SUN Members have several ways to influence priority issues. Connecting with your elected representatives is one of the most effective.

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 they represent, which involves not only spending more time in their constituency offices but also attending various 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 check your local MLA's social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more information about upcoming events in your area, or call your constituency office for further details.

Attending party events is an excellent opportunity to have your voice heard by asking the government to act on the Nursing Team Task Force.

Registered nurses are the province's largest direct care provider, 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.  The Nursing Team Task Force in Saskatchewan needs urgent action, and I would like to see it as your top priority:

Identify one key ask and include why it is important to you:

Ex. The government must support and fund the Task Force to improve retention and recruitment committees across the province. Without solutions that directly address problems in my area, I am afraid for patients already suffering from a lack of timely access to nursing care. This has a devastating impact on rural Saskatchewan.

 

Priority Asks:

  1. Make funding the Nursing Team Task Force for safe staffing and safe care your top priority. This must involve both funding and some decision-making ability to turn innovative solutions into practice. This can significantly improve retention and access to safe care in both rural and urban areas.

  2. Act now to commit to a provincial nursing retention and recruitment table - engage key stakeholders, such as SUN and direct care registered nurses, to find immediate solutions to the nursing crisis.

Ask politicians to commit publicly – especially before the fall legislative session. And ask them to follow up with you. Political representatives often support issues behind closed doors, but what they are willing to commit to publicly is the best way to determine whether they deserve your vote.

If you want to influence your representative most, contact your MLA's constituency office to schedule a meeting:

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

Personal Visit: A face-to-face visit is one of the most effective ways to influence your representative. 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 state 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 then as 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 affects 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 the 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, 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 individuals. Researching their roles, histories, personal values, and interests doesn't guarantee their support, but it does help to build common ground and connections.

 

Backgrounder on TaskForce Solutions - Evidence-Based Solutions to Support and Retain Nursing Team Members and Improve Patient Care:

Stabilize and Enhance the province's Nursing Team Resources, i.e.,

  • Fund and direct the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other relevant Employers to fill vacancies and hire additional nursing team members into newly created positions.

Collaborate with educational facilities to promote earn and learn opportunities.

  • Mentorship—Fund a dedicated mentorship program to support new nursing team members and retain late-career nursing team members.

Reduce Violence in Care Settings – Address the unacceptable levels of violence that nursing team members are experiencing in the workplace.

Investigate and implement appropriate Protective Services coverage for quick and effective intervention, as well as functional and up-to-date protective equipment and technologies.