ONA is the largest nurses’ union in Canada and prides itself on its beliefs, values and democracy. ONA is your Union.
This section includes a copy of ONA’s Constitution, Statement of Beliefs, organization charts and position statements.
ONA Constitution and Statement of Beliefs
Organizational Charts
Read ONA’s Position Statements
The Ontario Nurses’ Association has developed Position Statements on a number of topics facing the nursing profession today.
Accountability for Supporting Learners
Nurses are accountable for providing direction and sharing their knowledge and expertise to support learners who are transitioning into the profession, a new role or new practice area. As part of their regular duties, nurses may be required to supervise the activities of learners or may be assigned a formal mentorship role.
Anti-Racism
As the front line of health care in Ontario, ONA members understand that anti-Black racism, discrimination and hate have no place in health care or in broader society.
Continuing Education
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) supports the position that voluntary participation in continuing education enhances the professional accountability of nurses and health-care professionals. ONA recognizes the importance of continuing education to maintain competence and strengthen the quality of patient care.
Entry to Practice
It is imperative that previous and current experience of diploma-prepared RNs are acknowledged and recognized. ONA believes that the educational requirements for initial registration of baccalaureate-prepared RNs shall not affect the renewal of registration of diploma-prepared nurses. Credit should be attributed to an RN’s accumulated knowledge and experience, including both formal and informal education.
Hallway Nursing/ Hospital Overcapacity
ONA believes that health care employers must provide quality practice environments that allows nurses to care for patients according to established best practices and to meet the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standards.
Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace
In accordance with our Statement of Beliefs, the Ontario Nurses’ Association believes it is the right of all members to work in an environment that promotes dignity and respect for everyone.
Integration of Health Services
The integration of health services in any community raises some complex issues, both in employee relations and in health-care delivery. In keeping with ONA’s Statement of Beliefs, once the integration process has been declared, the preservation and enhancement of employee rights must be the primary focus. With this in mind, any form of integration must recognize longevity of service within the health-care industry.
Nursing and Primary Healthcare Reform
ONA believes that primary health care reform is urgently needed to address the problems Ontarians have in accessing health services.
Objection to Work Assignment for Religious/Conscientious Reasons
In accordance with the collective agreement and the Human Rights Code, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) supports the right of its members to object to work assignments for legitimate religious/conscientious reasons, and to be accommodated in the workplace. ONA will file grievances where members are forced to accept work assignments that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Peer Review
The Ontario Nurses’ Association believes performance appraisals/evaluations of employees are the responsibility and function of management. Grievances should be filed whenever ONA members are required to do performance appraisals of other employees.
Privatization
ONA has long held that health care should be delivered through publicly owned and not-for-profit organizations, under the guiding principles of the Canada Health Act. We believe that the proliferation of private, for-profit delivery of health care services is a threat to our cherished Medicare system and must be stopped.
The Duty to Report to RHPA
ONA believes that the labour relations context of communication between union representatives/members and ONA members is legally privileged information and therefore not disclosable to the member of the respective colleges.
The Image of Nurses
ONA is committed to advocating for the positive portrayal of nurses in advertising and media reflecting the nurse’s true value to the profession, the health-care system, and, most important of all, the patients, residents and clients.
The Unregulated Care Provider and Delegation of Activities
ONA supports the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) guideline documents, Authorizing Mechanisms and Working with Unregulated Care Providers. These guidelines provide clarity on when delegating is suitable, and how nurses remain accountable, during the delegation process.
The Regulated Health Professions Act, and the Nursing Act, 1991 specify the controlled acts all nurses are authorized to perform. Of these, only certain controlled acts in the legislation may be delegated to family members and/or UCPs.
