The Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Lori Singh as Chief Executive Officer of WeRPN effecitve June 29, 2026. Lori’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for the organization as we continue to strengthen our advocacy, elevate the voice of Registered Practical Nurses, and advance WeRPN’s mission across Ontario. This transition also marks an opportunity to recognize retiring CEO Dianne Martin, whose leadership and dedication for nearly 20 years have helped shape WeRPN into the strong and respected organization it is today.
WeRPN welcomes the introduction of the Healthcare Heroes Act by MPP Adil Shamji, which addresses several of the systemic challenges currently facing Ontario’s healthcare workforce, including registered practical nurses (RPNs).
The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) has released its 2026 State of Nursing in Ontario: The RPN Experience in Focus report, revealing that while some improvements have emerged in the nursing profession over the past year, Ontario’s nursing workforce continues to face significant strain that threatens both nurse well-being and patient care.
WeRPN’s submission to the College of Nurses of Ontario outlines concerns with proposed annual fee increases, including the compounding financial burden on RPNs, lack of transparency in a default increase model, and the need to consider workforce growth and economic conditions in future fee decisions.
While WeRPN appreciates the government’s efforts to recruit more nurses and invest in healthcare infrastructure, it remains essential to take further steps to address the retention of experienced nurses across the health system.
On March 20, 2026, WeRPN sent a letter to the Ontario government outlining concerns about recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and their impact on Practical Nurse (PN) students and the province’s healthcare workforce.
On Friday February 13, WeRPN sent a letter to the Ontario government congratulating them on the recent $30 million investment to expand the province’s primary care workforce, part of the broader $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan. In the letter, we emphasized the important role Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) can and should play as the province works toward connecting two million more Ontarians to primary care by 2029.
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.
The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) is raising serious concerns about the passage of Alberta’s Bill 13, the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act. WeRPN believes this legislation will compromise the fundamental ability of nursing regulators to protect the public by ensuring that nurses meet the highest standards of competence and clinical practice.
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2025 WeRPN Education Trust Fund (ETF) Bursary recipients! The ETF was created to provide financial support to practical nursing students, helping to alleviate some of the challenges they face during their academic journey. Each $1,000 bursary recognizes the dedication and commitment of these outstanding practical nursing students to the profession. WeRPN is proud to play a role in empowering students as they work toward their dreams.
