COVID-19 Advocacy

COVID-19 Advocacy

Federal

June 7, 2021 — CNA and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) wrote to [PDF, 151.5 KB] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal ministers regarding the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization.

June 3, 2021 — CNA submitted a written brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) regarding the impact of COVID-19 on seniors.

May 20, 2021 — CNA appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) to discuss Bill C-30 (Budget Implementation Act). At the appearance, CNA highlighted priorities and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as long-term care, mental health of health workers, and nursing shortages.

April 27, 2021 — The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN) wrote to the Prime Minister and all premiers across Canada urging their governments to accelerate action to support critical care nurses during these dire times of the COVID-19 third wave. Read the joint letter [PDF, 160.5 KB].

February 26, 2021 — CNA appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada’s vaccine rollout.

February 22, 2021 — In advance of the federal 2021 budget, CNA successfully concluded its first virtual lobby week where members of the board met with over 55 members of Parliament, ministers, and political staff to discuss CNA’s Recommendations for Budget 2021. These proposals will help address many health-care issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and improve the health of all people living in Canada.

December 1, 2020 — CNA appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as a witness during the committee’s pre-budget consultations in advance of Budget 2021. During its appearance, CNA discussed important issues such as the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term care sector, pandemic preparedness, and expanding virtual care.

November 19, 2020 – CNA’s Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) [PDF, 202.7 KB]: Briefing on the Emergency Situation Facing Canadians in Light of the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. November 2020

August 27, 2020 — “We are writing to you with recommendations as you develop a plan for Canada’s long-term recovery and the upcoming Speech from the Throne on September 23 . To establish a foundation for a stronger middle class, Canada must invest in a healthier and fairer society by addressing health-care system gaps that were unmasked by COVID-19. We firmly believe that the measures we are recommending are critical and should be part of your government’s long-term recovery plan.” Read a joint letter [PDF, 250.3 KB] to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

June 2, 2020 — CNA signed on to a letter from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Organizations for Health Action (HEAL) to the finance minister and the health minister with recommendations for new federal measures to support the financial hardships and risks posed to front-line health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 1, 2020 — “We are writing to you with recommendations for responding to the staggering effects COVID-19 has had on our health-care system, particularly in long-term care (LTC) homes across Canada. These recommendations were recently unveiled by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) on May 27 through a report entitled 2020 Vision: Improving Long-term Care for People in Canada [PDF, 979.9 KB]” Read a joint letter [PDF, 318.2 KB] to the Hon. Patricia Hajdu and the Hon. Deb Schulte.

May 2020 — CNA’s contributions to the House of Commons standing committee on health (HESA) and the Senate standing committee on social affairs, science and technology (SOCI) on the Canadian response to the outbreak of coronavirus:

March 23, 2020 — “We must ensure those working directly with the public, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers, are properly protected and supported, so that they can continue to play their role in the response.” Read a joint letter [PDF, 201.1 KB] to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s Premiers from CNA, the Canadian Association of Social Workers, the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

March 16, 2020 — “As the professional and union representatives of Canada’s nurses, the Canadian Nurses Association and Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions are with you, shoulder to shoulder, in this very tough public health emergency of international concern.” Read a joint letter [PDF, 127.9 KB] to the Hon. Patricia Hajdu and Dr. Theresa Tam.

Ontario

August 17, 2020 – “CNA strongly recommends that your government’s focus remains in fighting the pandemic. We urge extreme caution and strong protocols informed by public health advice to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to support physical distancing and other essential measures to prevent and detect transmission in schools. We recommend your government to considers increasing funding and implementing recommendations to Ontario’s plan to re-open schools from kindergarten to grade 12.“ Read a letter [PDF, 245.1 KB] from CNA to Minister of Education Hon. Stephen Lecce and Minister of Health Hon. Christine Elliot.

July 30, 2020 — “We are writing to you at this time to request that your government leverage Ontario’s robust nursing knowledge and leadership and consider appointing an additional commissioner who is a nurse and leader in long-term care to the Independent Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission.” Read a joint letter [PDF, 166.2 KB] to the government of Ontario from CNA, the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

March 17, 2020 — “With dedicated funds now in place, we ask that the government of Ontario act immediately to deploy resources to ensure that point-of-care nurses and other health professionals have access to the protective equipment they need to safely deliver care throughout this crisis.” Read a joint letter [PDF, 190.5 KB] to the government of Ontario from CNA, the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

Provinces and Territories

August 19, 2020 – “With the start of the school year approaching us, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses (CAPN), and the Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC) strongly recommend that your focus remain in fighting the pandemic. We urge extreme caution and strong protocols informed by public health advice to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to support physical distancing and other essential measures to prevent and detect transmission in schools.” Read a joint letter to Canada’s Premiers [PDF, 221.2 KB].