Today marks five years since March 11, 2020 – the day the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic. The day we questioned everything we knew and feared for ourselves and our loved ones. As nurses, we stepped up. And we demanded governments step up too. Never will we forget. Never will we ignore the […]
Read MoreDear members, I don’t know how about you, but I’ve had enough! 2025 – better watch out! At the beginning of 2024, the National Executive Board of the CFNU gave us a strong mandate: be election-ready. Keep nurses, nursing staffing and patient safety at the forefront of every policy discussion. Your insight is invaluable, making it […]
Read More2024 Labour Day message from CFNU President Linda Silas Labour Day always reminds me of the incredible power of workers organizing together and the incredible power we have as nurses. The labour movement started over a century ago during the industrial revolution when workers banded together to demand an end to exploitative working conditions. Later, […]
Read MoreThe following opinion editorial first appeared in iPolitics on July 4, 2024. Canada’s nurses unions push premiers on a bold vision for the future of public health care By Linda Silas Canada needs a bold vision for the future of our health care. Amidst an ongoing staffing crisis, the cracks in our public health care systems have […]
Read MoreAn 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 […]
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