On Emancipation Day, RNAO encourages all Canadians to acknowledge the history of slavery in Canada, celebrate its abolishment, and reflect on the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination. 

With its Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) and Black Nurses Leading Change interest group, RNAO continues to work alongside its members to end anti-Black racism and discrimination in the nursing profession. 

In February, the BNTF released its groundbreaking report, Acknowledging, Addressing and Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination Within the Nursing Profession. The report features 19 recommendations to tackle anti-Black racism within all practice settings, nursing organizations, regulatory bodies, associations and the broader health-care systems that are targeted towards and experienced by Black nurses. 

Ending systemic racism and all forms of discrimination in the health profession is necessary to solving the deepening health human resource crisis, and RNAO is determined to do so. 

To learn more about RNAO’s work and advocacy, explore the Black nurses and RNAO In Focus theme webpage.