May 26, 2026
St. JOHN’S, NL – Safe staffing is a concern in every community, and today’s Safe Staffing Saves MHA Breakfast showed strong recognition from all sides of the House that action is needed to protect patients, support nurses, and strengthen public healthcare.
The event, hosted by the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador, brought together MHAs from across the province for a focused discussion on safe staffing, nurse retention, and practical solutions to help stabilize healthcare services.
“Having representation from across our province and from all sides of the House matters,” said Yvette Coffey, President of RNU. “Safe staffing is not a partisan issue. It is a patient safety issue, a nurse retention issue, and a public healthcare issue. Every MHA represents patients, families, nurses, and communities affected when staffing is unsafe.”
The breakfast included presentations from nursing union leaders who shared safe staffing progress and lessons from other provinces. Presenters included Adriane Gear, President of the British Columbia Nurses’ Union; Darlene Jackson, President of the Manitoba Nurses Union; Janet Hazelton, President of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union; and Yvette Coffey, President of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador. The session was facilitated by Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, who also led a Q&A with the provincial nursing union presidents.
RNU welcomed comments from MHAs recognizing that nurse retention must be part of any real staffing solution. MHAs also discussed the need to identify safe staffing numbers for nurses and other healthcare professionals so patients can receive timely, safe care.
“We were encouraged to hear MHAs recognize that we cannot keep recruiting nurses into unsafe conditions and expect them to stay,” said Coffey. “Safe staffing means having the right number and mix of healthcare professionals to provide safe, quality care. It also means creating workplaces where nurses can stay, build their careers, and continue serving their communities.”
Following the presentations and Q&A, MHAs participated in roundtable discussions with RNU Board Members. These conversations focused on what safe staffing looks like in local communities, how RNU, government, employers, and elected officials can work together, and what actions MHAs can take to advance safe staffing in their districts.
MHAs were also invited to identify how they will work toward safe staffing for patients, nurses, and public healthcare in their communities.
“Today’s discussion was about moving from awareness to action,” said Coffey. “We appreciate the MHAs who came to the table, listened, asked questions, and shared how they can help move safe staffing forward. RNU will continue working with elected leaders from all parties to advance solutions that protect patients, support nurses, and strengthen public healthcare.”
RNU is calling for six practical, province-wide safe staffing solutions: public travel teams and travel locums; a comprehensive core staffing review; investment in nursing students; sustainable publicly funded NP-led care; meaningful retention incentives; and an independent health sector safety council. These solutions must be supported by safe staffing legislation, dedicated investment, and public accountability.
Safe staffing saves patients. Safe staffing saves nurses. Safe staffing saves healthcare.
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About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador represents over 6,000 registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and nurse practitioners across the province, advocating for quality health care, safe working conditions, and respect for the nursing profession.
Media Contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
Tel: (709) 691-6890
Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca
Attachment: “Safe Staffing Saves” One Pager