Media advisory - Canada's nurses demand protection of our country's health, environment and social support programs

VANCOUVER, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - A loud and clear message is being sent to the Conservative government today: stop cutting Canada's environmental, health and social systems. As more than 800 registered nurses (RNs) gather in Vancouver for the Canadian Nurses Association's (CNA) annual general meeting and biennial convention, action is being demanded to halt the systemic dismantling of income security programs, environmental protection measures and investments in health. Federal members of parliament and senators are being urged to stop these cuts, which are fundamentally irresponsible and damaging to the health and wellness of Canadians.

CNA declares that RNs will speak out against these cuts, and that the association will support its members to protect the integrity of essential programs and the health of our nation.

CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 146,788 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

Image with caption: "Registered nurses attending the Canadian Nurses Association's biennial convention add their names to a giant banner calling for the federal government to stop cuts to our nation's health, environment and social systems (CNW Group/CANADIAN NURSES ASSOCIATION)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120618_C2069_PHOTO_EN_15259.jpg

Image with caption: "Diane Milne, a Vancouver RN, adds her name to a growing list of nurses who are demanding that cuts to Canada's health, environment and social systems stop. More than 800 nurses are gathered in Vancouver for the Canadian Nurses Association's biennial convention (CNW Group/CANADIAN NURSES ASSOCIATION)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120618_C2069_PHOTO_EN_15261.jpg

or interview requests, please contact:

Kate Headley, External Communications Coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Telephone: [phone], ext. 561
Cell: 613-697-7507
E-mail: [email protected]