UFCW Canada supports call for urgent action in healthcare sector

Toronto – October 13, 2020 – UFCW Canada is joining other progressive organizations by demanding urgent action in response to an investigate report on Canada’s management of COVID-19 and the challenges facing healthcare workers.

The report, called A Time of Fear, is the result of an independent investigation commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). The lead investigator and author of the report is Mario Possamai, who is the former senior advisor to the Ontario SARS Commission.

A Time of Fear details Canada’s systemic failure to adequately prepare and urgently respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The report exposes major flaws in Canada’s approach to public health, and some very concerning findings about the sector’s approach to worker safety in response to the pandemic.

The report makes 50 recommendations to improve worker and public safety and to enhance transparency and accountability. Among the recommendations are urgent measures to better ensure a precautionary approach in Canada’s pandemic response.

UFCW Canada represents thousands of healthcare workers across the country – working as Nurses, Homecare, and Personal Support Workers (PSWs), collectively serving many communities and dozens of retirement and nursing home facilities.