Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Tuesday June 12, 2001
A positive result would not mean automatic exclusion from Canada, Caplan said. Each case would be assessed individually, she said, with one factor in the decision being the burden it would place on the nation's strained health care system.
Caplan said spouses, partners, dependent children and refugees would be admitted to Canada even if they tested positive, and would be offered counseling and treatment.
Under current policy, people seeking to live in Canada get tested for the HIV virus that causes AIDS at the discretion of a doctor. The new policy would make such testing mandatory.
Would-be immigrants already can be excluded from Canada for leprosy, mental handicaps and other conditions.
Caplan's spokesman, Derik Hodgson, said the goal was to get more information for treatment and coping with the situation, not to provide a tool for denying people access to Canada.
Health Minister Allan Rock said the new policy would bring Canadian policies in line with those of other Western countries.
The Canadian Council for Refugees criticized the plan, saying it would stigmatize those seeking a better life in Canada.
"Immigrants would be the first and only group on whom Canada would impose such HIV testing," said Janet Dench of the refugee council. "The Canadian population as a whole is not subject to mandatory testing."
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