Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA)

The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) is a prominent trade union established in 1973, dedicated to defending the rights and advocating for the economic welfare and quality of work-life for nurses and allied health professionals in Ontario. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, ONA's mission is to empower its members to provide high-quality health care and to influence public policy for a stronger health system.

ONA provides a comprehensive suite of services to its members, including collective bargaining for wages, benefits, and working conditions, grievance processing, and legal assistance. The association also offers education and professional development opportunities, advocates for health and safety, and champions human rights and equity in the workplace. ONA represents nurses and allied health professionals across various sectors, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, community agencies, clinics, and industrial settings throughout Ontario.

As Canada's largest nurses' union, ONA represents over 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, alongside 18,000 nursing student affiliates. The organization is led by Provincial President Erin Ariss, First Vice-President Angela Preocanin, and CEO Andrea Kay. In recent news, ONA has been actively engaged in arbitration hearings with for-profit nursing home employers, advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions for its members. The association has also seen recent organizing successes, such as registered nurses at Fairview Mennonite Home voting to join ONA.