In 2007, the CNA conducted a nurses’ survey on environmental health (CNA 2008a). Results found that nurses lacked training tools for reducing or preventing health consequences of environmental hazards. That same year, the CNA organized six public focus groups across Canada, where Canadians identified air pollution, workplace chemicals, second-hand smoke and pesticides as environmental health issues. Participants also reported that nurses were very well respected and admired by the public, perceived as professional, knowledgeable and caring, and credible in providing information about environmental health (CNA 2008a).
Environment and health were then chosen as key themes of the CNA 2008 centennial celebrations with a view to intensify environmental involvement by and for nurses. The CNA received federal government funding to hire a manager to lead the project, and invited nurses across the country to join in this initiative focused on environmental health. The main goals of the project were to increase nurses’ awareness of environmental health issues and provide them with the tools and information they needed to support environmental health in the domains of nursing practice, education, research and policy.
At the end of the project, some members felt a strong need to continue to work on issues of advancing nursing in environmental health. First known as the Canadian Nursing Environmental Health Group (CNA n.d.) and subsequently Canadian Nurses for Health and the Environment, the organization’s foundation was set. Since then, this group of passionate, like-minded nurses from coast to coast across Canada has evolved into the very active association known today as the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE).
Our mission is to promote planetary health among nurses and people in Canada and globally.
We achieve this by engaging with advocacy, education, research, practice, and policy at all levels of nursing and society.
CANE achieves its mission through the following objectives:
The CANE Executive Board is composed of several dedicated, informed leaders from across Canada who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about planetary health, and its impacts on nursing, the health care system, and society at large (click on images to view more about each member)
If you have questions about CANE or would like to get in touch with us for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact us through the form below!
Canadian Nurses Association & Friends of the Earth (1995). Healing the sky: Strategies for health and
ozone layer protection. Ottawa: CNA.
Canadian Nurses Association (2009a). Nurses and Environmental Health.
https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/nurses-and-environmental-health-position-statement.pdf
Canadian Nurses Association & Canadian Medical Association (2009b). Toward an Environmentally
Responsible Canadian Health Sector. https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/jps_env_resp_e.pdf?la=en
Canadian Nurses Association. (2008a). Nurses and environmental health: Survey results.
https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/survey_results_e.pdf?la=en
Canadian Nurses Association (2008b). Climate Change Workshop Proceedings.
https://cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/climate_change_workshop_2008_e.pdf
Canadian Nurses Association (2008c). Environment Health and Nursing [PowerPoint Slides]. CNA.
Canadian Nurses Association (n.d.) Nursing and Environmental Health: Resources.
https://cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/environmental_handout_e.pdf
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