Nurses and doctors push health ministers to focus on strengthening and expanding our public health care system

Silas: Protect patients, protect health professionals, protect public health care.

January 30, 2025 (HALIFAX, NS) – Nurse union leaders from across the country joined Canada’s health ministers in Halifax today for a policy discussion with allied health organizations focused on supporting health care workers for the future of public health care.

“This is a critical moment for health care in Canada. Nurses and doctors know this, they see it on the front lines delivering care every day. That’s why organizations representing our country’s health professionals came together to deliver a message to Canada’s health ministers: protect patients, protect health professionals, protect public health care,” said Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU).

The Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association and the College of Family Physicians of Canada joined the CFNU at the policy briefing with opening remarks from Minister of Health Mark Holland and Nova Scotia Minister of Health and Wellness Michelle Thompson.

Canada’s nurse union leaders urged provincial and territorial health ministers to sign onto pharmacare agreements with the federal government and to embrace the inclusion of nurse practitioners as a critical solution for growing primary care access.

The CFNU is calling on provinces and territories to prepare now for the inclusion of nurse practitioners under the Canada Health Act by:

• Ensuring funding mechanisms align with the inclusion of NPs in insured services.
• Expanding training programs and recruitment initiatives to grow the NP workforce.

“Right now, we are on track to improve health outcomes and reduce strain on the health system with life-saving coverage for prescription medications. With the recent federal interpretation letter on nurse practitioners, we are closer to ensuring everyone has access to primary care,” said Silas. “Canadians are counting on these crucial expansions that will improve patient care and provide much-needed reprieve to nurses and health professionals across the country.”

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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing 250,000 frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.

For more information, please contact Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 613‑807‑2942.