepted at the BMJ Open (British Medical Journal) for our manuscript entitled “Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Plant- Based Cannabis and Cannabinoid-Based Products in the Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain and Co-occurring Conditions: Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review”. We would like to thank the team that has been working on this initiative for some time. We will be publishing the guidelines in the near future.
ADVOCACY
Like many other sectors, the non-profit sector is facing significant obstacles. We wrote a letter to the Finance Minister to underscore our concerns about the economic support for the non-profit sector during these trying times, see letter here. To follow the developing relief measures from Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, see your financial advisors (there were concrete measures announced on March 30th). To see the measures, click here.
Our annual Red Ribbon event at Parliament that was to be held last week has been postponed.
TESTING WEEK
Together with the steering committee, we have decided to postpone national HIV Testing Week until September, or further if necessary. Please stay tuned for developments.
Please look out for our final report from the 2019 national HIV Testing Day, coming out shortly.
Be well and safe.