Federal election, future of health care to be the focus of the Halifax nurses' gathering

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getting ready for the 2015 Canadian federal election, which is scheduled to take place on October 19, will be the focus of the 17th Biennial Convention of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, starting Monday in Halifax.

With more than 1,000 nurses from across Canada expected to attend, the June 1-5 convention at the Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre will be among the largest gatherings of professional nurses in Canadian history. The 2015 convention theme is "We've got the power! Making a difference."

"Nurses are deeply concerned about the future of Canada's public health care system," said CFNU President Linda Silas. "So it is natural that we use this time together to develop strategies on how to ensure that what happens to health care is a top-of-mind issue for Canadian voters. Patient safety is our priority, and for that we need leadership at all levels, including the federal government."

Accordingly, Silas explained, many of the convention's educational workshops, which will take place on June 2 and 3, will emphasize political activism and public policy issues.

The final two days are devoted principally to CFNU business, but will also include remarks by National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians Maude Barlow, President of the Canadian Labour Congress Hassan Yussuff, and children's rights advocate Craig Kielburger.

Silas will formally address the convention on June 4, and Secretary Treasurer Pauline Worsfold will give her report on June 5.

The majority of conference participants are expected to take part in a public Rally for Health Care between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday June 5.

In addition to Silas and Worsfold, delegates will be joined by nursing union leaders from throughout Canada, including the presidents of most Canadian nurses' unions.

Media are welcome to attend open plenary sessions of the convention and the public rally on June 5. Registration opens at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1. A full convention agenda is posted on CFNU's website, www.cfnu.ca.

Journalists who wish to arrange an interview with CFNU President Linda Silas should contact Christie Blotnicky of the Nova Scotia Nurses Union, 902-818-4453, or by email at christie.blotnicky@nsnu.ca.  

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions represents close to 200,000 nurses and student nurses. Our members work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health care and our homes.