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While the fallout from PMS' refusal to attend the International AIDS Conference continues, the Cons' highest-ranking representative at the conference is also earning well-deserved criticism for his insincerity on the file:

Clement said the government intends "to do this comprehensively, do it rationally to get some good information and advice because really this is our first opportunity as a new government to consider this legislation."

But Stephen Lewis, the United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, was skeptical of when the review will be held.

"This gives new meaning to the word immediate. They were elected eight months ago. If this is the nature of their particular dictionary, I wouldn't trust any word."

If there was a sense of urgency about it, the review would already have happened six months ago, he said.

"We've lost another six months, in other words, and now we'll lose even more time."

At the very least, Canada can be proud to be home to one of the leading figures in the effort to fight AIDS. And it's certainly a plus to see another prominent voice highlighting the gap between rhetoric and action from the Cons. It's just a shame that Lewis' role is limited to a diplomatic one, particularly compared to the consistent disinterest by both Lib and Con governments.