The oldest HIV service agency in Canada, known as the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), has announced its closure next year due to a combination of factors. Over its 42-year history, ACT has faced a decrease in demand for its services alongside financial struggles and shifts in the healthcare landscape.
Established in 1983 during a time when AIDS was heavily stigmatized and often seen as a terminal illness, ACT provided vital support to individuals affected by HIV. However, with significant advancements in medical treatments and prevention methods, the need for ACT’s services has decreased. Today, thanks to these breakthroughs, individuals living with HIV are able to lead longer and healthier lives, with a growing number now being over the age of 55.
Ryan Lisk, the executive director of ACT, acknowledges the changing landscape of HIV care and emphasizes the importance of transitioning resources to organizations that are better equipped to address current needs. Key priorities for those living with HIV now include access to affordable medications and ongoing support for managing the condition as a chronic illness.
Despite the critical role that ACT has played over the years, Lisk highlights the stagnant levels of government funding for HIV organizations and a decline in donations, making it increasingly challenging for ACT to sustain its operations.