tolerance afforded those afflicted with HIV

Similarly, the level of tolerance afforded those afflicted with HIV is seen in other circumstances as well. Previous research has shown that a majority of Canadians (85 per cent) believed the best solution for treating injection drug users was enrolment in rehabilitation programs rather than more drastic measures such as alienating them from society completely.²

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• Older Canadians demonstrate significantly lower levels of tolerance. Seniors are significantly less likely to say that they could be friends with someone with HIV/AIDS (only 61 per cent could). They are also more likely to believe that people who have contracted HIV/AIDS through sex or drug use have gotten what they deserve (20 per cent), and to believe that people with HIV/AIDS should not be allowed to serve the public in positions like dentists, cooks (66 per cent) or (to a lesser extent) hairstylists (30 per cent).
  
• Those with lower education and income are less likely to say that they could be friends with someone with HIV/AIDS (77 per cent could), as are those with a low level of perceived or actual knowledge (75 per cent could). Those who know someone with HIV/AIDS are more likely to say they can (89 per cent). Canadians with lower income levels are more likely to believe that people who have contracted HIV/AIDS through sex or drug use have gotten what they deserve (16 per cent of those with incomes below $40,000).
  
• Those born outside Canada are also more likely to blame people who have contracted HIV/AIDS through sex or drug use for their condition (19 per cent do), as do people who believe the risk of HIV has grown in the last five years (15 per cent do). Those born outside Canada and Canadians who are likely to distance themselves from HIV/AIDS are less likely to.
  
• Those with university education and individuals with a high level of knowledge are more likely to be accepting of people with HIV/AIDS in positions like cooks, dentists (45 and 43 per cent, respectively) or hairstylists (74 and 73 per cent, respectively).