94.9 Testing Immigrants for AIDS and HIV
Whereas, AIDS is a transmissible, still incurable infectious disease; and,
Whereas, It is estimated that 12 million people world-wide have AIDS and that a new person is [is] infected every 12 to 15 seconds; and,
Whereas, Heterosexual transmission is becoming more common; at several U.S. clinics women comprise 30% to 50% of new cases, and,
Whereas, Full-blown AIDS may take at least 8 to 10 years to develop after exposure; and,
Whereas, The cost of caring for an individual from diagnosis until death may be at least $100,000; and,
Whereas, People wishing to immigrate have for years been required to be tested for tuberculosis and leprosy and to have certain vaccinations, it is not a new concept to require testing for HIV (Australia and USA already require testing and exclude those testing positive), and,
Whereas, There exists a sensitive, reliable and relatively inexpensive screening test for the presence of HIV; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to pass legislation requiring that:
- Prospective immigrants be tested for HIV; and,
- Those that test positive not be granted permanent residence in Canada.