The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) stands in strong support of the Organizations for Health Action (HEAL) Consensus Document, particularly its focus on addressing Canada’s health human resources (HHR) crisis. This document’s emphasis on the urgent need for a National Health Human Resource Plan is timely and essential.
For decades, the CFNU has advocated for a comprehensive national strategy to address HHR needs in Canada. Nurses across the country have witnessed firsthand the strain that severe workforce shortages and high levels of burnout place on patient care and the health care system. Our data shows that 4 in 10 nurses are planning to leave the profession as health care demand in Canada is increasing. As advocates, we have consistently called for increased federal leadership to build a resilient health care workforce, a call that resonates deeply with the HEAL document’s recommendations.
The HEAL document’s proposed National Health Human Resource Plan – including comprehensive data systems, enhanced recruitment and retention strategies, and a dedicated focus on worker wellness – aligns with CFNU’s long-standing recommendations. We believe that only with robust interprovincial collaboration, federally coordinated standards and data-driven planning can Canada achieve a sustainable health workforce capable of meeting Canadians’ current and future health care needs.
The CFNU commends the consensus achieved in this document and stands ready to support its implementation alongside our health care partners.
