Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague from the Bloc to pay tribute to nurses on this International Nurses Day in National Nursing Week.
Since the days of Florence Nightingale the nursing profession has improved upon the knowledge base and standards of bedside nursing as well as expanding the nursing practices and principles into health care areas such as research, education, counselling and administration.
Nurses are the backbone of health care by participating in nearly all aspects of health and providing service seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Nurses continue to meet the challenge of providing their services with less funding. They extend the extra effort needed to help maintain the excellent nursing service standards we enjoy.
Let us on this occasion not only recognize the invaluable work of nurses but also pledge to take the necessary steps to solidify financing of health care in Canada.