https://www.cna-aiic.ca/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/07/31/affiliation-entre-aiic-et-arnm
(July 31, 2026) —Today, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) announced that ARNM has officially become an Organizational Affiliate of CNA, strengthening the national voice of Manitoba’s nurses and expanding the collective influence of nurses across Canada.
Through the affiliation, all ARNM members — registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, retired nurses, and nursing students — are now also CNA members, with easier access to CNA’s leadership programs, certification opportunities, and exclusive nursing resources and events.
This partnership marks a significant milestone, reflecting CNA’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and representation from all regions of Canada. It is a step forward in building a nursing community that advocates effectively at the national level and creates opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
“This affiliation ensures Manitoba’s nurses have a stronger, more unified voice at the national level,” said Dr. Valerie Grdisa, chief executive officer of CNA. “Manitoba nurses are doing vital work every day — this partnership means they now have a national association standing with them, with greater access to the tools, resources and advocacy they deserve.”
“ARNM members are already a powerful, unified voice for nursing in Manitoba. This affiliation reinforces that voice nationally — ensuring Manitoba’s nurses are at the table when decisions about the future of nursing and health care across Canada are being made,” said ARNM executive director Joyce Kristjansson.
The announcement comes ahead of CNA Conference 2026, being held in Winnipeg September 21–23. The conference coincides with ARNM’s annual general meeting — a coming together that is both literal and metaphorical: Manitoba’s nurses joining the national nursing community, and the national nursing community coming to Manitoba.
Manitoba joins Alberta — where the Alberta Association of Nurses became a CNA Organizational Affiliate in 2025 — as the second provincial nursing association to affiliate with CNA, reflecting growing momentum to strengthen the collective voice of nurses from coast to coast to coast.
This partnership reaffirms CNA’s dedication to bringing together nurses from all categories, sectors, and regions to advance the profession and shape the future of health care in Canada. Together, CNA and ARNM are building a stronger nursing community that will continue to make a profound impact on the health and well-being of people in Canada.
- 30 -
About the Canadian Nurses Association
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for nurses in all sectors and practice settings across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent unionized and non-unionized nurses, retired nurses, nursing students, and nurses across all four regulated designations: licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.
About the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba
The Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba is the professional association representing licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, graduate nurses, nursing students and former registered nurses in Manitoba.
For more information, please contact:
Kerri-Anne Finn
Media relations and communications coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Cell: 613-282-7859
Email: kfinn@cna-aiic.ca
Kahla Shea
Communications coordinator
Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Email: kshea@arnm.ca
#news-release