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News & Events

April 1, 2026
Canada Health Act Canada Health Act Services Policy Nurse Practitioners Statement

CFNU applauds new CHA Policy that ensures nurse practitioners are included in primary health care funding

The Canada Health Act Services Policy comes into effect today, rightly ensuring that medically necessary services are to be covered under provincial and territorial health insurance plans, whether provided by a physician or another regulated health professional such as a nurse practitioner. “Nurse practitioners are a growing workforce with the potential to ease the primary […]

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March 31, 2026
Statement Stephen Lewis

Statement on the passing of Stephen Lewis

It is with great sorrow that members of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions mark the passing of former politician, activist and global HIV/AIDS advocate Stephen Lewis. His work and advocacy around preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa and ensuring access to quality health care will be recognized and celebrated by all Canadians. Stephen […]

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March 30, 2026
economy nation-building public health care The Economic Benefits of Canada’s Public Health Care System

New report outlines the economic benefits of Canada’s public health care system

Silas: Public health care is not only vital to Canadians’ well-being – it is also foundational to our economy. March 30, 2026 (Ottawa, ON) – In the face of worsening trade and economic threats from the United States, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) has released a new report outlining the economic benefits of […]

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March 23, 2026
Statement

Statement on proposed cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is alarmed by the federal government’s decision to impose out-of-pocket co-payments on refugees and refugee claimants accessing care through the Interim Federal Health Program, effective May 1. These changes represent a significant cut to a program that exists to ensure some of the most vulnerable people in Canada can access […]

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February 17, 2026
Statement

Canada’s nurses express solidarity with the people of Cuba

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), representing 250,000 unionized nurses and nursing students from across the country, stands in solidarity with the people of Cuba amid the dire humanitarian crisis facing the country and its health care system. Inhumane pressures imposed on Cuba by the United States have placed additional strain on its already […]

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February 13, 2026
Media Release Nurse-Patient Ratios

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 […]

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February 12, 2026
Statement

Statement from CFNU President Linda Silas on the Tumbler Ridge Shooting

My thoughts are with those killed, injured and impacted by the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC. On behalf of the 250,000 members of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, including our fellow members of the BC Nurses’ Union, I extend our sincerest condolences to everyone impacted by this tragedy. The violence experienced this week by […]

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February 11, 2026
Blog privatization

Opinion: Health care is a human right

This opinion article was originally published in The Hill Times on February 11, 2026. Health care is a human right The federal government cannot let privatization erode access to the public system. By Linda Silas, CFNU President Canadians are rightly worried about access to health care. Long waits, delayed and cancelled surgeries, and difficulty finding […]

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February 6, 2026
Statement

CFNU Statement on the situation in Iran: Health care workers must be protected

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) condemns the violent repression of protests and strikes that began in Iran this January. Between January 7-8, 2026, many people were killed during the protests. While it is difficult to verify the number of deaths, estimates are as high as 33,000. This number of lost lives is both […]

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February 4, 2026
Statement

CFNU applauds the federal government’s move to build a more connected health care system

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) supports the federal government’s decision to introduce legislation that would build a more connected health care system. The Connected Care for Canadians Act, Bill S-5, aims to empower health care providers and protect patient safety by ensuring providers are able to share electronic information securely and seamlessly outside […]

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