CFNU hosts first meeting of National Council for Nurse-Patient Ratios Implementation
Silas: The evidence is clear – Canada needs safe nurse-patient ratios
February 12, 2026 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is hosting the first meeting of the National Council for Nurse-Patient Ratios Implementation, bringing together health employers, government representatives, academics and nurses’ unions. The Council’s mission is to coordinate knowledge, resources, and advocacy efforts across Canada to implement a framework for spreading and scaling nurse-patient ratios.
Nurse-patient ratios are an evidence-backed safe staffing model that has been proven to protect patient safety and improve retention of nurses in all health care settings. A wide body of academic literature over several decades has consistently found and continues to call for higher nurse staffing to improve nurse and patient safety.
“All across the country, safe nurse-patient ratios are the number one ask from nurses, and there’s a good reason for it. Strong nurse-patient ratios respect the reality that nursing is a safety-critical industry, where decisions about staffing are made based on safety,” said CFNU President Linda Silas. “Safe-nurse patient ratios are critical to solving the nursing shortage and addressing the moral distress plaguing nurses who are working chronically over-capacity. Ratios are a key component of Health Canada’s Nursing Retention Toolkit – it’s past time to bring this life-saving tool across the country.”
The National Council will be co-chaired by CFNU President Linda Silas and Kerry Morrison, Provincial Chief Nursing Officer of British Columbia. British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to commit to establishing minimum nurse-patient ratios in April 2023. Nova Scotia followed suit only months later, committing to develop a safe staffing framework to determine the appropriate number of nurses for safe care in different settings.
In recent months, the Manitoba government and Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) have agreed to work on a safe staffing model. The Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care and MNU President Darlene Jackson have both joined the National Council.
“In British Columbia, we are already seeing the positive impact in areas that safe nurse-patient ratios are being implemented,” said Morrison. “We know this is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every workplace in every province and territory. Bringing this vital tool across the country requires true collaboration. By listening, learning from each other, following the evidence, and working together, we can chart a path out of this staffing crisis.”
The creation of a National Council was the top recommendation that emerged from the National NPR Summit held in the fall of 2024.
The National Council for Nurse-Patient Ratios Implementation is comprised of:
Co-Chairs:
Linda Silas, President, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
Kerry Morrison, Provincial Chief Nursing Officer British Columbia
Nurses’ union members:
Adriane Gear, President, British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU)
Bryce Boynton, President, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN)
Darlene Jackson, President, Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU)
Erin Ariss, President, Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA)
Janet Hazelton, President, Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU)
Jérôme Rousseau, Vice-président du Comité exécutif de la Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec
Kim Sears, President, Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union (PEINU)
Nicole Scott, PRC Advisor, United Nurses of Alberta (UNA)
Paula Doucet, President, New Brunswick Nurses Union (NBNU)
Raelynn Strangemore, Region 2 Representative, Registered Nurses Union Newfoundland and Labrador (RNUNL)
Government and employer members:
The Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, Government of Manitoba
Vivian Eliopoulos, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health
Marlene Smadu, Executive in Residence, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School, University of Regina
Monika Warren, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, HSC, Shared Health (Manitoba)
Allison White, Corporate Director of Nursing, Vitalité Health Network
Annette Elliott Rose, Chief Nurse Executive & Vice President, Clinical Performance & Professional Practice, Nova Scotia Health
Marion Dowling, Chief Nursing, Professional Practice and System Integration, Government of PEI, Health and Wellness
Colleen Bannon, Director, Professional Practice Office, Health PEI
Amanda Jennings, Senior Director Provincial Clinical Practice, Newfoundland & Labrador Health Services
Brigitte Martel, Directrice générale des secteurs interdisciplinaires (DGSI), Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Sheila Thompson, Interprofessional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer, Yukon Government, Department of Health and Social Services
Jo-Anne Cecchetto, Retired Deputy Minister, Department of Health and Social Services, Government of the Northwest Territories
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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing 250,000 frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.
For more information, please contact Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 6138072942.