Vote in the federal election! Nurses vote for a healthy recovery for all Canadians

Election Day is one week away, and advanced polls are already open.

Canadians go to the polls on Monday, Sept. 20.

Voting is a privilege and RNAO has consistently highlighted the importance of exercising one’s right to vote.

During each federal election, we also champion the health and health-care issues nurses believe must be front-and-centre when choosing which candidate or party to vote for.

RNAO released its policy platform on Aug. 20 with recommendations on access to health care, social determinants of health, environmental determinants of health and fiscal capacity. And we issued an Action Alert calling for a healthy recovery for all.

We also sent a questionnaire to each of the major parties for their input on RNAO’s 11 recommendations.

So far, we have received responses from the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada (listed here in the order they arrived). You can read the responses under each of the four areas of our platform.

We invite you to go through each topic area so you can inform yourself.

Elections matter, especially when it comes to the health of Canadians. But health isn’t just about health-care. Our economic, social and environmental circumstances affect our health.

These are important issues at stake in the election. Climate change must be addressed with urgency. It is vital to address the longstanding inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. Everybody has a right to housing, clean water and safe and dignified health care. The calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission must be implemented.

You don’t need to wait until Sept. 20 to vote – you can take advantage of the advance polls that are open this weekend.

Advance polls are open from Sept. 10 – Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Check your voter information card for details or go to elections.ca

In order to vote you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years of age and can prove your identity and address.

Sign RNAO’s Action Alert directed to the federal parties.