A while flag with a red ribbon will fly at Province House Friday, to mark World AIDS Day.

Nova Scotia will join organizations across the planet recognizing the role communities have had in shaping the HIV/AIDS response, with the global theme is “Let communities lead”.

“Those infected with HIV/AIDS still face discrimination and stigma even though great strides have been made with treatment,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “We’ll continue to work and help remove inequity barriers that get in the way of proper prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Nova Scotia.”

Today also marks the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Canada to reflect on what the national and global response to HIV has achieved and the work left to be done.

Nova Scotia averages about 13 to 27 cases of AIDS a year, with 27 reported in 2022.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says that at the end of 2020, there were 62,790 Canadians living with HIV.