Canada’s Oldest HIV Service Agency, AIDS Committee of Toronto, to Close Due to Decreased Demand and Financial Challenges
The AIDS Committee of Toronto, known as Canada’s oldest HIV service agency, has announced its decision to shut down next year. The decline in demand for its services, coupled with financial struggles and changing healthcare dynamics, has led to this outcome after 42 years of operation.
Established in 1983 during a time when HIV/AIDS was stigmatized and associated with long-term illness and high mortality rates, ACT has witnessed a significant shift in the landscape of HIV care. Advances in medical treatments and prevention strategies have transformed the condition into a manageable, chronic disease, allowing individuals with HIV to lead longer and healthier lives. Currently, a third of ACT’s clients are aged 55 and above, reflecting the aging demographic of those living with HIV.
Ryan Lisk, the executive director of ACT, emphasized the need to transition responsibilities to organizations better equipped to address the evolving needs of the HIV community. Key priorities include ensuring access to affordable medications and providing support for managing HIV as a chronic health condition.
Despite the essential role played by organizations like ACT, stable funding sources have not kept pace with the changing landscape of HIV care. Lisk highlighted that financial support from government entities at all levels has remained stagnant over the past forty years, while charitable contributions have dwindled.
As the curtain falls on the legacy of the AIDS Committee of Toronto, the focus shifts towards sustaining critical HIV services through collaborations with organizations that align with current needs and challenges.