British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

09/05/2025

BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner sat down with The Tyee earlier this summer to discuss the US cuts to foreign aid programs and their impact on the global HIV response.

In a comprehensive piece published yesterday, Dr. Montaner called on Canada to step up its commitment to funding HIV prevention and treatment both in Canada and globally.

He also outlined how we can strengthen our HIV response nationally by following BC’s Treatment as Prevention strategy across five areas:
• Make medication for prevention and treatment free for anyone nationwide.
• Enhance genetic monitoring of HIV/AIDS to better respond to clusters of case and tailor treatment.
• Implement a national policy for harm reduction including access to sterile equipment for drug use.
• Enhance social and medical support for marginalized populations including the unhoused.
• Decriminalize HIV.

Visit the The Tyee's website and search for "As the US Quits the Global HIV Fight, Canada Can Step Up" to read the full story.

09/05/2025

BC-CfE Executive Director & Phsyician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner sat down with The Tyee earlier this summer to discuss the US cuts to foreign aid programs and their impact on the global HIV response.

In a comprehensive piece published yesterday, Dr. Montaner called on Canada to step up its commitment to funding HIV prevention and treatment both in Canada and globally.

He also outlined how we can strengthen our HIV response nationally by following BC’s Treatment as Prevention strategy across five areas:
• Make medication for prevention and treatment free for anyone nationwide.
• Enhance genetic monitoring of HIV/AIDS to better respond to clusters of case and tailor treatment.
• Implement a national policy for harm reduction including access to sterile equipment for drug use.
• Enhance social and medical support for marginalized populations including the unhoused.
• Decriminalize HIV.

Visit the https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/09/03/US-Quits-HIV-Fight-Canada-Step-Up/ to read the full story.

And BC’s approach is the model to save lives, says a groundbreaking local researcher.

08/31/2025

Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to grieve those who have lost their lives to overdose, support the loved ones left behind, and renew our commitment to preventing the impacts of the toxic drug crisis.

Nine years ago, the BC Government declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency, and while we still grapple with the devastating consequences of a toxic drug supply, the BC-CfE remains committed to supporting those who use these substances, to reduce their overdose risk and ensure they receive the healthcare services they need.

The decline in overdose deaths over the last year has been encouraging, but we recognize that these gains are against the backdrop of far too many lives still needlessly lost to fatal overdoses. These preventable deaths often occur in isolation due to stigma, discrimination & socio-economic inequities, and highlight the vital importance of harm reduction services including supervised consumption sites.

Each year, we increase our resolve in the hopes that our collective efforts will turn the tide on this crisis, and this International Overdose Awareness Day, the BC-CfE reaffirms its commitment to the services we provide at Hope to Health.

08/22/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Zabrina Brumme on her appointment as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) this week! Recognized among CAHS’ 47 new Fellows, this prestigious honour is a testament to the extensive contributions Dr. Brumme has made to HIV research as Laboratory Director here at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and a Professor with SFU Faculty of Health Sciences.

https://bccfe.ca/dr-zabrina-brumme-elected-to-canadian-academy-of-health-sciences/

“Dr. Brumme has a brilliant analytical mind and a determination to tackle some of the deeper mysteries of HIV evolution, broadening our collective knowledge of the virus in the hopes of one day achieving a cure for HIV,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief. “Her appointment to the CAHS shines a well-deserved spotlight on the hard work and innovation that defines Dr. Brumme’s leadership here at the BC-CfE, and we are excited to see the continued evolution of this work.”

Considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community, election to the CAHS reflects an outstanding dedication and excellence in one’s field, with a commitment to further enriching the broader health sciences.

Visithttps://cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CAHS-2025-New-Fellows-News-Release-EN-1.pdf to see all 47 new Fellows!

08/12/2025

Registrations are now open for the BC-CfE Fall 2025 Update.

Join us Friday October 10th, for the latest research findings and best clinical practice on HIV/AIDS.

We’ve adjusted our program to run from 10am to 4pm, just in time to kick off your Thanksgiving long weekend! Whether you’re joining us in-person at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel across from St. Paul’s Hospital or connecting virtually, there will be something for everyone.

Visit https://bccfe.ca/events/bc-cfe-update-fall-2025/ for more details and to register.

07/29/2025

Today is World Hepatitis Day and our teams were out in the community spreading awareness and engaging folks in the neighbourhood around Hope to Health. With food, drinks and even ice cream (generously provided by Rain or Shine Ice Cream), we asked folks to share with us what they knew about Hepatitis C or play a trivia game to learn more.

Great responses and high levels of knowledge among those who dropped by to chat, with many who knew that HCV:

o Is a virus that is acquired blood to blood.
o Can go unnoticed, leaving someone symptom-free & unaware they have it.
o Can be cured in as little as 8 weeks with little-to-no side effects in 95% of cases.
o Can be re-acquired even after clearing the virus.

