All posts tagged with: BC

Photo credit: Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press

HIV is a very serious topic, and not one to take lightly. It’s a sensitive topic for many, especially those in the gay community. Over the past decade British Columbia has adopted a treatment-as-prevention strategy. The results are in, and the charts are looking good.

According to Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, since 2005, the number of HIV deaths in British Columbia have seen a steady decline to just 55 in 2010.

More importantly, in 1996, there were over 700 new cases of HIV detected in British Columbia, and over 400 cases per year were recorded throughout the early 2000’s. With the new treatment-as-prevention strategy in place, there were just 301 new HIV detected cases in 2010 – an all time low since 1996!

Although the number of people receiving HIV antiretroviral treatment is on the rise, treatment does reduce the amount of virus in bodily fluids of someone with an HIV infection.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported in August 2010 that of 1,763 couples which had one partner with HIV infection, that antiretroviral treatment reduced the risk of heterosexual transmission by 96 per cent!

Just a few provinces over, in Saskatchewan, in 2009 they reported 200 cases, but in 2010 they saw a drop to 172. However, there are new efforts in place in that province to go out and find new cases, so the numbers for 2011 are expected to rise.

In Saskatchewan, 70 per center of new HIV cases are drug injected related and more so from the first nations population.

Back in British Columbia, medical officials are lobbying governments to find ways to make antiretroviral treatment for those just diagnosed with HIV to receive treatment for free – without co-payments or deductibles. Cost of treatment is a barrier for many and it keeps patients on the less effective pill treatment.

Additionally, the BC medical community notes that if private drug plans are charged, the billing information could potentially get back to employers, which would discouraged individuals from getting tested and treated.

Since British Columbia has implemented access to treatment, they have seen a decrease in new diagnoses of HIV close to 50 per cent, which equals dramatic savings considering one infection costs between $250,000 – $500,000 over a lifetime.

Youthink, a Vancouver based youth news publication, is asking for the publics help to find out who you think is BC’s best teen band. From now until February 20, the public is encouraged to go online and cast their vote for one of ten pre-selected BC-based teen bands. The top three finalists will go on to compete in April for the title.

On of the lucky contestants is Canadian singer and songwriter, Hailey Morgan.

“I’ve made it into the BC’s Best Teen Band Contest for the second year running and it feels absolutely awesome to be back in the Top 10!” Hailey explained. “It’s always great to be recognized as an accomplished artist, especially in such a talented music scene as the one we have here in BC.”

Hailey, who is now 17 years old, started her singing career in her early teens. She quickly discovered her unique music style and vocal abilities. The songs Hailey has written and had produced have themes ranging from self-discovery right through true-love and romance.

Hailey has two songs that have been professionally recorded and received significant air-time, You & Me, and Let Go.

“Winning the contest would be fantastic and holding the title of “BC’s Best Teen ‘Artist’ 2012″ would be pretty amazing as well!” Hailey said. “It’s also my last ”teen” year to enter so I’m definitely aiming for Top 3 this time around.”

You can vote for Hailey each day on the YouThink website at http://bandcontest.youthink.ca. Votes goes until February 20, 2012.

With just 100 days left until the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames, the organizing committee says they are ready to go. The venues are secure, they are working with local and Provincial sport organizations and they have funding streams in place. It would appear as if every opportunity has been maximized in the lead up to the biggest multi-sport event being held in metro Vancouver this year.

In February 2011, the Vancouver Parks Board announced a $100,000 grant for the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames. The funding came from the BC Sport Hosting grant.

With just over three months to go, the Province of British Columbia still has not committed any resources or funds to the Outgames, according to Outgames president, John Boychuk.

“There will be some form for support,” commented Boychuk who has made many presentations to various Provincial government Ministries over the past few years.

Boychuk says BC’s Premier, Christy Clarke is aware of the requests for funding and resources but has not yet responded to their proposals.

The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, Health Ministry, and Ministry of Education have all been asked to get involved with the 2011 North America Outgames, however there still has been no commitment.

Federally, the funding hasn’t appeared either. The Outgames has received a grant for summer students to help with the organizing and preparations for the events.

Clearly the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and Tourism British Columbia (TBC) did not embrace the value of the Outgames and the tourism dollars associated with the Outgames because they did not provide any funds to promote the destination athletic event, nor did they promote the event through their existing campaigns.

Boychuk cites funding cuts at Tourism British Columbia for their inability to promote the games.

As for the CTC not being involved, “Non-competitive sport doesn’t quality for funding” explained Boychuk. “The Outgames are friendly sport. There’s no funding available.”

Tourism Vancouver has been a long-time supporter of LGBT tourism.

“They have been a partner now for three years,” said Boychuk. “They helped produce the big to secure the event.”

Using their existing resources, Tourism Vancouver has been a valuable partner to the Vancouver 2011 Outgames by including detailed event on their website and promoting the Outgames and relevant conferences and trade shows.

The legacies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games live on. Some legacies clearly stronger than other.

The Vancouver Outgames organizing committee had hoped to receive funding from 2010 Legacies Now, but to date has only received support through access to volunteers through Volunteer Vancouver. Boychuk says 800-1,000 volunteers ranging from security and drivers to sport and conference organizers are needed to host the event.

“We are much smaller event compared to the Olympics,” stated Boychuk. “We are athlete focused, not coporate driven.”

Boychuk and members of the Outgames organizing committee have worked closely with local clubs and a select few Provincial Sport Organizations including Badminton BC and Soccer BC, to sanction the sport events. Sport BC was also limited in their ability to help support the Vancouver Outgames.

During the next 100 days, the organizing committee will be focused on working with the volunteers and sport groups to ensure the venues and events are ready. The committee’s goal are to operate with a balanced budget, ensuring the community is supported, and the games leave a positive impact.

Boychuk is confident the event will be a success, and the support from the LGBT community has been incredible. Every Wednesday in the lead up to the events, there will be events hosted promoting the games.

The North American Outgames will be hosted in Vancouver July 25 – 31, 2011.