September 13, 2022 (St. Andrews, NB) – Canada’s nurses had hoped to see more from the federal government on addressing critical shortages of nurses and other health workers when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared the Government of Canada’s priorities ahead of Parliament’s return next week.
“We hoped to hear the federal government recognize and announce concrete steps to tackle the immense challenges facing our health care system and our health care workforce, who are suffering the effects of a nationwide staffing shortage,” said Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). “Unfortunately, there was little in the way of tangible action for addressing the crushing workloads, routine overtime and rampant violence health care workers face as they care for sick and vulnerable patients.”
Silas said nurses were happy to see the Prime Minister reiterate that the government is prepared to invest in health care and is working closely with the provinces and territories and agree with the need for new investments to achieve better outcomes. But frontline nurses need help, now.
“For nurses and health care workers at their wits’ end following years of underinvestment in health care, words are no longer enough. The time has come for concrete action, backed by firm timelines and accountability, to improve patient care in every part of the country,” concluded Silas. “Today is a missed opportunity for meaningful progress towards repairing our health care system. The CFNU will continue to push the federal government to work with the provinces and territories on lasting and concrete solutions to the health care crisis.”
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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing Canada’s frontline nurses in every sector of health care – from home care, to LTC, community and acute care, including nursing students – and advocating on key health priorities and federal engagement in the future of public health care.
CONTACT:
Ben René, CFNU Communications, 613-406-5962, media@nursesunions.ca