Canada to distribute 80,000 HIV self-test kits and hire peer support workers with $5 million funding The federal government will ship 80,000 HIV self‑test kits across the country and use $2 million for the tests and $3 million to employ peer‑based support staff to improve testing, diagnosis and linkage to care in high‑burden communities. The federal government announced on Monday that it will ship 80,000 HIV self‑test kits across Canada to improve access to prevention and early diagnosis, and will allocate $5 million to hire peer‑based support workers for communities with the highest HIV burdens. Of the total, $2 million will purchase the kits and $3 million will fund new peer‑support networks. The funds are designed to help people know their status, connect to care and reduce stigma. Doctor Joss Reimer, Canada's chief public health officer, said the priority would be underserved communities, including Indigenous peoples, men who have sex with men, Black communities and other racialised groups, and people who inject drugs.The government noted that 2,300 new HIV diagnoses were reported in 2024 and that an estimated 7,000 people in Canada remain unaware of their status. The move comes after Manitoba declared a public‑health emergency over HIV rates three times higher than the national average, with a 2024 rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 people compared to about a quarter of that nationally.Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the announcement was a "big step" and pledged further investment to meet the province's needs. Advocates say self‑tests can address barriers such as racism and geography that keep people from seeking help, but they also emphasize the need for follow‑up care. The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network's executive director, Shohan Illsley, noted that dignified care is essential alongside testing.CATIE, an advocacy group focused on HIV and hepatitis C, welcomed the funding, saying it helps move Canada toward its 2030 goal of eliminating HIV as a public health concern. Jody Jollimore, CATIE's executive director, highlighted a 23 per cent increase in estimated HIV infections and called for strengthened community‑based work. The rollout of the kits is still being finalized; a detailed distribution plan will be released in the coming weeks.Canada's commitment to expanding testing is also part of a broader effort to reduce the burden of HIV, with the United Nations and other international partners underscoring the importance of testing, treatment and community engagement. Overall, the $5 million package aims to make HIV testing more accessible, support newly diagnosed individuals and prevent the spread of HIV in communities most at risk.