Date Published: 12 May 2009

Excellence in Health Care during National Nursing Week

To mark National Nursing Week, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, met today with nurses on duty at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

"I am proud to honour Canada's nurses during National Nursing Week 2009 for their dedicated contribution to our health-care system," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This year's theme, 'Nursing: You can't live without it!' emphasizes the vital and complex role nurses play in providing care to patients and their families and in responding to the health needs of Canadians across the country."

The Government of Canada recognizes that a sustainable nursing workforce is critical to health care and to improvements in timely access to that care. Health Canada recently provided $4.2 million to the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions to offer training and development opportunities for approximately 900 nurses and to develop recruitment and retention projects for more than 1,000 others.

The Government of Canada also recently announced $135 million for the construction and renovation of health services infrastructure to benefit First Nations on reserve, including health clinics and nurses' residences. Nurses working in First Nations and Inuit communities are key players in helping the Government of Canada deliver on its commitment to address the gap in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada. The commitment of nurses to improving the health and well-being of First Nations and Inuit patients enriches community health.

"Nurses touch the well-being of individuals every day. They advocate for health promotion and educate patients and the public on the prevention of illness and injury. Nurses provide front-line care, rehabilitation and, most importantly, support," added Minister Aglukkaq. "Whether Canadian nurses are working in hospitals, community centres, patients' homes, research centres, universities, nursing stations in remote Northern communities, or field hospitals in war-torn countries, we cannot live without them."

The Minister concluded by inviting all Canadians to join her in recognizing nurses for their invaluable contribution to the care of Canadians and in commending them for their knowledge, skills, judgement, compassion and dedication to their profession.

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