November 8, 2022 (Vancouver, BC) — Canada faces one of the worst health care crises and nursing shortages in its history, hurting patient care in every region of the country. Amid this crisis, Canada’s nurses were hoping to see meaningful collaboration and action by federal, provincial and territorial governments during this week’s Health Ministers’ Meeting in Vancouver.
However, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) are disappointed that no progress or collaboration was achieved today, after a statement by Canada’s Premiers was released amid the meeting between Health Ministers.
The lack of results and finger pointing is not what nurses expect, leaving them wondering if their governments have their back. Nurses from across Canada are burnt out and under severe stress while facing unprecedented pressures that have pushed them past the breaking point.
We recognize that the federal government should be stepping up with more money for health care in Canada, but new investments must be targeted towards areas of critical need to ensure that Canadians receive the care they need, when they need it.
Nurses know the importance of working together and expect stronger collaboration from their elected leaders at all levels of government.
We call on provincial and territorial governments to put patients first and work collaboratively with the federal government and stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress in addressing Canada’s health care crisis. Political differences must be put aside to prioritize patient and worker needs.
The CFNU and the CNA will request a meeting with Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, Chair of the Council of the Federation, which represents Canada’s Premiers, to discuss the critical measures needed to support nurses and Canada’s health system.
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About the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing Canada’s frontline nurses in every sector of health care – from home care, LTC, community and acute care, including nursing students – and advocating on key health priorities and federal engagement in the future of public health care.
About the Canadian Nurses Association
CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all types of nurses across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent nurses that are unionized and non-unionized, retired nurses, nursing students, and all categories of nurses (registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed and registered practical nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses).
For more information, please contact:
Adella Khan, CFNU, media@nursesunions.ca, 613-807-2942
Lucas Veiga, CNA, lveiga@cna-aiic.ca, 613-697-7497