In October 1999, a Reform Party Member of Parliament introduced Bill C-244 (the Blood Samples Act) in the House of Commons as a private member's bill. The bill proposes to permit forced blood testing of persons for HIV or hepatitis B or C where peace officers, firefighters, and other emergency services personnel or other health-care workers, may have been exposed to the risk of infection. It also proposes imprisonment for up to six months of any person who refuses court-ordered testing. In January 2000, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network wrote to the federal Minister of Justice, explaining why such legislation is unnecessary, unethical, contrary to existing law regarding "informed consent," and unconstitutional. On 21 March 2000, the Bill passed second reading unanimously. It now awaits committee hearings. This article sets out the concerns the Network raised about the proposal for compulsory HIV testing.
