The People Let Advocate Network will be looking to City Council later this fall to consider adopting the Ontario Accord for the greater involvement and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Officials say they believe the city already acts within the accord, but it’s time to make it official.

Should Council adopt the Accord, spokesperson Jason Maclennan says North Bay would be the first city government to do so.

“North Bay is very inclusive. We saw that at PRIDE. City Council endorsed PRIDE and supported it and this is a great way to lead the way in supporting other cities and governments that we can be leaders and include everybody,” he says.

It also sends a message of HIV education in the community.

“You can’t catch it from shaking someone’s hand. There’s some employers out there that believe that. We’re trying to educate employers by saying there’s no danger to anybody for HIV. Even rendering first aid to somebody is a non-issue,” Maclennan says.

Filed under: HIV/AIDS, North Bay City Council, Ontario accord