Telling people
You might want to start getting used to the idea of being positive before you decide to tell people. Some people may never want to disclose their status, but the more people you tell, the easier it gets. When you are ready, tell people who you feel should know, people who accept you and don’t judge you, people who love you and value you, people who are respectful of you and your privacy and most of all, people who will help support you emotionally.
Remember, you do not have to tell your employers, landlords, family or friends if you don’t want to – that’s your business. Telling your healthcare provider is a good idea because your information is confidential and your healthcare provider can help you.
Your legal responsibilities
Sex
Everyone has a responsibility to practise safe sex. Use latex barriers, such as condoms, dental dams or gloves, correctly and consistently for all or any vaginal, anal and/or oral sex with any or all of your partners. If you need more information on legal matters concerning HIV/AIDS, visit www.aidslaw.ca.
Insurance
Depending on the type of insurance you are applying for, you may be asked to take an HIV test. Remember that any inaccurate health information you give may result in your policy being invalid.
Travel
Some countries do not allow entry to people with HIV. Before going anywhere, make sure you find out the rules at www.hivtravel.org. You can also contact the country’s consulate, but do so anonymously. DO NOT give your name, block your phone number or call from a pay phone.
For more information:
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network:
For more information or legal advice:
Federal government agencies
Canadian Human Rights Commission:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Ontario
HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario), known as HALCO:
416-340-7790 or 1-888-705-8889TTY 416-922-2352 or 1-866-513-9883
Lawyer Referral Service, Law Society of Upper Canada:
www.lsuc.on.ca/public/a/faqs---lawyer-referral-service/
1-800-268-8326 or 416-947-3330Legal Aid Ontario:
416-979-1446 or 1-800-668-8258Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario:
416-326-1312 or 1-866-598-0322TTY 416-326-2027 or 1-866-607-1240
Human Rights Legal Support Centre:
416-314-6266 or 1-866-625-5179TTY 416-314-6651 or 1-866 612-8627
Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner/Ontario:
Quebec
VIH info droits (COCQ-SIDA):
514-844-2477 ext 34 or 1-866-535-0481Quebec Legal Aid:
Lawyer Referral Service, Quebec Bar:
Elsewhere in Quebec 514-954-3528 or 1-866-954-3528Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse:
514-873-5146 or 1-800-361-6477TTY 514-873-2648
Commission d’accès à l’information du Quebec:
Alberta
Legal Aid Alberta:
Lawyer Referral Service, Law Society of Alberta:
Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission:
Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Alberta:
British Columbia
Legal Services Society of British Columbia “Legal Aid”:
Outside the Lower Mainland 1-866-577-2525Lawyer Referral Service:
604-687-3221 or 1-800-663-1919British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal:
604-775-2000 or 1-888-440-8844TTY 604-775-2021
Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia:
Toll-free, call Enquiry BC (in Vancouver 604-660-2421; elsewhere in BC 1-800-663-7867) and request a transfer to 250-387-5629
Manitoba
Legal Aid Manitoba:
1-800-261-2960Law Phone-In & Lawyer Referral Service:
204-943-2382 or 1-800-262-8800Manitoba Human Rights Commission:
Winnipeg 204-945-3007 or 1-888-884-8681TTY 204-945-3442
Brandon 204-726-6261 or 1-800-201-2551
TTY 204-726-6152
The Pas 204-627-8270 or 1-800-676-7084
TTY 204-623-7892
Ombudsman Manitoba, Access and Privacy Division:
204-982-9130 or 1-800-665-0531
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission:
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission:
Saskatoon 306-933-5952 or 1-800-667-9249TTY 306-373-2119
Regina 306-787-2530 or 1-800-667-8577
TTY 306-787-8550
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan:
306-787-8350 or 1-877-748-2298
New Brunswick
Criminal Legal Aid:
No lawyer referral service
New Brunswick Human Rights Commission:
Office of the Ombudsman (Protection of Personal Information):
506-453-2789 or 1-888-465-1100
Newfoundland & Labrador
Legal Aid Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Lawyer Referral Service:
709-722-2643 or 1-888-660-7788Newfoundland Human Rights Commission:
709-729-2709 or 1-800-563-5808Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland & Labrador:
709-729-6309 or 1-877-729-6309
Yukon
Yukon Legal Services Society “Legal Aid”:
Lawyer Referral Service, Law Society of Yukon:
Yukon Human Rights Commission:
867-667-6226 or 1-800-661-0535Information & Privacy Commissioner:
867-667-8468 or 1-800-661-0408 ext 8468
Northwest Territories
Legal Aid Northwest Territories:
www.justice.gov.nt.ca/legalaid
Lawyer Referral Service:
867-873-3828Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission:
867-669-5575 (Yellowknife) or 1-888-669-5575Information & Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories:
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission:
Lawyer Referral Service:
902-455-3135 or 1-800-665-9779Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission:
902-424-4111 or 1-877-269-7699TTY 902-424-3139 or 1-866-811-3732
Nova Scotia Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Review Office:
902-424-4684 or 1-866-243-1564
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Legal Aid:
Lawyer Referral Service, Community Legal Information Association of PEI:
902-892-0853 or 1-800-240-9798PEI Human Rights Commission:
902-368-4180 or 1-800-237-5031Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner:
902-368-4099
Nunavut
Nunavut Legal Services Board “Legal Aid”:
867-979-2330No lawyer referral service
Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal:
1-866-413-6478Information & Privacy Commissioner:
867-669-0976 or 1-888-521-7088
