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Unifor members working in health care and social services gathered in Port Elgin for the 2025 Health Care/Social Services Conference under the theme Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus.
The conference, held Oct. 3 to 5, brought together front-line workers from across the country to share strategies, strengthen solidarity, and renew their commitment to fighting for better working conditions and a stronger public health care system.
Unifor National President, Lana Payne opened the conference with an urgent call to action to protect both workers and Canada’s public system.
“You don’t have a healthy economy without strong public health care,” said Payne. “That means more investment, not less. It means funding mental health, staffing, and accessible care because workers and patients deserve better.”
Throughout the weekend, delegates took part in a range of workshops and discussions—from bystander training and conflict resolution to health and safety sessions focused on cytotoxin exposure. Members also watched a new video highlighting Unifor’s 2025 Health Care and Social Services tour, emphasizing the ongoing need to push back against privatization and demand proper investment in public care.
On Saturday morning, Atlantic Regional Director, Jenn Murray, spoke about the courage of health care workers who continue to show up every day under difficult conditions.
“Respect looks like fair wages, safe working conditions, proper staffing levels, and a government that listens,” said Murray. “There is no universal health care without the workers who make that happen.”
Sunday’s closing session featured Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi, who led a conversation on political action and mobilization to strengthen public care and worker rights.
“We cannot solve the health care crisis without solving the staffing crisis,” said Hashi. “And we cannot solve the staffing crisis without addressing the realities facing workers—from funding and housing in the North to burnout and short staffing across every sector.”
As delegates departed, they carried with them a renewed energy and shared purpose: to keep building a fairer, safer, and more sustainable health care system for all.
View photos from the Health Care/Social Services Conference 2025 here.
