Proud to stand up for public health care and proud to be Canadian! 

This message from UNA President Heather Smith is published in the Fall 2025 edition of the UNA NewsBulletin.

Due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, the delivery of printed copies of the quarterly UNA News Bulletin will be delayed. UNA stands in solidarity with Canada Post employees represented by CUPW in their fight for fairness and respect. As always, an electronic version of the News Bulletin is available on UNA’s website.

Proud to stand up for public health care and proud to be Canadian! 

Despite the wonderful weather we are experiencing, we know fall will soon be here and the “s” word we dare not speak will be upon us.

The future of public health care is on the minds of nurses and should be on the minds of Albertans. The provincial government’s decision to drastically restructure Alberta Health Services is creating confusion for Albertans and is a distraction for nurses wanting to focus on providing the best patient care possible.

It’s that focus on patient care that UNA had in mind when we launched our new advertising campaign, Alberta Needs Care. The new campaign focuses on capacity building in the public health care system. Nurses know that more capacity — more staff, more beds, and more hospitals — is what’s needed to ensure Albertans get the best patient care possible. UNA members will see campaign billboards across the province, hear radio ads on a station near you, and can find out more about the campaign at AlbertaNeedsCare.ca.

A threat to building that capacity is looming: the push by right-wing groups to separate Alberta from Canada. 

Separatism is something that nurses should be concerned about because it could have a drastic negative impact on the health care system we work in everyday.

Leaving Canada would cause incredible economic and financial turmoil for our families and communities and send a shock wave through our health care system. Alberta’s health care directly benefits from billions of dollars from the federal government and is protected by the principles of the Canada Health Act. Leaving Canada means federal funding would disappear along with the federal law that protects Alberta’s publicly-funded and publicly-operated health care system from becoming a victim of mass privatization.

Instead of tearing down what we have already built, we should be building capacity and working to build a stronger Canada. Increasing capacity also means drawing on the strengths of Canada’s publicly-funded and publicly-operated universal health care system.

We are proud Canadians and proud Albertans. Now is the time for nurses to speak up for capacity in our health care system and for Alberta’s place in Canada.

In Solidarity,


Heather Smith

President, United Nurses of Alberta 

Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?

The Forever Canadian campaign has launched a very straight-forward and yet important petition question: Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?

If the Forever Canadian petition collects enough valid signatures by October 28 then a province-wide referendum could be held asking Albertans if they want to remain in Canada.

The campaign is running through to October 28. Forever Canadian perfectly aligns with the strong unity statement passed unanimously by delegates at the Alberta Federation of Labour convention in April 2025.

Separatism is something that nurses should be concerned about because it could have a drastic negative impact on the health care system we work in everyday.

United Nurses of Alberta supporting the Forever Canadian initiative aligns with the objectives of UNA’s constitution: the advancement of the social, economic and general welfare of nurses and other allied personnel and the promotion of the highest standards of health care.

By opposing separation, UNA defends not only its members but also the principles of solidarity and fairness that define Canada’s labour movement.

Cuts to health care funding and losing the Canada Health Act

Leaving Canada would cause incredible economic and financial turmoil for our families and communities and would send a shock wave through our health care system. Alberta’s health care directly benefits from billions of dollars from the federal government and is protected by the principles of the Canada Health Act. Leaving Canada would mean federal funding would disappear along with the federal law that protects Alberta’s publicly-funded and publicly-operated health care system from becoming a victim of mass privatization.

Threats to pensions and retirement security 

Alberta’s potential withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan and economic turmoil that would damage the Local Authorities Pension Plan threatens the retirement security of UNA members. The CPP is a nationally managed, stable, and proven system that provides reliable benefits. Pulling workers out of the CPP and moving them into a new
Alberta Pension Plan would be riskier, with flawed projections and uncertain long-term sustainability. UNA members could face benefit reductions, higher administrative costs, and the inability to port the pension to other Canadian provinces.

Economic instabilityand job insecurity

Alberta’s economy benefits from being part of a larger national economy. Separation would disrupt trade, investment, and federal health funding, potentially leading to job losses and economic instability. For UNA members and their families, this could mean reduced job security, hiring freezes, and even layoffs, especially if provincial revenues decline due to transition costs and economic uncertainty.

Losing federal labour protections Alberta’s labour laws operate within the framework of federal standards and protections. Separation could lead to the erosion of workers’ rights, including employment insurance, workplace health & safety regulations, and fair wage policies. UNA members could lose crucial protections that are enforced nationally, leaving them vulnerable to weaker provincial laws.

Skyrocketing cost of living and inflation

Separation would introduce new costs, such as establishing a provincial currency, tax system, and regulatory bodies. These transition expenses could lead to higher taxes and inflation, eroding the wages and purchasing power of UNA members. For example,
the recent bargaining gains, such as wage increases, could be negated by rising living costs.

Slamming the door shut on job mobility

Canadian citizenship provides mobility rights, allowing nurses to work and retire anywhere in Canada. Separation would close the door on that movement, restrict job opportunities, and complicate nursing registration processes. This would particularly
impact members with families in other provinces or those seeking job opportunities outside of Alberta.

Weakening collective bargaining and worker rights

Alberta’s labour relations are governed by the Alberta Labour Relations Code, which aligns with federal principles. Separation could result in legislative changes that undermine collective bargaining, union certification, and the rights of workers to take job action. UNA’s ability to negotiate fair agreements, like the recent ratified contract with wage increases and benefits, could be compromised.

Severing connections to the national labour movement

Unions are stronger when they stand together across provincial lines. Separation would isolate Alberta nurses from national labour movements. UNA plays an important role in national organizations like the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, and provincial organizations like the Alberta Federation of Labour, to advocate for workers’ rights. Leaving Canada would fracture these alliances and weaken the voice of nurses in the labour movement.

Risking Indigenous & Treaty Rights

Unilateral separation would create legal chaos over treaty obligations and Indigenous land rights. Many First Nations may choose to remain part of Canada, leading to jurisdictional conflicts with serious social and legal consequences.

Petitions must be signed in-person. A list of petition signing locations can be found at https://www.forever-canadian.ca.