Excellent. Thank you very much for the question.
First, in terms of harmonization of scopes of practice across the country, I will give you a very resounding and enthusiastic yes. We totally believe that would be helpful in several ways. I mentioned the concept of mobility across the country. Several of the presentations today have echoed that. A harmonization of scopes of practice would enable nurses to more easily and more portably travel across the country to provide care where they are needed. That may also indirectly address some of the more geographically based shortages. As well, the notion of responding in an emergency situation would be helped by harmonization of scopes of practice.
It would certainly address the confusion that can appear in our health care system around the scope if we could all basically collaborate on understanding a single scope. I believe if we did that as a group of nursing organizations and providers, we could help our employers understand that scope and not be as concerned about imposing further restrictions, given their unique situations. So on your question with regard to harmonization, my answer is yes.
With regard to the HHR issues, there was some wonderful work done under the auspices of the federal government not that many years ago, the Canadian nursing study, the CNAC study, but also the nursing sector study. Basically I think what happens is that the health care system shifts. The needs of our patients, clients, and residents shift, and some of those predictions that we made didn't come true. The shift to care in the community is actually happening, but what has changed is that it's being provided by different groups of providers. In particular, unregulated providers are a key part of care in the community today as we help seniors age in place.
I suggest that HHR planning is still a somewhat moving target. We are understanding it better, I think, as we go forward. As for what to do to improve the shortages, again, it's a complex mix of employer practices as much as regulatory and association-type support.