Health Critic Gord McNeilly calls on Government to bring a serious offer forward to PEI Nurses

The Official Opposition is calling on the Lantz government to act after the Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union walked away from collective bargaining on Friday, citing a lack of meaningful movement from Health PEI.

PEINU says the decision came after 32 days at the bargaining table without receiving meaningful formal counterproposals from the employer. Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners have been without a new collective agreement since March 31, 2025.

“When nurses reach the point where they no longer believe remaining at the table will be productive, the Premier and the Minister of Health need to take that seriously,” said Opposition Health Critic Gord McNeilly. “After 32 days of bargaining, nurses should not still be waiting for meaningful counterproposals on the issues that matter most to them.”

“These are not abstract bargaining issues. They affect whether PEI can recruit nurses, retain the experienced nurses already working here and provide Islanders with reliable care,” said McNeilly. “This government cannot claim that strengthening healthcare is its top priority while allowing negotiations with more than 1,600 frontline nurses to reach this point.”

The Official Opposition is calling on the Lantz government to bring forward a serious and respectful counterproposal that addresses nurses’ priorities and gives both parties a reason to return to the table.

“Nurses have continued showing up for Islanders under extraordinarily difficult conditions. They deserve to see the same commitment from their government,” said McNeilly. “The Premier and the Minister need to stop managing this from the sidelines, get a meaningful offer on the table and get these negotiations moving again.”