Take Your MPP To Work

Members of provincial parliament (MPP) have been getting a firsthand look at how RNs and NPs are making a difference in the lives of Ontarians. The visits are part of RNAO’s Take Your MPP To Work initiative, which began during Nursing Week in May 2000. With nurses as their guides, MPPs participate each year in tours to various health organizations, getting an inside view of system successes and nursing and health priorities that require attention. 

Key issues that came up during this year’s event include: 

• providing competitive compensation across all roles and sectors while ensuring safe and healthy workloads and full-time employment
• the need for more RNs across all sectors
• maximizing the number and role of NPs, especially in primary care, so Ontarians have faster access to health care 
• changing funding models in long-term care and supporting minimum staffing levels to improve quality of care and resident safety

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, then Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop, then Long-Term Care Minister Stan Cho, current Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, official opposition NDP leader Marit Stiles, Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie and Green Party leader Mike Schreiner were among those who met with members of RNAO’s executive team, including then President Dr. Claudette Holloway, then President-Elect NP Lhamo Dolkar and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. Numerous chapters also organized events with their local elected representatives. Visit RNAO.ca/take-your-MPP-to-work to check out our photo gallery. Eleven visits have taken place so far. It’s not too late to book a visit with your MPP. Meetings can be arranged until the end of September. Contact Ann-Marie Morris at amorris@RNAO.ca or 416-599-1925, ext. 214.