RNAO provides provincial government with budget advice
NP and associate director of nursing and health policy Dr. Alanna Coleman represented the association at a community provincial budget consultation on Dec. 16, 2024.
Coleman met with the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, minister of finance. Also present for the consultation: Deepak Anand, parliamentary assistant to the minister of small business and MPP for Mississauga—Malton; Rudy Cuzzetto, parliamentary assistant to the minister of energy and electrification and MPP for Mississauga—Lakeshore; and the Honourable Nina Tangri, associate minister of small business and MPP Mississauga—Streetsville.
Universal primary care means primary care for everyone.
Coleman reiterated RNAO’s calls to address the RN staffing crisis and to adopt measures to improve access to primary care through better utilization of NPs. She also discussed the need to increase access to dementia care across the province. Bethlenfalvy praised RNAO for its work and said the government is committed to addressing these issues.
On Jan. 24, 2025, RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar (above) appeared before a community budget meeting in Toronto. Speaking before Zee Hamid, the parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance, she outlined the urgent need to attach all Ontarians to a family physician or NP, and to fund additional NP-led clinics.
Read more in RNAO's media release about the January appearance.
RNAO releases its federal election platform
When Canadians go to the polls for a much-anticipated federal election this year, they will have a platform of recommendations to help them decide which political party has policies focused on their health and wellbeing. Released on Jan. 12, RNAO’s platform outlines evidence-informed recommendations on nursing, health care, social and environmental determinants of health, and how to tackle income and wealth inequality.
RNAO members will again be actively engaged in the upcoming election because nurses know healthy public policy profoundly shapes people’s day-to-day lives. While RNAO is non-partisan, it is steadfast in advocating for the issues that matter most. Members are encouraged to read the platform and media release, engage on social media and ensure RNAO’s recommendations are front-and-centre in discussions that take place at chapter, region and interest group events about the coming election.
The platform will be part of discussions during RNAO’s upcoming assembly meeting on Feb. 28 in Toronto.
RNAO's provincial election platform
On Jan. 28, 2025, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced voters would go to the polls on Feb 27. RNAO issued a media release and launched a platform of recommendations covering five key areas: nursing; health care; the social determinants of health; the environmental determinants of health; and increasing fiscal capacity and reducing income and wealth inequality.
Queen’s Park on the Road
RNAO is in the midst of another lively round of meetings between members and their MPPs as part of Queen’s Park on the Road (QPOR). More than 25 meetings have taken place since the event got underway in November 2024. Discussions have been dynamic, touching on the RN staffing crisis, NP scope and funding, home and long-term care challenges, housing, poverty, toxic drugs, the climate emergency, and other issues that impact on nurses and their patients, clients and/or residents. There’s still time to participate.
QPOR meetings with MPPs can take place in-person and virtually for the foreseeable future. For more information about how to plan a meeting, and to view the photo gallery of past events, visit RNAO’s website. And contact Ann-Marie Morris in RNAO’s policy department (amorris@RNAO.ca) for additional information.
RNAO’s policy advice delivers results
RNAO is at the forefront of shaping health-care decisions by offering expert advice to the government on critical nursing and health issues. Members are encouraged to explore the many issues on which RNAO has left its mark, such as our submission advocating for expanded scope of practice for RNs and NPs. This submission resulted in positive news on Nov. 28, 2024.
Visit our website for a full list of RNAO submissions. There you will find advice to the College of Nurses of Ontario on proposed amendments to the Nursing Act and amendments to the Long-Term Care Act.