Commissioner's update for offenders and their families:
December 4, 2023

December 1 marked World AIDS Day. The goal of the first AIDS Day in 1988 was to bring awareness to a deadly disease. Thirty-five years later, HIV is no longer considered fatal. Antiviral therapy can suppress the virus so that it can hardly be detected by a medical monitoring treatment. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable. This makes it a manageable, chronic illness.

The therapy leads to a longer and heathier life and means that it cannot be transmitted to partners. CSC plays an important role in helping you learn the facts, reduce your risk, get tested, and reduce HIV-related stigma.

December 5 is International Volunteer Day. Volunteers, advisory members, and community supports can play an important role in building your networks and helping you in your reintegration journey. Many of them enjoy working in areas, such as skill building, supporting substance use recovery, chaplaincy, and other faith-based activities. Our volunteers have proven to change the lives of many over the years. It may be worth trying to see if you enjoy the additional connection with someone from the community. If you are interested in learning more about working with volunteers, I encourage you to speak with your case management team to connect with these resources.

On December 6, we observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This day marks the tragic mass shooting that killed 14 women at École Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989. Let us take the time to honour and remember the victims of this massacre.

December 10 is Human Rights Day — a day that commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This year, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of this declaration.

It is our duty to respect your rights, as well as the rights of our employees, partners, and visitors.