Media Advisory - Hundreds of Nurses, Health-care Workers and Leaders to Hold Vigil to Commemorate Lives Impacted by Violence

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Nurses and health-care professionals, members of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), will hold a vigil at Nathan Phillips Square tomorrow to commemorate the many lives impacted by workplace, gender-based and intimate partner violence. 

"We are raising awareness about the shocking levels of violence in health care and acknowledging the real impact it has on survivors, friends and families, as well as on coworkers and communities," says ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN. "With understaffing and a lack of resources, our workplaces are pressure cookers where violence and harassment are only getting worse."

Hundreds of nurses and health-care professionals, in Toronto to attend ONA's Biennial Convention, are expected at the vigil. They will hear from ONA leaders and a number of guest speakers at the hour-long event at Nathan Phillips Square.

Ariss says that workplace violence happens daily, in every health-care setting. Gender-based violence has become an epidemic in Canada, and on average, one woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner every six days.

Who:	Hundreds of nurses and health-care professionals, ONA leaders and guest speakers
What:	Vigil to commemorate those impacted by workplace, gender-based and intimate partner violence and call for action
Where:	Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
When:	5:30 to 6:30 pm, November 4, 2025

ONA is the union representing over 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community, clinics, and industry.

SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association

For more information: [email protected]