Last week in Ottawa, MNU President Darlene Jackson attended the Parliamentary Breakfast event organized by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU).
There, she was able to discuss important issues such as safe staffing levels, hours of work, and rural and northern healthcare with Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators, including Senator Rebecca Patterson.
Senator Patterson is a registered nurse by training and a 34-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran. She remains an active member of the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Canadian College of Health Leaders, and the Royal Canadian Medical Service Association. Visit The Senate of Canada to learn more about her.
Nursing issues are not only receiving a receptive ear in Ottawa, as on the day the last Pulse went out two weeks ago, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced that the new Manitoba government would be embarking on a Listening to the Front Line tour.
This tour started at Grace Hospital on December 8 and, over the next several months, is expected to include Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, St. Boniface Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, Brandon Regional Health Centre, Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Selkirk Mental Health Centre and Thompson General Hospital.
During the press conference, Minister Asagwara stated: “I know because I’ve heard it directly from you folks, healthcare workers in Manitoba, that you’re still dealing with the impacts of a previous government who shut you out, who ignored you and didn’t respect your expertise, and what we’re here to say is that it is a new day in healthcare in Manitoba, and that this is one of the many steps that we are going to take to make sure that we rebuild trust with healthcare workers, that we work in a unified manner to strengthen healthcare and that you folks know long term that you have a government who is with you.”
These hour-long sessions are meant for open dialogue, to share ideas and concerns that affect you, your workplace, patient care, and the healthcare system as a whole.
There may be additional locations added to the tour. If you are able to attend, this is a great opportunity to share your personal perspective on the current state of healthcare in Manitoba. If you aren’t, we encourage you to connect with colleagues and perhaps pass along your concerns. Also, Minister Asagwara said that there will be a way for those unable to attend a session to reach out to them with any feedback. More detailed information is being shared by healthcare facilities and will be posted at Engage MB.
This past Wednesday, December 6, was the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a day meant to honour the lives of the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre of 1989, when 14 women were murdered, and 14 others injured by a rampaging misogynist.
These women have not been forgotten and, at MNU, we pay special tribute to nursing student Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, one of the 14 victims.
The Canadian Labour Congress held a 16-days-of-action campaign, called Done Waiting. This campaign started on November 25, the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, and ran until yesterday, December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.
This year’s campaign theme raised awareness on four areas: the childcare crisis; sexual violence and harassment, including at work; pay equity and making work fair for women. Learn more at Done Waiting.