Nurses protest hospital understaffing crisis in Canada

TORONTO, CANADA — Members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) staged a symbolic “hospital understaffing graveyard” today outside the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) headquarters.
The demonstration, which included a mock funeral, was organized to draw attention to the critical understaffing of nurses and healthcare professionals in Ontario’s public hospitals.
The protest is part of ONA’s ongoing campaign to pressure hospital CEOs to address staffing shortages by implementing registered nurse (RN)-to-patient ratios. The union argues that these ratios are essential for recruiting and retaining healthcare staff and ensuring patients receive adequate care.
Nurses blame privatization for staffing shortages
“The understaffing crisis is intentional,” said Erin Ariss, Registered Nurse and Provincial President of ONA. “Hospital CEOs and the Ford Conservatives are working together to funnel our public money to private clinics that benefit their interests while public care suffers.”
Ariss warned that without mandated RN staffing ratios, public hospitals will continue to lose staff to the private sector, further exacerbating the crisis.
“Without RN staffing ratios, public hospitals will continue to lose staff to the private sector, making this crisis worse and timely care near impossible,” she added.
Service cuts and bed closures impact patient care
According to ONA, hospital CEOs have implemented service cuts and bed closures, leading to what they describe as the worst nurse-to-patient ratio in Canada. Nurses report that providing even basic patient care has become increasingly difficult due to chronic understaffing.
“We remember a time when public hospital staffing was better, when nurses and healthcare professionals had time to provide the care patients need and deserve,” Ariss said. “We know a different future is possible for public hospital care, and that starts with staffing ratios. Safe staffing saves lives.”
Union represents thousands of healthcare workers
The Ontario Nurses’ Association represents 68,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals across various sectors, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health units, and community clinics. Additionally, it supports 18,000 nursing students who are preparing to enter a workforce facing increasing challenges due to widespread understaffing.
ONA’s call for RN-to-patient ratios comes at a critical time as Ontario’s healthcare system continues to grapple with staff shortages amid rising patient demand. The union argues that without immediate action, the quality of patient care in public hospitals will continue to deteriorate.