An RN of more than 20 years, Dr. Leigh Chapman knows how powerful nurses’ work and leadership truly are. Now Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Chapman has long been a strong advocate for harm reduction and social justice. During the early years of COVID-19, she headed a new nursing program to support people experiencing homelessness with Inner […]
Read MoreFor me, Labour Day is always a reminder of how critically important health care workers are and the incredible respect nurses deserve. A respected job in nursing – one that makes you proud, pays your bills and helps you build your future – shouldn’t be too much to ask for. Indeed, when I first became […]
Read MoreNo more making nice The following address was given by CFNU President Linda Silas at the CFNU Biennial Convention on June 8, 2023. Bonjour, Thank you for coming. So wonderful to see you here, in person again. I know it’s been a long, hard road we’ve had to get here. Our last convention was virtual, […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in National Newswatch on May 8, 2023. It’s Nursing Week – but will nurses have time to celebrate? By Linda Silas Nursing Week is a time to recognize nurses for their dedication and the important role they play in health care. We know people in Canada appreciate nurses, and […]
Read MoreSilas: Labour Day is a rallying cry for health care workers everywhere Labour Day celebrates the hard-won battles for workers’ rights in Canada and serves as a reminder of the power of workers organizing together. What started over a century ago as a fight for a shorter workday has grown into a movement of workers […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in Toronto Star on December 6, 2021. By Linda Silas Last month, Ottawa introduced Bill C-3 amending the Criminal Code to recognize violence against health workers as an aggravating factor during sentencing. The legislation would also criminalize intimidating or obstructing health-care workers or patients seeking care. Nurses’ unions welcome these new […]
Read MoreOn this Labour Day, I’m reminded of the driving forces that coalesced workers into a strong labour movement. During the industrial revolution, workers banded together to demand safer and healthier working conditions. In mines and factories, they fought for the right to return home, safe and sound, at the end of the workday. They called for […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in Toronto Star on August 30, 2021. Without a nurse, a bed is just a bed Solutions for the nursing shortage in Canada By Linda Silas Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we repeatedly heard about a shortage of beds in hospitals and long-term care. Field hospitals were deployed, equipment was […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in The Province on August 25, 2021. No more excuses: pharmacare now By Steve Morgan and Linda Silas Nearly a quarter century ago, the federal government hosted a conference on national pharmacare in Saskatoon – the birthplace of Canadian medicare. The meeting was extraordinarily frustrating to delegates who anticipated […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in Toronto Star on August 21, 2021. Devastation brought by COVID-19 shows Ottawa must take over care for seniors By Linda Silas and Pat Armstrong As Canada faces the reality of entering a fourth wave, COVID-19 continues to take an immense toll on Canada’s long-term care sector, where conditions […]
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