Canada's nurses propose new health and social accord

CFNU president Linda Silas recently met with Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to discuss Canada's nurses’ ongoing work towards achieving the next Health and Social Accord.

“This was a productive meeting and I feel confident that this face-to-face with Minister Philpott signals a new era of governments and health care leaders working collaboratively to strengthen our public health care system into the future,” said Silas.

This meeting was scheduled to follow closely on the heels of the 2016 Federal Budget, which included details on engaging with provincial and territorial governments to renegotiate a new Health Accord.

During this meeting, CFNU presented recommendations to further expand the Health Accord to include a Social Accord.

Canada’s nurses are also calling on all levels of government to implement coordinated health human resources (HHR) planning and indigenous health strategies.

“In order to truly improve our Canadian health care system we must recognize that there are health inequalities that exist in Canada,” said Silas. “Every day people are forced to choose between feeding their families and filling their prescriptions. It is time once and for all to recognize the social determinants of health as federal, provincial and territorial governments move towards Accord negotiations.”

Canada’s nurses look forward to further positive meetings and follow up discussions with the Health Minister’s team in the months ahead.

CFNU President Linda Silas and Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott