On Sept. 20, Canadians voted for a minority liberal government in the federal election. Two RNAO members – Aisha Jahangir and Bert Laranjo – were among the candidates vying for a seat in the House of Commons. Jahangir ran for the NDP and took third in her Guelph riding. Laranjo, a Conservative candidate, came in second in his riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas. Liberal incumbent for Brampton West, RN Kamal Khera, was re-elected and remains the youngest MP in the House of Commons.

RNAO’s policy platform for the federal election was released on Aug. 20, just five days after the election was called. It reminded voters that health isn’t just about health care. Health is determined by a person’s economic, social and environmental circumstances.

“Elections matter, especially when it comes to individuals’ health. It’s critical that all major federal party leaders keep a healthy recovery for all Canadians at the forefront of their platform if they want to have nurses on their side,” said RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. 

The platform was one of many ways RNAO and members spoke out during the 2021 election campaign, specifically tackling priority issues, including: social, economic and health inequities exposed by the pandemic; gaps in our health-care system that have devastated vulnerable populations; old wounds that have been opened for Indigenous people re-traumatized by the discovery of remains of Indigenous children at former residential schools; and the future of climate change.  

To ensure a healthy recovery from COVID-19 for all Canadians, RNAO urged federal candidates to commit to implementing national standards in long-term care homes, making housing a right and ending the opioid overdose crisis. To improve the country’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system, RNAO reissued its call for a national pharmacare program and the expansion of Medicare to cover essential health services. The platform also called for healing relationships with Indigenous communities by increasing the number of NPs and RNs in Indigenous communities and fully implementing all 94 calls-to-action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

“Before, during and post-pandemic, nurses hold elected officials accountable and are committed to providing evidence-based recommendations to influence healthy public policy,” said RNAO President Morgan Hoffarth. “If our recommendations are fully realized, the health of Canadians and our health-care system will be more equitable and accessible.” 

“This is why we again asked for Canada’s chief nursing officer role to be reinstated, to tackle the serious health human resources needs and influence federal health policy to serve all Canadians,” Hoffarth added. “Nurses work in all health sectors and settings, and must be at every decision-making table.”

Read the media release and full policy platform online.