At Positive Living Niagara, our work is grounded in accountability to our community by upholding our mission to provide a continuum of innovative and proactive approaches to harm reduction, prevention and a person-centered focus on support and education for those at risk and affected by HIV, HCV, STBBIs and substance use.
Our work is guided by a steadfast commitment to principles such as GIPA/MIPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS and Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS), anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, decriminalization, harm reduction, and the rights and responsibilities of our clients.
Our commitment to these values ensures that we address the needs of marginalized and racialized communities who face significant barriers to accessing services. It is our responsibility to integrate these values into our daily operations and create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By doing so, we strive to eliminate stigma, discrimination, and systemic injustices, fostering a community where all individuals can thrive.
GIPA – the Greater Involvement of People living with HIV (PLHIV)
MIPA – Meaningful involvement of PLHIV
People living with HIV have a right to self-determination and participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives. The meaningful involvement of people living with HIV is crucial to foster a comprehensive understanding of individual needs, as well as promoting inclusivity and ensuring policies and interventions to address the diverse challenges faced in this community.
PLN recognizes the dynamic nature of this environment, and the continual assessment and ongoing changes essential to the sustained inclusion of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Criminalization of HIV Transmission Statement
HIV non-disclosure refers to criminal cases where a person living with HIV, who is aware of their status, does not disclose their HIV status before sexual activity that poses a realistic possibility of transmission.
Individuals in these cases may be charged with different criminal offenses, including aggravated sexual assault. The law has not caught up to the science of HIV transmission and is at odds with Public Health objectives.
Positive Living Niagara supports the UNAIDS call for action to decriminalize HIV as an important step to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030.
The UNAIDS Policy Brief can be found here.
The grounding philosophy of harm reduction is to minimize the negative consequences associated with various behaviours, with the understood knowledge that complete abstinence may not be achievable or desired. Programs and procedures are based on evidence-based practice, which also guides support and advocacy for broader issues such as decriminalization and safer supply. With a client centered lens, PLN works to enhance overall well-being by providing support, education and resources to individuals engaging in substance use, with the overall goal of reducing harms for the individual and community as a whole.
The Vienna Declaration is a statement seeking to improve community health and safety by calling for the incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies.
Land acknowledgments are an invitation to reflect and bring people into a conversation to remind us of our responsibility to take action.
We acknowledge the land upon which we gather, as the shared territory of First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today this gathering place on Turtle Island is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Acknowledging the land reminds us it is our shared duty to uphold the commitment to treating the land, water, plants, and animals, with respect.
The Indigenous worldview of “All My Relations” reminds us that we are all interconnected and share a responsibility to uphold treaty agreements—regardless of how we came to this conversation. We recognize that our responsibilities to one another go beyond treaties and are rooted in our shared humanity.
We cannot respond to the HIV and drug poisoning epidemics without addressing the systemic barriers that place Indigenous people at greater risk of infection and poorer health outcomes. To begin this process, we support the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
As a non-Indigenous organization, we acknowledge our own privilege and role in the systems of colonization, and we strive to dismantle them. Positive Living Niagara is committed to decolonizing our own work on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for the resources and friendship of Indigenous peoples, and for the opportunity and privilege to work with communities across this territory.
We encourage people to learn more by visiting the following resources:
Anti-racism is grounded in fostering a society that values equity, dignity and justice for all. Creating an inclusive environment and dismantling systemic discrimination promotes an environment where all individuals are treated with respect.
Anti-discrimination is rooted in the principles of equality and human rights with an overarching goal to treat every individual without prejudice, irrespective of their background.
Anti-oppression is built on the foundation of commitment to dismantle systems of power and privilege, which in turn fosters a society where individuals are liberated from oppression based on factors including but not limited to gender, race, religion, sexuality, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
PLN strives to operate within a framework of policies and practice that facilitates the creation of a safe environment for all those engaged with the agency, whether as a client, volunteer, employee, or community partner.
As a client of Positive Living Niagara, you have the right to express concerns and complaints about any aspect of the services that Positive Living Niagara offers.
All clients have rights and responsibilities.
Check out your rights and responsibilities here:
Client Rights & Responsibilites – English | French | Spanish
We value your feedback on CTS and would love to hear from you!
Our team will respond within two business days. For matters that fall outside the scope of our services, we’ll follow up within ten business days to provide a clear explanation.
Thank you for your ongoing support – we remain committed to working closely with our community and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.
Feedback can be left by:
- Mail: Attn: CTS
120 Queenston St.
St. Catharines, ON
L2R 2Z3 - Email: tstorm@positivelivingniagara.com
- Main Office: Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM
Statement of Commitment
Positive Living Niagara is committed to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and to providing services in ways that respect dignity and independence. Our goal is inclusion. We want to ensure that all of our clients, including clients with disabilities, are able to full access and benefit from our services.
Positive Living Niagara welcomes clients accompanied by service animals or support persons. We also support the use of assistive devices and will work with clients on an individual basis to ensure they are able to access our services.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
We are committed to providing accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities upon request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. Accessible formats and communication supports will be provided in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Accessible formats and communication supports can be requested via:
- Telephone: 905-984-8684
- Email: info@positivelivingniagara.com
- In-Person: 120 Queenston St., St. Catharines / Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM
- Mail: Positive Living Niagara, 120 Queenston St., St. Catharines, ON, L2R 2Z3
Accessing Our Offices
Positive Living Niagara is located at 120 Queenston St., which has an automated door opener at the main entrance of the building and accessibility ramps at the back of the building for access to the lower levels.
Our Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site, is located at 105 Queenston St., and is at the back of the building.
Accessibility Compliance Report – to view click here!
2025 – 2026 Annual Report
Below you’ll find our online Annual Reports, which highlight the impact, progress, and stories made possible through the support of our community. Each report offers a snapshot of the meaningful work taking place at Positive Living Niagara.