RNAO's Federal Election Platform

Pillars: NURSING | HEALTH CARE | SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | FISCAL CAPACITY AND INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUALITY

Resources: Media release

Canadians go to the polls on Monday, April 28. Elections matter. And, this election is the most important and significant in our country’s history.

Nurses know what is at stake in this election. And that health extends far beyond health care. It is shaped by our economic, social and environmental circumstances. At the heart of RNAO’s platform is a nursing-driven vision for promoting health and wellbeing — for everyone!

RNAO urges every nurse, their families and the public to engage in the democratic process. Voting is more than a right; it is a responsibility. We urge you to participate, ask critical questions and challenge political candidates. A strong democracy is foundational to a healthy society — and together — we can work to protect and strengthen it.

Nurses stand with and for Canada. It’s worth fighting for.

We invite you to share with others our recommendations.

NURSING

1. NURSE STAFFING CRISIS

National Task Force to recommend safe nursing staffing ratios
targeted funding for health human resources, especially NPs, RNs and RPNs
competitive working conditions and compensation across jurisdictions and sectors
increasing full-time roles, reducing dependence on staffing agencies and casual work
stop “poaching” nurses abroad; support Canadian-based internationally educated nurses

2. SCOPE OF PRACTICE

expand NP roles in all sectors, especially addressing gaps in community care, primary care, long-term care and home care
expand RN scope, including embedding RN prescribing in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) curriculum

3. HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENTS

address equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
end workplace violence
enhance supports for staff mental health

4. FEDERAL POLICY

expand the role of the Chief Nursing Officer of Canada

HEALTH CARE

1. HEALTH SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION

uphold Canada Health Act (CHA) principles and spirit: portability, accessibility, universality, comprehensiveness and public administration
expand federal share of health-care funding
leverage federal funding to enforce CHA principles and spirit
federal-provincial/territorial agreements to drive outcomes
protect public health-care from investor-driven privatization

2. EXPAND AND ENHANCE PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE

fund enhanced capacity and preparedness in public health
fund interprofessional primary care teams
expand access and review the national Mental Health Strategy
expand the dental program
expand the Pharmacare program
launch a national home care program
fund, regulate and strengthen national standards in long-term care

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

1. SOCIAL PROGRAMS

expand national daycare program

2. HOUSING

expand public and affordable/accessible housing, implement rent control and alleviate housing cost burden
address homelessness

3. TOXIC DRUGS CRISIS

enhance upstream harm reduction services

4. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

implement Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action

5. EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

protect Charter rights for vulnerable groups
address issues of representation, economic participation, discrimination, violence and access to justice for equity-deserving groups, such as women, people with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and people under the 2SLGBTQI+ umbrella

6. SOCIAL MEDIA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

regulate to reduce negative impacts on mental health, social cohesion and democracy

7. GUN CONTROL

tackle gun violence and tighten gun control

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

1. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

shrink carbon emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050
retain nationwide price on carbon and emission cap on oil and gas
phase out coal-fired plants, phase down oil and gas, shift to renewables and clean technology
tailor plans for key sectors, including oil and gas, transportation, buildings and finance
adapt national strategy for climate resilience and lessen impacts of extreme events
ensure Indigenous traditional knowledge is reflected in climate initiatives and solutions through Indigenous-led partnerships
uphold Paris Agreement limiting rise to 1.5 Celsius and fund climate efforts

2. STRONGER ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030, strengthen environmental impact assessment, and safeguard endangered species and habitats
reduce plastic waste, enforce polluter-pay, promote circular economy, and regulate harmful emissions and chemicals
protect vulnerable communities from environmental harm and ensure equitable access to healthy environment

FISCAL CAPACITY AND INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUALITY

1. PROGRESSIVE TAXATION

increase taxes on high-income earners and wealth
introduce wealth taxes on large inheritances and net wealth
increase fairness by taxing pollution and enforcing polluter-pay principle, tackling tax havens, closing tax loopholes and requiring corporations to pay fair taxes

2. INCOME SUPPORTS AND TRANSFERS

expand social transfers like the Canada Child Benefit, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Canada Disability Benefit
advance towards a universal basic income ensuring a safety net for all

3. STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES

boost targeted programs that focus on helping marginalized communities
increase investments in community infrastructure and services in underprivileged areas

4. EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RIGHTS

support full-time employment opportunities and improve job security
enhance collective bargaining rights to reduce wage disparities

5. LIVING WAGE

raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage that aligns with the cost of living
incentivize provinces and territories to follow a similar policy

6. INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC SUPPORT

promote economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples through targeted investment, land claims and employment initiatives