December 15, 2025
The Hon. Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
& The Hon. Sylvia Jones
Minister of Health of Ontario
Re: Negotiating a fair collective agreement with NYFHT primary health care workers
Dear Premier Ford and Minister Jones,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions representing 250,000 frontline nurses and nursing students from across the country. Nurses’ unions in every province across Canada work closely together to advance our workplace rights and conditions, and advocate for better public health care for all.
Today, I am calling on you to act immediately to pressure the NYFHT employer to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair, first collective agreement with the 44 Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) members who are currently on strike. Since beginning their strike on October 20, ONA members have been fighting for accountability, fairness and above all high-quality care for more than 95,000 patients in North York. They do not do so alone. They have 250,000 unionized nurses and healthcare professionals from across the country behind them.
As you are aware, primary health care in Ontario has been underfunded for years, making it difficult to retain and recruit nurses and healthcare professionals. These workers have endured a seven-year wage freeze and minimal, below-inflation increases since then, making it increasingly hard for them to make ends meet. Many members continued to work in primary care because of their passion for supporting patients. But passion does not pay the bills.
Earlier this year, NYFHT received an increase in base funding for existing interprofessional primary health care teams, supporting retention and recruitment including through wage increases. It is shameful that NYFHT used the allocated funds to cover existing benefit costs and offset their deficit rather than to improve wages or benefits as intended. Meanwhile, they have come to the table offering zero per cent to their workers. As living costs rise, this amounts to a wage cut.
I met with these incredibly dedicated workers who care passionately about their patients, but they cannot accept this disrespect and I agree with them.
Though we are nine weeks into this strike, it’s not too late for you to fix this situation. It is incumbent on you to take urgent action to get a fair resolution. The only way to do that is by negotiating a fair first collective agreement so ONA members can return to work and deliver the primary health care Ontarians need and deserve.
We look forward to your urgent response.
Sincerely,
Linda Silas, CFNU President