RNAO’s ongoing media profile: Your October 2025 report

In October, RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun penned an op-ed about climate change and its impact on the environment and the health of Canadians. The op-ed published in The Hill Times (Oct. 8), responds to new federal legislation that undermines Canada’s commitments to clean energy. Dolkar and Grinspun say that the Building Canada Act “risks weakening environmental safeguards, bypassing federal assessments, and eroding public accountability, Indigenous rights and climate commitments.” The leaders note that fast-track provisions in Bill C-5, alongside pressures from premiers for more pipelines – will mean more fossil fuel infrastructure. “Climate-driven hazards are already imposing health impacts,” write Grinspun and Dolkar as they note that wildfire smoke increases air pollution and that these events also have a serious impact on mental health. They urge Prime Minister Mark Carney to meet the commitments to Canada’s Paris Agreement targets to protect both the environment and Canadians. “Ontario’s nurses stand ready to work with the government and other partners to advance policies for a healthier, sustainable Canada.”

Another critical topic RNAO addresses is health human resources. On this, Grinspun and President-Elect Sue LeBeau spoke with media about a new study that tells us how many young nurses are leaving the profession and what needs to happen to retain them. The study commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and conducted by the Montreal Economic Institute found an exodus of 40 out of every 100 nurses who enter the profession in Canada, under the age of 35. In Ontario, the exodus is 38 out of 100. Grinspun told CTV News Channel (Oct. 22) that there needs to be more work done on retention and recruitment of nurses. “Retention is the best way to recruit. If people hear that people are leaving the profession, it becomes harder to recruit. Ontario’s efforts on the recruitment side are delivering outcomes as more students are applying to nursing school than ever”, stresses Grinspun. “The key is retaining them to build their careers in Ontario.” RNAO President-Elect Sue LeBeau spoke with Radio-Canada (Oct. 23) about the factors that cause mid-career nurses to leave the profession. “There are many factors but among others, the overtime never really stopped – even after the pandemic. The work environments are becoming increasingly dangerous, and the levels of stresses have also not decreased since the pandemic.” LeBeau also highlighted the unique experience of nurses working in Northern Ontario who often must take on extra work due to limited staff. “In the North, if we don’t have another profession, it’s the nurse who does the job,” said LeBeau. RNAO’s report, Nursing Career Pathways, highlights recommendations on how to retain nurses including increased compensation, increased staffing and support as well as full-time employment and mentorship.

RNAO’s Fall Tour began on Oct. 27 and allows RNAO’s executives to meet with members from across the province to discuss health, health care, and nursing. In Thunder Bay, Grinspun told TBnewswatch (Oct. 28) that coming from Toronto, she noticed a slower pace and more peaceful atmosphere. However, nurses in that community still face the same issues as their southern counterparts. “You see the same challenges with the shortages of nurses.” Grinspun also commented on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Thunder Bay, highlighting that she is delighted to see internationally-educated nurses (IEN) welcomed to the city. “You see more diversity in the public, more diversity in the profession. IENs are loving to come here,” Grinspun adds.

Wrapping up the month is a call to address the social determinants of health (SDOH), as the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville’s decision to pull funding from the Cooperative Care Centre (CCC), the only emergency shelter in Brockville. The site houses 25 people who are unhoused. RNAO is calling for officials to rethink their move. “I hope that we will see a reversal of the decision. It is a poor decision and it’s a damaging decision for many people,” as Grinspun cites in the Brockville Recorder and Times (Oct. 27). She also spoke with Global Kingston (Oct. 28) emphasizing that cutting funding to emergency shelters worsens homelessness and health outcomes.

RNAO will continue to speak out alongside its members on topics related to nursing, health, and health care. Stay up to date on media coverage by visiting RNAO in the news. If you’re interested in speaking with reporters, please complete a short survey. RNAO will provide training.