On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), we are very pleased to endorse the following members of Team Ignite for election at the 2023 Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention: Laura Walton (CUPE) for OFL President; Ahmad Gaied (UFCW) for OFL Secretary-Treasurer, and Jackie Taylor (USW) for OFL Executive Vice-President.

ONA is the union representing 68,000 registered nurses (RNs) and health-care professionals, and more than 18,000 nursing student affiliates, who provide care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health units, community, industry and clinics.

We know that Team Ignite will support ONA and our health care union partners as we fight against the Ford government’s plan to further privatize health care.

We have seen that the Ford government’s attacks on collective bargaining rights under Bill 124 can be defeated when unions stand in solidarity. Team Ignite has the leadership skills and experience to continue to strengthen the labour movement in Ontario. Laura certainly demonstrated such leadership when she led 55,000 education workers on a two day strike in protest of the Ford government’s use of the notwithstanding clause.

We strongly support Team Ignite’s commitment to solidarity, organizing and member engagement. Their vision is one of a unified labour movement coupled with a commitment to build stronger partnerships with community coalitions. Such a vision is necessary in order to have success in electing a government that will protect the rights of workers and maintain our valued public services.

In solidarity,

ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION

Erin Ariss, RN
President