TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2025
/CNW/ - To inform Canadians about nurses' priorities for the
upcoming federal election, the Registered Nurses' Association of
Ontario (RNAO) has released its
election platform. The platform presents evidence-informed
recommendations on nursing, health care, social and environmental
determinants of health, and tackling income and wealth inequality
to benefit all who call this country "home."
"RNAO members will be actively engaged in the upcoming federal
election because political processes profoundly shape the policy
decisions that impact our health and wellbeing," says RNAO
President and NP Lhamo Dolkar. "While RNAO is non-partisan, we are
unwavering in advocating for the issues that matter most. We
champion positive change and hold leaders accountable."
"We urge our members, their families and the public to actively
participate in the democratic process. Voting is not only a right –
it is a responsibility. We urge everyone to get involved, ask
important questions and challenge political candidates," Dolkar
says, adding that "a strong democracy is the foundation of a
healthy society. Together, we can protect and strengthen it."
"At the core of this platform is a nursing-led vision for
advancing health and wellbeing for everyone in Canada," says Dr. Doris Grinspun, RNAO CEO. "Nurses understand
that health is influenced by more than health care – it is shaped
by the places we live, work, and play, and increasingly by the
digital environments we engage with. RNAO underscores the urgent
need to both bolster nursing and health care, as well as address
the social and environmental determinants that shape our lives.
This includes designing and implementing fiscal policies to reduce
inequities," says Grinspun.
The recommendations in RNAO's platform include:
Nursing:
- Address the nurse staffing crisis
- Expand the role of registered nurses and nurse
practitioners
- Ensure healthy work environments
- Expand the role of the Chief Nursing Officer of Canada
Health care:
- Provide federal leadership for health system
transformation
- Expand and enhance publicly funded health care
Social determinants of health:
- Enhance social programs
- Build public and affordable housing
- Address the toxic drug crisis
- Implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to
Action
- Advance equity, diversity and inclusion
- Regulate the use of social media and artificial
intelligence
- Strengthen gun control
Environmental determinants of health:
- Advance a comprehensive climate plan
- Engage in stronger environmental regulation
Fiscal capacity and income and wealth inequality:
- Strengthen progressive taxation
- Increase income supports and transfers
- Strengthen community economic development
- Enhance employment and labour rights
- Provide a living wage
- Secure Indigenous economic support
"This election is pivotal for our country, as voters are
presented with vastly different visions for Canada's future," says Grinspun. Reflecting on
past elections, she notes that millions of Canadians chose not to
vote – a trend that, she warns, undermines our democracy. "We call
on all nurses, and indeed all Canadians, to understand the power of
their vote in shaping a more livable country for current and future
generations. Let's build a Canada
that is healthy for all," she urges.
RNAO's full policy platform is available online.
The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association
representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing
students in Ontario. Since 1925,
RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence
in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the
health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the
public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or
follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and
LinkedIn.
SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
