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North Bay could be the first to adopt policies for people living with HIV

 North Bay seemed like a good place for this, especially after its support with the Pride parade last year, and we see the engagement between them and the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area

North Bay City Council will be asked at this weeks Tuesday night meeting, to adopt the Ontario Accord, called GIPA/MIPA, as part of its policies. 

GIPA, MIPA, are acronyms for Greater Involvement of People Living With or Affected by HIV/AIDS, and Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS. 

Jason MacLennan, an advocate for the Canadian Positive People Network, will be making a public presentation to council.

"Basically what we're asking the city to do is ensure that people living with HIV are included in any conversation affecting them, whether they're deciding policy or if they're talking about any programs. It could be something like a housing initiative, that you want to include in the conversation, those directly impacted," said MacLennan.

He believes it is also important to include service providers like the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area, in these conversations.

"This will be the first city in Canada to take such a bold step if they agree to do it. North Bay seemed like a good place for this, especially after its support with the Pride parade last year, and we see the engagement between them and the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area. So we thought this would actually be an ideal place to have this conversation and get them to adopt it first."  

MacLennan goes on to explain that the agreement can be far-reaching.

"It can expand into other areas like making sure the LGBT community is involved in the conversation, Indigenous people, the Transgender community, so eventually it becomes open to anybody," said MacLennan.

The Ontario Accord explains that GIPA/MIPA 'is about human struggles and aspirations, ethics, empowerment and accountability.'

'It's an across Canada initiative that will take time to get organized, but the Canadian Positive People Network is getting the door open to engage in conversations for those living with HIV. People with HIV face a lot of stigma. People are still losing their jobs today because of their status," said MacLennan.

He anticipates a good turnout in support of the initiative at Tuesday night's council meeting starting at 6:30.

"I think anybody that understands that inclusion is a big part of any community, needs to be there to support it. I think that says a lot. Most of the members of the North Bay Pride Committee are going to try to be there because they believe in this as much as I do."