This opinion article was originally published in iPolitics on October 15, 2025. Violence against health care workers is a crisis that can’t go on unchecked By Linda Silas, CFNU President Stabbings, assaults, weapons and drugs. None of these should have a place in health care facilities, but violence against nurses and health care professionals has […]
Read MoreSilas: Together, we can prevent violence against health care workers October 17, 2025 (Calgary, AB) – Putting an end to violence against health care workers was the focus of discussions between Canada’s health ministers and nurse union leaders at today’s policy breakfast meeting hosted by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). “Preventing violence in […]
Read MoreSilas: We cannot allow violence against health care workers to remain a norm October 15, 2025 (OTTAWA, ON) – Canada’s health ministers are joining nurse union leaders from across the country for a policy meeting focused on tackling growing violence against health care workers. “Violence has become a constant threat for nurses and health care […]
Read MoreThe Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) categorically stands against the hateful messages espoused by members of the Ottawa convoy and condemns in the strongest terms the continuing occupation and the harassment and violence against the people of Ottawa. As the hub of this so-called protest, the streets of our nation’s capital have seen an […]
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 MoreNovember 26, 2021 (OTTAWA, ON) – The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) welcomes the federal government’s announcement of new legislation intended to protect health care workers from violence at work. Nurses are applauding measures outlined today aimed at protecting health care workers, including criminalizing activities blocking access to health facilities and amending the Criminal Code to […]
Read MoreBelow is the letter Linda Silas, CFNU President, sent today to Prime Minister Trudeau. Dear Prime Minister: I write on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) to urge your government to take serious and immediate steps to address the rampant workplace violence facing health care workers across the country. Assaults against nurses […]
Read MoreEarlier today, a New Brunswick judge handed down a sentence in the case of Randy Van Horlick, the Acadieville man who who brutally assaulted an RN and LPN in March 2019. Van Horlick will serve six months incarceration and two years of probation. The case was a shocking and grim reminder of the violence that […]
Read MoreAfter failing to adequately protect health care workers from violence, one Ontario hospital has received a slap on the wrist: a fine of $80,000. The Ontario Court of Justice imposed the fine, late last week, following a guilty plea by Southlake Hospital in Newmarket, Ontario. The case stemmed from a January 2019 incident that left […]
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE Nurses to premiers: Violence in health care demands action July 11, 2019 (SASKATOON, SK) – A panel of experts on the mounting crisis of violence against health care workers presented to Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers this morning at an event coinciding with the Council of the Federation summit in Saskatoon. Co-sponsored by […]
Read More