Healthcare

Fifty-five front-line nurses and personal support workers at Ottawa's Bruyère Health are facing layoffs, according to their union. The organization is referring to the action as a 'redeployment process.'

The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre plans to eliminate 15 jobs at its long-term care facility (Royal Ottawa Place) and an additional 5 jobs elsewhere, affecting nurses and personal support workers. The union CUPE 942 warns the cuts will negatively impact care for patients with serious mental health issues, while the hospital disputes this and claims the staffing changes reflect regular business operations.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre announced the reduction of 40 positions, including front-line positions, prompting a protest outside MPP Vic Fedeli's constituency office. The cuts have raised concerns about quality of care and emergency room wait times, with supporters calling for increased hospital funding instead of workforce reductions.

Perley Health, a long-term care home in Ottawa, is cutting 52 positions including 39 unionized and 13 non-unionized roles, representing about six per cent of its workforce. The layoffs affect personal support workers, housekeeping, and kitchen staff, with workers and union representatives expressing concerns about potential impacts on the quality of care for residents.

Planned Parenthood Ottawa laid off all six front-line staff members due to a cash crisis caused by stagnating government and community grant funding combined with increased demand for services. The organization, which has operated in Ottawa since the 1960s, is now operating with only its executive director and volunteers while seeking additional grants expected in February.