To: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Hospital Association, Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), and relevant healthcare stakeholders

We, the undersigned, call for all nurses in Ontario — including Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) — to be represented under one union: the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA).

Nursing is the backbone of our healthcare system. Regardless of title, all nurses share the same commitment: to deliver safe, skilled, and compassionate care to patients and families. Yet, in Ontario, nurses are divided between unions. RPNs are often represented by alternative unions that lack the resources, bargaining power, and healthcare-specific expertise that ONA provides.

This separation creates inequity. RPNs and RNs perform complementary roles, often working side by side, but do not receive the same protections, respect, or fair negotiations. Fragmentation weakens our collective voice and undermines our ability to secure the gains, working conditions, and professional recognition that every nurse deserves.

We believe:

All nurses deserve equal access to strong representation.
Uniting under ONA ensures fairness, consistency, and solidarity.
A united nursing front will lead to safer staffing levels, better working conditions, and improved patient care across Ontario.
No nurse should feel undervalued or left behind because of which union they belong to.

We demand:

That the Ontario government and healthcare employers recognize the need for a unified nursing union under ONA.
That all RPNs be transitioned into ONA representation.
That collective agreements and negotiations reflect the respect, expertise, and critical contributions of every nurse, regardless of designation.
When nurses stand together, patients, families, and communities benefit. Unity is strength — and it is time for all nurses to share one voice.