Last month, we sent out an email asking members to take part in the next phase of the CFNU’s ‘Complete the Recovery’ campaign by writing the provincial health minister to express support for nurses and health care workers and the necessary changes needed in our system.
This is being encouraged because in the coming months, provincial health ministers will be meeting and we need them to focus their meeting on addressing the nursing shortage.
In early July, leaders with CFNU, MNU and other nurses’ unions met with the premiers to discuss how they can support nurses and complete the recovery of our ailing health care system. At this meeting with the premiers, CFNU President Linda Silas emphasized the importance of collaborating with frontline health workers to enact effective, sustainable solutions.
Now, as the provinces develop plans to tackle their unique challenges, premiers need to engage with provincial nurses’ unions – the direct link to Canada's frontline nurses – to get their plans right.
CFNU and its member unions are urging the premiers to utilize the recent increase in the Canada Health Transfer and the bilateral health care agreements to bolster the nursing workforce by investing in solid retention initiatives.
These include:
- Adopting minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
- Enacting regulations around safe hours of continuous work
- Curbing overspending on nursing agencies and achieving better pay for permanent staff
- Strengthening mental health supports
- Supporting nurses throughout their careers
- Expanding nursing programs
- Speeding up the integration of internationally educated nurses
The reality is clear: Canada – and especially Manitoba – is facing a nursing shortage, and we need real, lasting change… not more short-term fixes.
Click this link to take action by sending an email to Manitoba’s Health Minister. It won’t take long, as there is a pre-written message included that you are free to change or keep as is. And please share this link with your colleagues, friends and family.