Media Advisory - Former Governor General Michaëlle Jean to address Canadian nurses union leaders June 6 in Toronto

TORONTO, May 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Former Governor General Michaëlle Jean and renowned demographer David Foot will be among the speakers when more than 800 nurses from across Canada meet in Toronto June 4-7 at the biennial convention of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.

With the theme "Taking the Lead" and marking the 32^nd anniversary of CFNU, the convention is scheduled to begin with two days of education and training workshops at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Toronto's Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

Two days of formal CFNU business will follow, commencing at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, when Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will bring greetings to the conference participants, who represent nurses from across Canada.

Mme. Jean, who was Canada's Governor General from 2005 to 2010, will address a plenary session of the convention from 1:30 to 2:30 on the afternoon of Thursday, June 6.

Her remarks will be preceded that morning by the formal opening of the convention's business sessions at 8:30 a.m. and an address to the convention by CFNU President Linda Silas, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The conference session on Friday, June 7 will open at 8:30 a.m. with remarks by Conservative MP Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Health.

Foot, the PhD economist and demographer who was co-author in 1996 of Boom, Bust and Echo, How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Shift, will address delegates at their final session on Friday, June 7, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

In addition, conference delegates will take part in a rally for the expansion of mental health services organized by Partners for Mental Health, commencing at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5.

Education days are scheduled for June 4 and 5, with the business of the convention and keynote speakers following on June 6 and 7.

Media are welcome to attend open plenary sessions of the convention, which take place in the Metropolitan Ballroom of the Westin Harbour Castle. A full agenda will be posted on CFNU's website, www.cfnu.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions

Journalists who wish to arrange an interview with CFNU President Linda Silas or other conference participants should contact:

David Climenhaga, United Nurses of Alberta, 780-717-2943, [email protected]