TORONTO, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS activists clasped hands across a chilly bridge near Ottawa Friday, while others here lined up 5,000 empty prescription bottles to demonstrate the heavy financial toll that the disease takes on its victims in activities to mark World AIDS Day.

Two hundred people bracing the chilly weather formed a hand chain across the Interprovincial Bridge between Ottawa and Hull, Quebec, before presenting paper prayers at the Museum of Civilization, said Lise Ladouceur, executive director of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa in an interview.

While she said participation in the event matched last year's turnout, many AIDS organizations and activists here worry that people are becoming too complacent with the decades-old disease.

"A lot of people are pointing to a level of complacency because of the introduction of some fairly effective treatments," Steven Squibb, executive director of the Ontario AIDS network, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, trying to fight this complacency, lined up 5,708 empty pill bottles at city hall here to draw attention to the physical and financial toll of dealing with the disease.

HIV-infected individuals and people with AIDS are spending at least 10,000 dollars (6,500 US) a year and upwards of 30,000 dollars (19,500 US), said foundation spokesman Raymond Helkio. He added that they also have to deal with taking as many as 20 pills a day to adhere to treatment regimens.

The disease is on the rise in Canada, which had a 24-percent increase in its HIV-infected population -- including AIDS patients -- in three years between the end of 1996 and 1999, Health Canada said last week.

A total of 49,800 people were living with AIDS or were HIV-infected, with 4,190 Canadians who became newly infected in 1999, compared with 1996 figures, its statistics show.

Health Canada estimates up to 15,000 Canadians are infected with HIV but unaware of their status.

Its latest report on HIV/AIDS statistics shows a 45 percent increase in the incidence and prevalence among Canadian heterosexuals to 8,000 in 1999, compared to 1996.

More remarkably aboriginal communities have witnessed a 91 percent increase between 1996 and 1999, with 2,740 HIV infections last year.

Activists urged the government to increase AIDS funding to 85 million dollars (55 million US) from 42.2 million (27.3 million US), where it has remained for several years.

Health Minister Allan Rock said Friday that the government "continues to take the battle against HIV/AIDS seriously and remains committed" to fighting and controlling its spread, but offered no additional funding.

Over the years, many Canadian AIDS organizations have turned to private funding, which has proved to be quite successful. For example, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS research held hundred-plate dinners in several swanky boutiques and shops here on Wednesday, raising a net of 325,000 dollars (211,000 US) in one evening.

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