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Pillars: NURSING | HEALTH CARE | SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | FISCAL CAPACITY AND INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUALITY
Resources: Media release
The next federal election is upon us. Elections matter, especially when it comes to the health of Canadians. Nurses know that health extends far beyond health care. It is shaped by our economic, social and environmental circumstances. At the heart of this 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.
We invite you to share with others our recommendations.
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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
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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
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SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
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 2SLGBTQI+
6. SOCIAL MEDIA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
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regulate to reduce negative impacts on mental health, social cohesion and democracy
7. GUN CONTROL
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tackle gun violence and tighten gun control
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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
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FISCAL CAPACITY AND INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUALITY
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
