FORT FRANCES, ON, August 11, 2025 – Nurses and health-care professionals working for Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre head to conciliation August 12 in an effort to reach a fair and respectful first collective agreement with their employer. The 36 Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) members held a strike vote prior to conciliation.
“Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre workers are registered nurses and health-care professionals -- including a registered dietician, respiratory therapist, mental health worker, and much more,” notes ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN. “These are highly educated, skilled and dedicated workers who provide essential care for Indigenous people of the southern Treaty 3 area in rural northwestern Ontario, including 10 First Nation communities, Métis and Inuit populations.
“These nurses and health-care professionals provide care for approximately 5,800 Indigenous people,” says Ariss. “They deliver a holistic model of care, integrating traditional healing with primary and preventative health care to some of the most vulnerable people in the region. They joined our union in order to have a stronger voice, to achieve more respectful wages comparable to other health-care providers, and to be able to advocate for fairness. It is imperative that they achieve the respectful, fair first collective agreement they deserve, without any disruption in services.”
Many Indigenous residents rely on Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre for their primary and urgent health care, including chronic disease management, pre- and post-natal care, immunizations and acute care. These workers also provide mental health and addiction support, and fill gaps in chronic disease management, particularly important as Indigenous communities in Treaty 3 face higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Diabetes education and chronic disease management help prevent complications and hospitalizations. Without these services, patients risk worsening health outcomes.
A work disruption would cause a further strain on local health-care systems – with already limited health-care services available in the Fort Frances area, wait times will increase and access to timely care will decrease. “We are optimistic that a fair and respectful first collective agreement can be reached this week,” says Ariss. “Access to the high-quality health-care services provided by our members is far too important to lose.”
ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
-30-
