OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - The reprehensible assault of health workers in Halifax last week is a harsh reminder of the dangers health professionals across Canada face while trying to provide quality care to patients.
This latest example may be an extreme case, but the sad reality is that doctors, nurses and other health workers are subject to verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis. The results from the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) 2021 National Physician Health Survey found that eight in 10 physicians have experienced intimidation, bullying and/or harassment in the workplace at some point in their careers. Four in 10 reported that these experiences happen "frequently" or "often," with women significantly more likely to say they happen at least once a week.
A recent national review of workplace violence reports highlighted that incidents against nurses have become more severe and frequent in recent years, often resulting in physical and psychological harm. Legally, workplace violence is classified as both a health and safety issue and a criminal offense in Canada. In Alberta, reports of violent incidents in health-care settings surged by 37% between 2019 and 2021.
We also acknowledge that toxic online behaviour increasingly manifests in real life. With influential figures normalizing the use of threats and bullying, it is unsurprising that these behaviours are being echoed in health-care settings. But hospitals, medical clinics and other health care facilities simply can't tolerate this - people's health and lives are at stake.
In 2021, the federal government responded to calls for help from the CMA, the Canadian Nurses' Association (CNA) and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) with legislation that made it illegal to use threats and bullying to stop a health worker from providing care to patients. It also prohibits actions that would prevent a person from obtaining health services or accessing health facilities.
We urge the public to respect these laws and call on public safety and law enforcement officials to continue their vigilance in enforcing them.
Our thoughts are with the victims of the senseless assaults in Halifax and their families.
Dr. Joss Reimer
President, CMA
Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc
President, CNA
Linda Silas
President, CFNU
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing – guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.
About the CNA
CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all nurses in all sectors and practice settings across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent unionized and non-unionized nurses, retired nurses, nursing students, and all categories of nurses (licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses).
About the CFNU
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is Canada's largest nurses' organization, representing frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association
To schedule an interview or for further information, please contact: Canadian Medical Association, Elena Gabrysz, 514-839-7296, Eric Lewis, 506-566-1671, [email protected]; Canadian Nurses Association, Amber Morley, 613-282-7859, [email protected]; Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, Adella Khan, 613-807-2942, [email protected]
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