Canada is facing growing concern over the safety of nurses and healthcare professionals, as reports of threats and violence continue to rise in hospitals and health facilities across the province of Alberta. Nursing unions warn that such incidents are not an inherent part of the profession and represent a serious threat to both workforce wellbeing and the effectiveness of public healthcare delivery.
The United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) has publicly expressed alarm over the frequency of physical and verbal aggression directed at nurses in emergency departments, hospitals and long-term care settings. According to the organisation, a healthcare system cannot function effectively if its professionals are exposed to unsafe and unpredictable working conditions.
Workplace violence affecting care delivery
Healthcare leaders emphasise that the ability of nurses to provide safe and high-quality care is compromised when they are required to work in environments marked by instability or fear. Violence and intimidation not only affect individual staff members but also disrupt team coordination, increase absenteeism and contribute to workforce attrition.
In Alberta, many of these risks are linked to systemic pressures, including overcrowded emergency departments, staffing shortages and limited access to community-based care. Nursing representatives argue that strengthening system capacity—through increased staffing levels, expanded community services and additional inpatient beds—would reduce pressure on acute care settings and lower the likelihood of violent incidents.
Alarming prevalence of abuse in healthcare settings
Data from the UNA’s 2025 Annual Member Survey reveal the scale of the problem. Four in ten nurses in Alberta reported experiencing physical violence in the workplace, while six in ten indicated they had been subjected to non-physical aggression, such as threats or verbal abuse. These figures reflect a broader national pattern identified by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, which has described violence against nurses as a critical occupational health issue.
Despite the frequency of such incidents, healthcare unions believe that violence remains significantly underreported, limiting accountability and delaying preventive action.
Legal obligations and employer responsibility
Under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation, employers are legally required to provide safe workplaces and to educate staff on reporting health and safety risks, including the potential for workplace violence. Part 27 of the OHS Code mandates that employers develop and implement comprehensive violence and harassment prevention plans, outlining risk mitigation strategies as well as procedures for reporting and investigation.
Healthcare unions stress that every worker has the right to a respectful environment free from violence, and that failure to enforce existing legislation places both staff and patients at risk.
Union-led appeals for concrete policy measures
In response to the escalating situation, UNA representatives, alongside leaders from other provincial nursing unions, met with Alberta’s health ministers in October 2025 to urge decisive action. Their recommendations included targeted investment in staff training and violence prevention programmes, as well as mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to reduce risks associated with excessive workloads.
Additional proposals focused on stronger enforcement of the Criminal Code and occupational safety laws to deter violent behaviour, including penalties for employers who fail to address known risks. Infrastructure-based prevention measures—such as weapon detection systems, surveillance cameras and personal safety alarms—were also highlighted as necessary safeguards in high-risk settings.
Guidance for nurses facing immediate threats
Nurses in Alberta are advised to contact on-site Protective Services immediately if they face imminent danger, followed by notification of local police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Even when law enforcement is already involved, Protective Services are encouraged to remain present to ensure continued safety after police departure.
Healthcare workers are also reminded that they may request escorted access to their vehicles if they feel unsafe. Those employed outside provincial health agencies are advised to follow their employer’s security protocols and contact local law enforcement where necessary.
The importance of reporting and accountability
Union leaders continue to stress the importance of formally reporting incidents, injuries and near-misses through workplace reporting systems such as MySafetyNet, which enables documentation and follow-up on corrective actions. Nurses are also encouraged to submit reports through UNA’s occupational health and safety channels to ensure that concerns are escalated at organisational and policy levels.
Experts argue that accurate reporting is essential for identifying patterns, holding employers accountable and implementing effective prevention strategies.
A broader challenge for Canada’s health system
Violence against nurses is increasingly recognised as a systemic issue rather than isolated misconduct. Healthcare unions warn that without sustained investment, enforcement and cultural change, the problem will continue to erode workforce morale and patient safety.
As Canada grapples with growing demand for healthcare services, ensuring safe working environments for nurses is viewed as a fundamental prerequisite for maintaining a resilient and effective public health system—one in which violence and intimidation have no place.