Ontario Nurses' Association

04/15/2026

Canada is still facing a persistent nursing shortage, driven in part by retention challenges, heavy workloads and excessive overtime. That’s why the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is asking the federal government to give nurses a tax break—and ONA is lending our support to this call!

To show your support for getting nurses the break they need, add your signature to the CFNU’s parliamentary petition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-7298

04/14/2026

We all have an important role to play in fostering the connection between our union and students studying to be health-care professionals. We must continue to fight for and give them a strong voice on the issues that matter most.

One of the ways that ONA supports these students is through scholarships and bursaries, like the Reese Fallon Memorial Scholarship. In this first part of an ongoing series, we meet Chaewon Kim—the most recent recipient of this scholarship—and hear her winning essay.

See the full story: https://onamag.org/fight/stories-from-the-streets/future-of-our-union-part-i/

04/14/2026

ONA has been at the forefront of the fight for equal pay for work of equal value for more than 30 years. Since the inception of Ontario’s Pay Equity Act in 1987, ONA has fought to achieve pay equity for its members.

First recognized in Ontario in 2014, Equal Pay Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap by highlighting that women must work longer than men to earn the same amount.

Equal Pay Day shifts each year, marking the date that an average woman would have to work into the new year to earn what an average man earned in the previous year. In 2026, Equal Pay Day in Ontario is Tuesday, April 14.

It’s important to remember that the pay gap is not just about gender and that the date chosen for Equal Pay Day is symbolic. The pay gap increases substantially when it intersects with other forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the significance of Equal Pay Day on our website: https://ona.org/news/equal-pay-day/

And be sure to follow Equal Pay Coalition - Ontario.

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04/13/2026

A key part of ONA's F-Word digital magazine is the Fight section, where you share your stories of your fight and solidarity in action.

In this piece, an ONA member shares how local leaders are trying to to improve working conditions, but they can't do it alone!

Read their story: https://onamag.org/fight/the-vent/fight-fight-fight/

And if you have a story you'd like to vent about, submit it to F-Word here: https://onamag.org/contact/

04/13/2026

REMINDER: This Thursday, April 16, is the FINAL deadline to submit your expression of interest in joining the Provincial Political Action Committee as a representative for ONA Region 3.

Find out more about this exciting opportunity and submit your expression of interest on our website (scroll down to "Provincial Political Action Committee") at https://ona.org/join-a-committee-or-team/board-committees/ . We only accept EOI submissions through our online form on the ONA website.

Submit your EOI by April 16, 2026!

Please note that this is a temporary replacement role to serve on the committee for the balance of 2026.

04/10/2026

Today is Indigenous Nurses Day! To help us all to better understand the significance of this day, we're thrilled to share this article submitted by ONA member Ursula Cote, BScN, RN, CNeoN(C), who is a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.

Read her article: https://onamag.org/fuse/rights/indigenous-nurses-day-2026/

04/10/2026

Indigenous Nurses Day is commemorated annually on April 10 to honour the contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis nurses, educators, and students across Canada. This date marks the birthday of Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture, a Kanien'kehá:ka woman and the first Indigenous Registered Nurse in Canada.

ONA proudly recognizes and celebrates this important day by acknowledging the leadership, expertise, and dedication of Indigenous nurses, educators, and students throughout Ontario. Their work continues to strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for communities.

Learn more about this important day: https://ona.org/news/indigenous-nurses-day/

04/09/2026

To ensure health care for all, Ontario must stop health care privatization and implement mandatory safe staffing ratios. Across the province ONA members are collecting petitions to show growing support for this demand.

Last week, the Ontario NDP read more than 1028 petitions into the Legislature, demanding that FordNation Sylvia Jones introduce nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in all health-care settings.

MPPs from all of Ontario’s opposition parties are in support of this call for staffing ratios, and it’s time for the conservative government to take action on this issue!

Learn more: https://ona.org/campaign/health-care-for-all/


Thank you France Gélinas, Lise Vaugeois, and Terence Kernaghan

04/09/2026

Following the release of the Sheri Price hospital arbitration decision last year, we reached out to ONA members about how they wanted to respond, and you told us that you're ready to push the envelope. To go out of your comfort zones. To light the fire.

To stand up for your constitutional right to strike.

In this piece, Erin Ariss, RN and ONA Provincial President, outlines where ONA's next battle will be in our drive to .

Read more: https://onamag.org/fuse/inside-ona/fight-with-erin-unstoppable/

04/08/2026

The Ontario Nurses’ Association stands in solidarity with the people of , and we demand a meaningful apology from Carney for his callous comment about a community member who is living with mercury poisoning. We also demand that he and take immediate action to free the First Nation communities of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong from the risk of mercury poisoning.

Be sure to click through to the website below to learn more about their fight!

Grassy Narrows chief wants Carney to apologize in person for comments about protester

“ Carneyshould apologize in person for insulting a mercury sufferer and meet with us about our urgent demands to fairly compensate our people and shut down the mill that continues to poison our people every day.” - Chief Sherry Ackabee of Grassy Narrows



https://freegrassy.net/news/grassy-narrows-chief-wants-carney-to-apologize-in-person-for-comments-about-protester/

04/08/2026

In recognition of Indigenous Nurses' Day, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions will be hosting a special webinar this Friday, April 10. Be sure to sign up today!

Three days to go! Join CFNU President Linda Silas on Indigenous Nurses Day for a live webinar with:
• Terri Monture, granddaughter of Edith Monture, the first documented Indigenous RN in Canada
• Dr. Laura Cranmer, Professor Emeritus of Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies at Vancouver Island University
• Christina Marie Chakanyuka (NWT Métis Nation)
• Nikki Rose Hunter-Porter (St’uxwtsews), RN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety, BC Cancer – Provincial

RSVP now to save your seat: https://tinyurl.com/mtayrfd4

04/08/2026

Are you interested in taking political action on nursing and health-care issues? We're looking for a member from ONA Region 3 to join the Provincial Political Action Committee.

Find out more about this exciting opportunity and submit your expression of interest on our website (scroll down to "Provincial Political Action Committee") at https://ona.org/join-a-committee-or-team/board-committees/ . We only accept EOI submissions through our online form on the ONA website.

The deadline to submit your EOI is April 16, 2026.

Please note that this is a temporary replacement role to serve on the committee for the balance of 2026.