How did this ‘grassroots’ rebellion paralyse the Canadian capital? With funding from the far right and a boost from Facebook misinformation. The following is an article by Arwa Mahdawi published in UK’s The Guardian on Feb. 8.

Toronto, Feb. 8, 2022. In a groundbreaking report released today, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) unveiled recommendations to tackle structural racism within nursing organizations, regulatory bodies, associations and the broader health system.

This week RNAO celebrated Black History Month with the launch of the Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) final report. I invite you to visit RNAO’s In Focus webpage on Black Nurses and RNAO, which captures the comprehensive and challenging work that RNAO is doing, led by outstanding Black nursing leaders.

Welcome to my Thursday, February 10 blog. This week we share: 1) RNAO’s In Focus page on Black Nurses; 2) report calling for an end to anti-Black systemic racism and discrimination within the nursing profession; 3) the shocking siege of Ottawa by anti-mandate truckers and why the whole world should be terribly worried; and 4) whose freedom is the ‘freedom convoy’ fighting for anyway? Scroll down for upcoming RNAO webinars.

This variant may be less severe, but here's why we should remain vigilant. This column is an opinion from Dr. Cory Neudorf, an interim senior medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The article appeared in CBC.CA on January 18.

RNAO condemns the racist and extremist behaviour that unfolded in Ottawa led by far-right groups this weekend. Our association deeply believes in people’s rights to demonstrate peacefully and to express themselves in a democratic society. However, what we are witnessing is an event that started as a convoy of truckers but was hijacked by far-right groups using disinformation and preying on fears around a pandemic.

RNAO recognizes the continued importance of sharing stories and perspectives from the Black community and is celebrating Black History Month in February. This past year, RNAO has remained dedicated to its advocacy and work to bring awareness to and end anti-Black racism and discrimination, especially in the nursing profession. In partnership with its members, RNAO has made progress in addressing the systemic racism within nursing, as well as all health-care sectors and academic settings.

Welcome to my Wednesday, February 2 blog. This week we share: 1) honouring Black History Month 2022; 2) RNAO calls out extremist and hateful actions driven by far-right on display in Ottawa; and 3) let's not play Russian roulette with Omicron and embrace it as inevitable. Scroll down for upcoming RNAO webinars.