Thank you to the amazing team at H2H who help put this event together and always do such a great job engaging those in our community and spreading awareness in the Downtown Eastside.

07/16/2025

Yesterday, Dr. Julio Montaner joined Stephen Quinn on CBC's Early Edition to discuss the impact of US funding cuts that UNAIDS estimates will result in 6 million new cases of HIV globally, and what Canada should do to step up & bridge the financing gap.

While we can't share the clip on Facebook, we encourage folks to visit the Early Edition's On Demand section and search the July 15th segment "Doctors worry about rise in HIV across Canada amid Trump’s funding cuts" to listen to Dr. Montaner's interview.

07/16/2025

This morning, Dr. Julio Montaner joined Stephen Quinn on CBC Early Edition to discuss the impact of US funding cuts that UNAIDS estimates will result in 6 million new cases of HIV globally.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-91-the-early-edition/clip/16157968-doctors-worry-rise-hiv-across-canada-amid-trumps

Dr. Montaner sets out what actions he’d like to see from Canada to step up and bridge the financing gap, avoiding new infections & additional deaths.

07/11/2025

"I demand that my country actually raises the flag and demonstrates that we can do it in Canada, and support the world. Because...if we don't cover for the absence, the world is going to be much, much worse than it is today."

Alongside UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Winnie Byanyima and Dr. Eric Arts, BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner spoke with CBC Radio's As It Happens about the devastating impact of cuts to foreign aid on the global HIV response and why (and how) Canada should step up.

Until recently, the UN was on track to meet its target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. But with the U.S. rapidly scaling back foreign aid contributions, the UN has released a new report warning of millions more HIV infections and deaths within the next four years. Experts say the i...

07/10/2025

"I demand that my country actually raises the flag and demonstrates that we can do it in Canada, and support the world. Because...if we don't cover for the absence, the world is going to be much, much worse than it is today."

Alongside UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Winnie Byanyima and Dr. Eric Arts, BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner spoke with CBC Radio's As It Happens about the devastating impact of cuts to foreign aid on the global HIV response, discussing how & why Canada must step up.

Until recently, the UN was on track to meet its target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. But with the U.S. rapidly scaling back foreign aid contributions, the UN has released a new report warning of millions more HIV infections and deaths within the next four years. Experts say the i...

07/09/2025

People are at the core of any successful organization, and here at the BC-CfE, our Human Resources team is dedicated to supporting the amazing folks who work here, while seeking out great candidates to join our teams.

Managing more than 200 people across a diverse hiring portfolio including clinical, research and operational teams (among others), our HR department is looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead the strategic planning and development of initiatives that align with the BC-CfE’s overall organizational strategy.

Apply today at https://bccfe.ca/careers/manager-human-resources/ or share with anyone interested in bringing their talents to this role.

05/28/2025

In 1997, when one person a day was dying of AIDS in BC, St. Paul’s Hospital opened ward 10C, as an AIDS ward to care for those living out their final days during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A ward with such an inconspicuous name, due to the intense stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS, was quietly the epicentre of Canada’s AIDS epidemic, as researchers worked around the clock to pioneer the strategies that turned the tide against the disease.

Eleven years ago today, Dr. Julio Montaner joined by the Premier & Minister of Health of BC, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and local artist & patient Tiko Kerr, announced the closure and repurposing of ward 10C, in a symbolic mark of the great strides made in HIV treatment and care since that time. The BC-CfE’s pioneering Treatment as Prevention strategy has resulted in dramatic and significant declines in cases of HIV and AIDS, emptying the beds in 10C and allowing for a refocusing of resources to treat the syndemic conditions facing many of those living with HIV.

Marking the occasion back in 2014, artist Tiko Kerr presented a new painting “New World (After AIDS)”, reflecting his struggle, survival and success after HIV diagnosis, and how HIV is no longer a death sentence. This piece showing a bright hospital room at St. Paul’s Hospital (one he was very familiar with) contrasted with the dark and bleak depiction he had painted just eight years prior when struggling to get access to life-saving experimental medications; a fight he and Dr. Montaner took all the way to Health Canada. These two pieces hang proudly here at the BC-CfE, reminding us not only of Tiko’s journey, but of how far we have come in the fight to end the HIV epidemic, and the work we still have to go.

You can learn more about Tiko’s story at https://bccfe.ca/news-releases/at-the-repurposing-of-aids-ward-event-vancouver-artist-living-with-hiv-presents-painting-on-his-struggle-survival-and-success/ and the closure of 10C on May 27, 2014 at https://bccfe.ca/news-releases/leading-the-way-in-the-fight-against-aids/.