Ontario’s 65,000 Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) are a vital part of the province’s healthcare system. As the voice of the province’s RPNs, the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) is committed to working collaboratively with the government to develop evidence-based, sustainable solutions that strengthen and stabilize Ontario’s nursing workforce.
These dedicated professionals continue to face escalating pressures amid ongoing health human resource challenges. These pressures limit their ability to deliver the high-quality care Ontarians deserve and compromise the resilience of the health system. To effectively address these challenges and ensure long-term stability, it is critical to retain nurses already in the system and rapidly train and integrate those pursuing nursing studies and those trained abroad to help shore up the workforce.
To address mounting economic strains and escalating pressure on the health system—especially with an aging population—maintaining and strengthening Ontario’s healthcare workforce remains a foundational priority. While recent government investments have made a positive impact on recruitment, retention remains a pressing concern. Addressing the root causes driving RPNs out of the profession—including limited career growth opportunities, inadequate compensation, and insufficient staffing levels—must be a government priority.
WeRPN is calling on the Ontario government to include the following investments in the 2026 Ontario budget to strengthen RPN recruitment and retention and build a healthcare system ready to meet the needs of diverse patients and communities:
- Establish permanent funding for the Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing (BEGIN) and Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) programs, which are proven retention initiatives and strategic solutions to keeping the talent pipeline strong.
- Implement nurse-to-patient ratios as a proven measure to reduce burnout and elevate the quality of care patients receive.
- Harmonize wages to retain RPNs in key sectors, including long-term care and home and community care, while ensuring wages align with the cost of living.
Click here to view the full submission to the government.
Media Contact:
Name: Tiff Blair
Title: Chief Strategy Officer
WeRPN – The Registered Practica Nurses Association of Ontario
Phone: 647-267-5467
Email: tblair@werpn.com