My name is Laura Hanson and I am a nursing policy analyst with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). RNAO is the professional organization representing more than 30, 000 registered nurses who practice in all roles and sectors across Ontario. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in these public consultations.
As a Budget Committee, you are facing a choice. Will City Council apply creative remedies to the task of building a healthy city? Or will you impose restrictions and cuts that will negatively impact the well being of all of Toronto’s residents and will, within certain communities, have devastating consequences?
RNAO is speaking here today because nurses are acutely aware of the critical link between social and environmental conditions and health. We work in schools, hospitals, offices, shelters, long term care facilities, on the streets and in patients’ homes. Nurses hear and see the struggles that people, especially those on social assistance and in low-paying and precarious jobs, face to get basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, child care, recreation services and transportation.
