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home / healthcare professionals / canadian nurses association unveils bold plan to strengthen healthcare nationwide

canadian nurses association unveils bold plan to strengthen healthcare nationwide

“nurses are central to transforming canada’s health system to achieve better patient outcomes, improved population health, and greater equity and value for canadians."

by karen hawthorne
published mar 26, 2025
last updated may 21, 2025
read time 2 minute read
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the canadian nurses association is calling for support from the federal government to make sure nurses across canada can maximize their potential and impact the healthcare system in more ways across the country. getty images
the canadian nurses association (cna) is advocating for changes to nursing practice and licensing to make the most of their expertise and impact. 
cna has released its federal election platform, a healthier canada, powered by nurses: a vision for 2025 and beyond, calling on all political parties to support and execute the building of a health system that is more sustainable, accessible and equitable by optimizing the nursing workforce. the platform is “nurse-led and data-driven” outlining a framework for change.
the cna, which represents 478,000 nurses in canada, highlights areas in need of immediate federal action including better integration of nurse practitioners in primary care and registered nurse prescribing, better recruitment and retention strategies for international and domestic nurses and a national licensing framework to allow nurses to have a greater impact across the country.
      “nurses are central to transforming canada’s health system to achieve better patient outcomes, improved population health, and greater equity and value for canadians,” dr. kimberly leblanc, cna president, said in a news release. “our platform provides clear, evidence-based actions that parties can adopt immediately to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.” 

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      the cna’s platform is built on five pillar priorities for federal action. these priorities are:
      improve access and quality by implementing policy levers. changing regulatory rules and federal laws to allow nurses to maximize their potential. this includes the development of national licensure, supporting ethical international recruitment and strengthening data-driven workforce planning.
      support the value of the nursing workforce to meet population health needs. expanding team-based and nurse-led models of care, alongside increased investments in nursing leadership, education and digital health, will achieve better outcomes at lower costs. this will help create a more responsive health system. 
      invest in the well-being of the health workforce and prioritize national workplace protections. protecting nurses from workplace violence, moral distress and mental health challenges is critical. cna is calling on the federal government to implement national workplace protections and mental health supports for nurses. 
      tackle social determinants of health and invest in planetary health. addressing environmental factors such as housing, food security and income stability, as well as reducing the health sector’s carbon footprint, is key to improving longterm health outcomes. nurses are critical partners in this work. 
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      strengthen our public health system and combat misinformation. strengthening pandemic preparedness, enhancing disease surveillance and investing in public health infrastructure will ensure that canada is ready for future health challenges. cna also calls for increased efforts to combat misinformation about health, particularly with nurses leading evidence-based public education campaigns. 
      “optimizing nurses’ roles not only improves patient outcomes and reduces costs but also ensures that the investments made in our highly qualified and skilled professionals are being fully realized and visible,” cna ceo dr. valerie grdisa said in the release. “targeted investments in nursing leadership, education and innovation are essential to creating a sustainable, resilient healthcare system for canadians.” 
      as leblanc added, “with $344 billion spent on health annually, canadians deserve a modern, agile and equitable health system.”  
      karen hawthorne
      karen hawthorne

      karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

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