Hundreds of nurses from across Canada set to take part in national nurses’ union conference in Calgary 

Monday, May 29, 2017 (CALGARY) – Hundreds of nurses from across Canada will take an afternoon “healthy walk” through the streets of downtown Calgary next Monday, June 5, marking the opening of the 2017 national convention of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. 

Later that evening at the opening reception, the CFNU National President, Linda Silas, will officially welcome delegates to Calgary. Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff will also address attendees that evening.

“CFNU members from everywhere in Canada are looking forward to visiting Calgary and seeing Canada’s dynamic West for themselves,” said national President Linda Silas, who will address the opening business day of the convention at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 8.

“Alberta nurses received a warm welcome at the last CFNU Biennium in Halifax two years ago, and we plan to return the favour with true Western hospitality,” said UNA President Heather Smith, who will open the business portion of the national convention at 8:30 a.m. on June 8.

The two days of CFNU business will be preceded by two days of education for delegates on June 6 and 7. More than 1,000 nurses from across Canada are expected to attend the national convention. At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 9, they will take part in a noisy rally for quality health care services in communities across Canada beginning at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre and ending at Olympic Plaza.

Keynote speaker for the biennial event will be Sir Robert Francis, the British medical law specialist who has played a prominent role in several regional and national inquiries into the quality of health care delivered by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. Sir Robert is scheduled to address delegates at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 9. His remarks will be open to the media and members of the public.

Media are invited to attend the opening and plenary sessions of the biennium’s business days on June 8, and both media and members of the public are welcome to attend Sir Robert’s important remarks on the morning of June 9.

Attendance at CFNU’s education days on June 6 and 7 will be restricted to accredited delegates.

For more information, please contact:

 

Emily Doer, Communications Officer, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, 613-807-1340

David Cournoyer, Communications Advisor, United Nurses of Alberta, 780-913-1563

David Climenhaga, Communications Advisor, United Nurses of Alberta, 780-717-2943