The Federal Government's Role

AHC calls on to the Government of Canada to:

1. Release a federal STBBI Implementation Plan oriented toward the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. ​
2. Adequately support community-based organizations to implement elimination strategies.​

Federal STBBI Implementation Plan

• While most people living with viral hepatitis receive health coverage through their province or territory, 3 priority populations receive their health coverage from the federal government: Indigenous people, those in federal prisons, and some newcomers.
• The federal government committed to releasing a federal STBBI Implementation Plan shortly after the release of the pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action (released in July 2018).  A federal STBBI Action Plan was launched in July 2019, but includes no targets, no concrete actions, and no timelines. It is not an implementation plan. 
• This federal STBBI Implementation Plan, oriented toward the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, is a way for the federal government to take leadership on this important issue. 

Adequate support for community-based organizations

• Much of the work of carrying out an Implementation Plan will fall to community-based organizations.
• ​The current funding through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF), administered by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), will not go far enough. ​
• Community-based organizations require adequate, stable funding in order to help the government meet our 2030 targets. This is a way for the federal government to ensure Implementation Plans are successful.

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