Thank you, Chair; and thank you to all the witnesses for a really interesting presentation.
I want to start with my friends from the B.C. Nurses' Union.
Ms. Gear, thank you for your presentation. I have a question for both you and Mr. Singh. I really appreciate what you have told us and the work that you're doing.
For example, I'm very impressed with the brochure, “Have You Experienced a Violent Incident at Work?”, which says in very clear terms, “Here's what to do”. I think it is empowering to the nurses who you represent.
Marilyn Gladu talked about her family member. I have a sister, Joyce Rankin, who's a nurse in Toronto, and she has told me about the increasing problem that you've all put your finger on. I don't think Canadians really understand.
Thanks for your anecdotes about Victoria, Kamloops and Prince George. I was particularly disturbed when you said that 40% of members in your survey might be considering leaving. My goodness, we have a shortage already. To think 40% might leave just because of violence is extremely sobering.
Before asking my question, I want to thank you as well for supporting my colleague Don Davies' private member's bill on the sentencing issue, although you were quick to say that criminalization is not the way to go but only part of the solution.
Here's my question to start.
Regarding your brochure that I referenced, about experiencing violence, I have two things I want to ask. First, you talk about calling the nurses' violence support line and you give a 1-800 number for that. Do you have any data on how many people are calling and what the implications of that have been? Has it been a good idea? Should other nurses' unions across the country or employers do a similar thing?
Then, as the final point on what to do, you say, “After a traumatic incident, you may benefit from a critical incident stress debriefing”. I want to hear what that critical incident stress debriefing entails.