TORONTO, ONTARIO — Filipino Canadian nurse Edsel Mutia has secured a leadership victory after being elected Vice President for Local 6 of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), Canada’s largest nursing union.
Mutia stepped forward to run out of a desire to directly address workplace conditions and amplify frontline healthcare workers' voices.
"Our voices matter. Our concerns matter. Our working conditions matter. And our future matters," Mutia stated. "Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about having the courage to listen, the commitment to speak up, and the determination to work together for positive change.”
“I believe that when we stand together, support one another, and refuse to remain silent when change is needed, we can make a difference," he added.
Following the announcement of election results, Mutia shared a heartfelt message of appreciation with his supporters on his social media account.
"With a thankful heart, I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the support, prayers, and encouragement. I am humbled by the trust and by the people who have spoken and shared their support," he said. "My hope and prayer is that, if given the opportunity, I can serve and help the members of ONA Local 6 with sincerity, compassion, and a heart to serve."
Mutia’s election comes at a time when internationally educated healthcare workers play a crucial role in Canada's medical infrastructure. Data from Statistics Canada indicates that over 44,000 individuals born in the Philippines work in nursing and health care support roles, forming the largest group of internationally educated nurses in the country.
“I want to listen. I want to advocate. I want to stand beside my fellow RNs. And most importantly, I want to help turn our voices into meaningful action,” Mutia said. “This is my moment to step forward. This is our moment to be heard. This is our opportunity to make a difference.”
Statistics from the Canadian Institute for Health Information show thousands of registered nurses currently practicing across Canadian provinces received their original degrees in the Philippines. Provinces including Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia continue to actively recruit hundreds of additional Filipino nurses to address ongoing staffing shortages in healthcare.
Representing 68,000 members, the Ontario Nurses’ Association stands as Canada’s largest nurses’ union. Founded over 50 years ago, ONA’s members deliver care across hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health units, community settings, clinics, and industry sectors throughout Ontario, advocating for safer and fairer workplaces.
