Between 6,000 and 8,000 people gathered downtown Thursday evening to pay tribute to those who've fallen victim to AIDS. An estimated 38.6 million people are living with the disease worldwide.
Delegates from the conference, politicians, and members of the public came together at Yonge-Dundas Square for a candlelight vigil.
"We hope to bring HIV out of the shadow of discrimination and stigma by having it in such an open space," AIDS counsellor Jocelyn Watchorn said.
Fifteen representatives for groups affected by the disease lit candles in honour of those who've died and the public looked on in silence until they were asked to call out the names of those being remembered.
Several members of the crowd heckled federal Health Minister Tony Clement when he took to the stage to light a candle just before the moment of silence.
Some yelled, "Shame on you," while others cried, "Where's Harper?"
"What I can say is that he is absolutely committed to a new announcement very soon," Clement said after the ceremony.
Harper has defended his decision not to attend the conference. He visited the Canadian north for the first time as Prime Minister this week and said that trip had been booked for some time.
The P.M. also said his government is committed to fighting AIDS but officials confirmed the Conservatives won't be making any funding announcements at the conference in Toronto.
The issue has become too "politicized" to make an announcement now, Harper said.
Aside from Clement, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman, Toronto Mayor David Miller and N.D.P. Leader Jack Layton were also in the crowd Thursday.
AIDS was first recognized on June 5, 1981 and since then it's become one of the most destructive epidemics in history, killing more than 25 million people.