Safe Staffing Gets My Vote

SUN members have a number of ways to have influence on priority issues. Connecting with your elected representative is one of the most effective.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are starting to campaign in advance of the October 28th provincial election. Throughout the summer, your MLA will be particularly eager to speak with you – their constituents. Elected members of government and the official opposition use the summer months to speak with the people that they represent, which involves not only spending more time in their constituency offices, but also, attending a variety of community and campaign events.

Find events near you: Saskatchewan Party events: Events - Saskatchewan Party (saskparty.com) and New Democratic Party events: Attend an Event - Saskatchewan New Democrats (saskndp.ca)  Be sure to also check the social media account (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) of your local MLA to find more information about upcoming events in your area, or call your constituency office for further details.

This is an excellent opportunity to have your voice heard on prioritizing the nursing shortage and improving access to care. Respectful, evidence-based conversation is always welcomed by political representatives.

Registered nurses are the largest provider of direct care in the province, and patients regularly trust and rely upon you to speak up on their behalf.

Now, more than ever, your voice deserves to be heard. 

 

Potential Script:

Hi, my name is _____ and I live in town/area. I’m one of your constituents and I’m also a registered nurse.  Healthcare in Saskatchewan needs urgent action and I would like to see it as your top priority at election time:

Choose one key ask and include why it’s important to you:

Ex. Government must work with frontline registered nurses to create retention and recruitment committees across the province. Without solutions that directly address problems in my area, I am afraid for patients who are already suffering from lack timely access to nursing care. This has a devastating impact on rural Saskatchewan - more families continue to leave for better access to healthcare.

 

Priority Asks:

  1. Make safe patient care and safe staffing your top priority – this must involve timely access to safe registered nurse care in both rural and urban areas.

  2. Act now to develop a provincial nursing retention and recruitment table  - include key stakeholders like SUN and direct care registered nurses, to find immediate solutions to the nursing crisis.

  3. Commit to eliminating hallways beds – hallways beds are not a safe or dignified place for providing care to patients and should be significantly restricted/removed.
    *This was identified in the Capacity Action Plan but has yet to be enacted.

Ask politicians to commit publicly – especially prior to the fall election. And ask them to follow up with you. Often political representatives will support issues behind closed doors, but what they are willing to commit to publicly is the best determination of whether they deserve your vote.

If you would like to have a more in-depth conversation with your representative, contact your MLA’s constituency office to set up a meeting:

Find my constituency

Find my MLA

 

Tips for Contacting your Representatives

Other ways to communicate your point of view: a phone call, by email/letter, in-person meeting.

Personal Visit: One of the most effective ways to influence your representative is a face-to-face visit. Many legislators have offices within their area of representation and make time available for meetings with constituents.

Letters/Emails: These can be written to any MLA, but letters/emails from a constituent will have much greater influence. If you are a constituent, begin your letter/email by saying so. Make clear your position and state exactly what action you want your representative to take.

Phone Calls: When you call, you will likely be initially talking to a secretary or aide, identify yourself by name, address and hometown, and that you are a constituent. State your issue/request and ask that your call be returned.

 

Tips for Speaking With Your Representative:

  1. Introduce yourself first as their constituent and a registered nurse. Your MLA’s job is to hear from you and they are eager for your input.

  2. Be concise and fact based. Identify the issue and how it directly effects you and your patients.

  3. Be helpful. Try to anticipate questions your representative may ask, and if you don’t have the answer, commit to following up with their office.

  4. Bring solutions to solve important problems. By providing solutions to the issues government and the public care most about, your representative is more likely to listen and stay in touch.

  5. Be passionate and polite. Continue to speak respectfully whether you are speaking to your MLA or their staff. Remain courteous and even if you disagree with their position – and thank them for their time.

  6. Building relationships with decision makers is a process. It can mean formal meetings but also getting to know them as an individual. Researching their roles, histories, personal values, and interests, doesn’t guarantee their support, but it does help to build common ground and connection.