Good Afternoon:

My name is Wendy Pearson and I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students. The region that I represent encompasses the Ottawa-Carleton area and is home to thousands of these dedicated professionals. We thank the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for the opportunity to offer guidance as the government engages in its pre-budget consultation.

Good Afternoon:

My name is Aric Rankin. I am a nurse practitioner and I’m representing the Board of Directors of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). We are the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. The region I represent includes Brant-Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton and Niagara. I thank you for the opportunity to offer RNAO’s recommendations on two important issues facing nurse practitioners: 1) unfreeze NP compensation, and 2) implement immediate regulatory changes to authorize NPs to prescribe all controlled drugs and substances, including methadone, testosterone and suboxone.

My name is Denise Wood. I’m a registered nurse in Ontario, having practised for 45 years in many capacities: as an educator, administrator and in acute and emergency care. I have witnessed first-hand the outcomes of patients who have experienced different levels of sexual assault. I have also witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace. Currently, I am the region 9 representative on the board of directors for RNAO and also the treasurer of the Kingston chapter of RNAO. Region 9 includes Kingston and area, Lanark Leeds and Grenville, Champlain and Seaway chapters.

Good Afternoon. My name is Tim Lenartowych and I am the Director of Nursing and Health Policy at the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). I am joined by my colleague, Lynn Anne Mulrooney, who is our Senior Policy Analyst. As many of you already know, RNAO is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students who practise in all roles and sectors in Ontario. Our mandate is to advocate for healthy public policy and the nursing role in enhancing the health of Ontarians.