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Political Action

CFNU is a national voice for nurses, campaigning to improve the working conditions for nurses and the quality of patient care. We take a strong stand to protect and enhance Canada's public health care system. CFNU also campaigns in solidarity with the Canadian Labour Congress and other organizations, such as the Canadian Health Coalition and the International Council of Nurses, to assist in advancing the rights of workers and women, in Canada and around the world.
 

What is new on Parliament Hill
Top of mind in Ottawa is once again the possibility of an election. The Afghan detainee issue has sparked a showdown between the House and the government that must be resolved within two weeks. Failure may mean an election. While nobody says they want an election, the question of whether a compromise can be reached remains unanswered.
On April 30, Paul Dewar, Member for Ottawa Centre rose to pay tribute to the community health and resource centres in Ottawa and across the land. He pointed out that the city of Ottawa has declared April 30 Community Health Day in Ottawa. Dewar said:

 "The people who work in our community health centres provide services to many people. They help strengthen our communities. Community health centres provide basic health services to citizens. They help new Canadians settle in our communities. They are leaders in preventive health care, such as nutrition, harm reduction and seniors' care. They understand the key determinants of health like affordable housing, maternal care and proper education for all. Their vision that everyone matters is a vision we should all share. I thank all of those who work in our community health centres. They make our communities stronger. They make our country stronger. Today we salute them."

The fate of the long gun registry remains in doubt. Recently the Liberal leader has declared that his entire party will support retention of the registry. The NDP which has insisted that it will not whip private members bills may be the key to this vote.
The debate over abortion and family planning has returned as the Conservatives insist on excluding choice from maternal health initiatives Canada will make before the G-8. Maternal health experts have long held that one third of maternal deaths related to pregnancy are caused by unsafe abortions.


Gun Control
CFNU is working with affiliates in the Canadian Labour Congress to stop a private member’s bill to dismantle the registration of rifles and shotguns in Canada. Gun control is a public safety, public health and women’s issue.
Get informed: read CFNU’s Position Statement on Gun Control.
Visit www.guncontrol.ca.
Get involved: send a letter to your MP.

Protect Medicare
Constant vigilance is required to ensure that our public health care system is universally accessible to all Canadians irrespective of wealth. Calls to allow private insurance and for-profit delivery of health care will get louder as governments look to reduce deficits. All evidence shows, when for-profit companies are involved, patients pay more and get less.
Get informed: visit medicare.ca and www.mybettermedicare.ca.
Get involved: join Nurses for Medicare.
Sign the Medicare pledge.
Join your provincial health coalition.

Retirement Security
CFNU is working with the Canadian Labour Congress to ensure retirement security for everyone. Pension plans and retirement savings have been hit hard by the recession. The number of Canadians retiring in poverty is alarming.
Get informed: visit www.canadianlabour.ca.
Get involved: become a fan on Facebook of Retirement Security for Everyone!

 

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