More than 3,700 nurses and members of the public have signed an April RNAO action alert in response to the provincial government’s decision to cut funding for public health. By the end of May, the government slowed its course, announcing it would not move on the cuts for the current year. 

RNAO has long advocated for the public health sector because public health nurses play a key role in the health of individuals and communities. In this role, RNs help to prevent and control infectious and communicable diseases, reduce harm from substance use, and ensure the safety of food and water. 

That’s why RNAO CEO Doris Grinspun joined other nurses and physicians in May to speak out against the cuts.

At a media conference at Toronto’s City Hall, organized by Joe Cressy, municipal councillor and chair of the city’s board of health, Grinspun said the cuts – especially at a time of deep public health restructuring – create instability and place critical front-end services at risk. While RNAO understands the government’s desire to make the health system more effective by creating 10 public health entities in favour of the existing 35 public health units, Grinspun implored Premier Doug Ford not to cut public health funding. She said the government risks repeating past mistakes, citing the SARs outbreak in which 43 people died.