Vancouver Island PWA Society

01/07/2026

There is a reported increase of Syphilis in the Victoria area and on Vancouver Island.

If you have syphilis, it’s common to not notice any symptoms. Syphilis is known as the great imitator since it appears to be like many other infections or conditions, and is difficult to diagnose. Syphilis is treated with prescription antibiotics, usually through injection by a health care provider. Testing is usually done with a blood sample or a swab.

Make s*xual health screening part of your healthcare routine.

www.smarts*xresource.com - Find your nearest clinic and information on safer s*x

www.getcheckedonline.com - Internet-based STI testing services

​GetCheckedOnline is a new and easy way to test for s*xually transmitted infections (STI) in British Columbia, Canada.

01/07/2026

Start 2026 with the most up-to-date information on the HIV response in Canada with our recent report - The State of HIV in Canada: Rights, Progress, and Unfinished Work:

https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/state-of-hiv-2025/?lang=en

Our report recommends — among many clear steps to be taken — that the Government of Canada immediately expand access to harm reduction services that reduce the transmission of HIV, such as needle and syringe distribution programs and supervised consumption services in prisons and wider communities.

Additionally, the federal government should be doing much more to ensure equitable access to PrEP across Canada, particularly in remote and rural areas. There is much work to be done to end HIV as a public health threat in Canada, and this new report provides a blueprint.

Beyond the need to scale up these services, we are again calling on the Government of Canada to initiate a range of Criminal Code reforms to decriminalize people living with HIV, s*x workers, and people who use drugs. These must be made in line with scientific evidence and human rights standards. And until we see real changes, people will continue to be driven away from health and social service supports that they need to be well.

The State of HIV in Canada details Canada’s efforts to date in working towards the 95-95-95 targets, along with a “report card” outlining what’s happening (or not!) in every province and territory in Canada where data is available.

01/07/2026

Our 2025 Year in Review is now live.

📈 Rising prosecutions
⚖️ Courts, cases, and consequences
📉 Reform gaps despite clear HIV science
🌍 Global patterns you need to understand

Read the full analysis in our newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-7-january-2026) along with all the latest HIV justice news, cases and resources, or on the HIV Justice Network's website (hivjustice.net)

01/05/2026

Next in Zoom meeting is on Monday, January 12th at 7pm
Contact penny@vpwas.org for more information.

Join women from Victoria and across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Island for VPWAS Positive Women’s Wellness Group.

This peer facilitator led group is open to all women living with HIV and or HCV on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Meetings take place twice a month, once in person (during a weekday at VPWAS Drop-in in Victoria) and once via Zoom! (evenings)

Please contact Penny for dates and location, at penny@vpwas.org or call 250.382.7927 and join our supportive community of women learning together how to manage our health in an interactive and enjoyable way.

11/14/2025

Barriers removed for couples in B.C. receiving disability assistance

Starting Dec. 1, 2025, couples where both members receive disability assistance will receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people.

In addition, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, couples where one partner has the Persons with Disabilities designation will also benefit from an increased annual earnings exemptions, allowing them to keep more of the money they earn

Read more:

Starting Dec. 1, 2025, couples where both members receive disability assistance will receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people.

11/12/2025

from Ribbon Community

We are excited to announce that Ribbon Community and Vancouver Black Therapy and Advocacy Fund are collaborating to offer newcomer women living with HIV and their families throughout BC free counselling with licensed counsellors!
To access the program, women and family members and/or service providers/advocates can complete a short online form and a Ribbon team member will get back to you within 4 weeks (usually less!).

While we may not be able to provide this service to all applicants, we will respond to all inquiries and work with all applicants to find alternatives where possible.

Ribbon always uses the word women to include transgender and cisgender women. For questions or support about the program please reach out to Ribbon Case Manager, Tova: TovaK@RibbonCommunity.org or call/text: 236-688-3080.

Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Foundation
Ribbon Community

11/06/2025

Next in Zoom meeting is on Monday November 10 at 7pm
Contact penny@vpwas.org for more information.

Join women from Victoria and across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Island for VPWAS Positive Women’s Wellness Group.
This peer facilitator led group is open to all women living with HIV and or HCV on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Meetings take place twice a month, once in person (during a weekday at VPWAS Drop-in in Victoria) and once via Zoom! (evenings)

Please contact Penny for dates and location, at penny@vpwas.org or call 250.382.7927 and join our supportive community of women learning together how to manage our health in an interactive and enjoyable way.

11/06/2025

INVITATION World AIDS Day Dec 1, 2025
Recognition Walk our Journey
Host: Tsawout Survivors

Join us on December 1 to Honor the Survivors,
Commemorate those we have lost,
Walk our Journey to a Brighter Future.

Starts at 11am followed by Luncheon and Guest Speakers
All Welcome
Contact Karen 250 480 9351

10/11/2025

As researchers, educators, service providers, and advocates who work in q***r, trans, and Two-Spirit health promotion, our dedication to 2S/LGBTQIA+ people and communities is core to who we are. It’s what unites us and brings us together. We wouldn’t dedicate our careers, and our lives, to helpi...

10/07/2025

VPWAS UPDATE
As autumn settles in it’s time to update you on VPWAS.
After a summer of reorganization, VPWAS Peer Navigators have moved into our new space. We are now located within the offices of Island Sexual Health at 3960 Quadra Street.

Our phone number remains 250.382.7927 and general email is support@vpwas.org.

Our peer navigators can be reached through (Penny) penny@vpwas.org and (Numa) numa@vpwas.org

Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, please call to make an appointment.

We thank all the fine folks at Island Sexual Health, Ribbon Community and Island Health for their support during our transition period. We look forward to continuing to serve and support the HIV positive community in Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Stay tuned for information about our next AGM to come this fall.

ACTUALIZACIÓN DE VPWAS
Con la llegada del otoño, es hora de informarles sobre VPWAS.
Tras un verano de reorganización, los Asesores de VPWAS se han mudado a un nuevo lugar.

Ahora estamos ubicados en las oficinas de Island Sexual Health, en Quadra Street 3960.

Nuestro número de teléfono sigue siendo el 250.382.7927 y nuestro correo electrónico general es support@vpwas.org.

Puede contactar con nuestros asesores a través de:
(Penny) penny@vpwas.org y
(Numa) numa@vpwas.org.

El horario de atención es de lunes a viernes de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m.; por favor, llame previamente para programar una cita.

Agradecemos a todo el personal de Island Sexual Health, Ribbon Community e Island Health por su apoyo durante nuestro período de transición. Esperamos seguir sirviendo y apoyando a la comunidad VIH positivo en Victoria y la Isla de Vancouver.

Manténgase atentos para obtener información sobre nuestra próxima Asamblea General Anual que se realizará este otoño.

Send a message to learn more

10/02/2025

Did you know that CBRC was started by a small group of dedicated gay men in 1999 as a response to rising HIV rates in British Columbia? Two and a half decade...