TORONTO, ON, December 9, 2024 – Angela Preocanin, long-serving registered nurse, and Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) provincial and Local leader for more than two decades, is announcing her retirement from ONA’s Board of Directors, and her position as First Vice-President, effective December 31, 2024. 

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, and serving ONA members has been a profound honour, but after a lot of soul searching, I know it is the right one,” says Angela. “I am retiring from the ONA Board after five years to prioritize work-life balance and refocus on my national position, a role that needs my full attention now more than ever.”

Angela also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), representing nurses and student nurses in nine provinces since 2023. Angela will remain in her national role with the full support of ONA’s Board of Directors.

“Angela will be missed greatly by our Board, staff, Local leaders, and of course many grassroots members,” says ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN.  “While this is a huge loss for ONA, we understand and fully support Angela’s desire for greater balance. We know she will remain a fierce fighter at the national level.”

Angela was acclaimed for a new term as ONA’s First-Vice President in November 2024. With this announcement, the union will be initiating a process for a by-election to fill the vacancy created by her departure.

“We look forward to fighting shoulder to shoulder with Angela against the threat of a Conservative federal government that would reverse hard-won progress on pharmacare, dental care and health-care staffing,” says Ariss.

“On behalf of ONA’s Board of Directors and our 68,000 members and 18,000 nursing student affiliates, we thank Angela for her service, her dedication, and her friendship.”

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

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