Eliminating public health jobs leaves “Canada dangerously unprepared,” says PIPSC president
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Federal government plans to cut hundreds of jobs at the Public Health Agency of Canada
“Eliminating public health positions while Canada’s healthcare system is already stretched to the breaking point leaves Canada dangerously unprepared for the next health crisis and puts lives at risk… These cuts will pile even more pressure onto the system, while stripping away vital programs that millions benefit from — from Lyme disease research and vaccination programs, to suicide crisis hotlines and chronic disease prevention,” said Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), following the announcement of 320 planned job cuts at the Public Health Agency of Canada, to CTV, September 4, 2025
Hospital workers oppose proposed ‘bubble zone’ bylaw that would restrict demonstrations outside hospitals
“This is our one opportunity to really advocate on behalf of our patients safely,” said Jamie-Lynne Hunt, a registered practical nurse and lead steward for CUPE 1502 to CTV, September 9, 2025
“They’re here to support the workers out of Ottawa that’ll be affected by this bylaw. Because it starts here, but it could eventually trickle down to other communities. And if we silence these workers, then in these communities, it’ll eventually impact the other smaller communities,” added Jodi Julius, a national staff representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
Ontario nurses join others calling for better nurse/patient ratios
“In other sectors that are dangerous, like fire and police, staffing ratios exist, and they exist to keep those workers safe . . . When was the last time you saw a fire truck rolling to an emergency that is dangerous with one firefighter in the truck?” said Erin Ariss, president of the Ontario Nurses Union, to The Globe and Mail, September 8, 2025
$29.9-million available from government to help personal support workers save for retirement
“(This initiative is) a major step forward for retirement inclusion and innovation in Canada,” emphasizing that homecare workers deserve the same financial security as hospital and nursing home staff,” said Tyler Downey, president of health care for Service Employees International Union (SEIU), to WestCentralOnline, September 4, 2025
Province to launch 24-hour police patrol of Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre
“A 24-7 police presence will give front-line staff, including nurses, the peace of mind they need to focus on delivering care to their patients,” said Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara to the Winnipeg Free Press, September 9, 2025, following the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) voting 94 percent in favour of “grey listing” Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. The “grey listing” advises current and prospective MNU members not to work at a facility because of unsafe or inappropriate conditions.
Coordinated leadership needed to fix the primary care
“There is a federal-provincial-territorial opportunity for health care transformation right now. With the federal government preparing its fall 2025 budget, there’s a unique window to rethink health care co-ordination. . .We need a different approach: beyond perpetually negotiating separate health care deals with each jurisdiction, Ottawa should insist upon pan-Canadian co-ordination among provinces and territories to actively participate with existing national health groups. . .This means: common quality standards that all jurisdictions adopt, so Canadians get consistent, high-quality care whether they live in Vancouver or Halifax; shared measurement systems that track what’s working and enable provinces and territories to learn from each other’s successes; co-ordinated support that helps jurisdictions implement proven solutions rather starting from scratch; focused research that builds evidence for what actually improves health outcomes and reduces costs; and strengthened federal-provincial-territorial primary care table with real authority to co-ordinate transformation across the country with an eye to ongoing improvement,” wrote Ivy Oandasan, a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, in The Hill Times, September 9, 2025
Black teens in Canada face barriers to mental health care access
“Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage and a critical period for onset of mental health problems,” wrote Mercedes Sobers, a PhD candidate in epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and research coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), in News Medical Life Sciences, September 9, 2025
“In Canada, Black adolescents disproportionately access services through crisis situations, such as justice system interactions or when intensive care is required, suggesting they are less likely to access mental health care until intense intervention is needed,“ said Sobers, author of a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Vaccination registry needed, says Ontario top doc
“Vaccine-preventable diseases are an ongoing threat that can and will re-emerge if we let our guard down. A recent outbreak of measles in Ontario has unfortunately highlighted how quickly previously controlled diseases can spread . . . Although routine vaccines have saved the lives of thousands of children, access remains uneven in some communities. At the same time, misinformation and vaccine fatigue continue to erode public trust in the safety and importance of immunization,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, CBC, September 4-5, 2025
