Tyler Downey

President at SEIU Healthcare Canada

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Last Thursday, the first-ever cohort of our SEIU Healthcare Training Centre’s Internationally Educated Nurses Career Pathway Program graduated.

Over 12 weeks, these nurses showed great determination - balancing long work hours, family responsibilities, and their commitment to building a future in Ontario’s healthcare system.

With more IENs set to join the program soon, the impact is only beginning. Ontario is facing a nursing shortage in the tens of thousands in the coming years, and these nurses will be a vital part of the solution.

This continues our new era of union-led innovation; strengthening healthcare across Canada and building a better future for workers, patients, residents, and families.

Congratulations to these incredible nurses!

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

SEIU Healthcare President @downeyty brought our members’ voices to the Home and Community Care Conference this afternoon as part of the “Building the Home Care Workforce Canada Needs: From Pressure to Sustainable Scale” panel.

Alongside leaders from across the sector, he made one thing clear: the people doing this work every day must be at the centre of the solutions.

Real change will take real collaboration. Workers, unions, employers, and government must come together to build a system that is stable, sustainable, and supports the people who keep it running.

When workers have the support they need to stay and grow, the entire home care system is stronger.

@SparkConfer

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

@JZerucelli @SEIUHealthCan Thank you @JZerucelli . I look forward to continuing to work with you and your government in my new role.

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

#ourunion

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

A union’s responsibility doesn’t end when the shift does.

This weekend, we thanked Ontario’s healthcare workers and their families with action, not words, sharing 25,000 turkeys at 40+ locations.

Because caring for those who care for us strengthens our communities.

https://t.co/yBzE5oceFP

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

@KielGiddens @SEIUHealthCan We appreciate the time you took to meet with us. I’m looking forward to learning more about the healthcare challenges in BC and continuing to share the positive impact our solutions are having in Ontario.

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Thank you for this it means a lot, especially coming from from your union who has built the most effective models of engagement in today’s labour movement.
At the end of the day, our strength comes from collaboration, shared purpose, and a commitment to delivering for the people we represent. When labour leaders lead that way, real change becomes possible. I appreciate the recognition @vcmancinelli

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Care can’t wait….

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

This morning our President @downeyty welcomed Brampton North—Caledon MP @rubysahotalib and Eglinton-Lawrence MP @vgasparro to hear directly from our members about how the $1,100 PSW Tax Credit will make a real difference in their lives.

The emotional stories of struggle shared by our members brought many in the room to tears, but they also highlighted the real hope that this tax credit can bring to PSWs and their families.

We are hopeful that parliamentarians from all parties will come together to pass Budget 2025 and the PSW Tax Credit - because care can’t wait.

[John Zerucelli @JZerucelli]

Our government is delivering for frontline workers like Jennifer. The new PSW tax credit in Budget 2025 helps recognize the incredible contributions of those who care for our most vulnerable.

Thank you @SEIUHealthCAN for your continued advocacy and partnership.

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Let’s get this budget passed in the coming days #cdnpoli

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Statement from SEIU Healthcare President @downeyty in response to today’s 2025 federal budget announcement:

“Canadians do not want an election. We call on all parliamentarians to be a stable force for good and ensure the swift passage of this budget because care can’t wait.

There’s a time to fight, and there’s a time to build – and now is the time to build. Budget 2025 will help build a stronger Canada by making life more affordable for 200,000 personal support workers (PSWs) through a new tax credit of up to $1,100 per year, backed by $1.5 billion over five years.

SEIU advocated for this, and Prime Minister @MarkJCarney’s government is delivering.

More money in the pockets of PSWs means more care workers at the bedside of Canada’s seniors, and a stronger, more resilient public healthcare system.”

https://t.co/lwaoe5Dl5l

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Let’s get this budget passed so support workers across Canada can get the tax credit. They need it!!
There’s a time to fight and there’s a time to build, now is the time to build. #passthebudget #supportworkers #union #canada
#healthcare #advocacy #cdnpoli

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Care can’t wait.

SEIU advocated for this. And Canada’s federal government is delivering in #Budget2025: $1,100 PSW Tax Credit.

✅Promise made. Promise kept.

@MarkJCarney @PattyHajdu @JZerucelli @FP_Champagne @downeyty

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

“When SEIU first called for this tax credit, we did so because personal support workers and care workers like them deserve to live with dignity and economic security. Putting more money directly into the pockets of PSWs will support retention and help strengthen care for Canada’s seniors. This budget announcement shows what’s possible when labour and government work together on ideas to make our healthcare system stronger by valuing the people who provide it. Prime Minister Carney promised PSWs this tax credit in the election and today he’s proving he’ll keep his promise to make their lives more affordable. The Personal Support Worker Tax Credit is a homerun for workers.” – SEIU Healthcare President @downeyty

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and share how our union is implementing solutions to various challenges in Healthcare. We are doing it by bringing industry, government and workers together. #cdnpoli #leadership #healthcare

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

This past weekend, our President @downeyty met with Prime Minister @MarkJCarney for a productive discussion on the state of healthcare in Canada.

They spoke about the real challenges healthcare workers are facing and how our union, THE Healthcare Union, is leading with innovative solutions through initiatives like our SEIU Healthcare Training Centre.

Prime Minister Carney was also invited to speak directly our members to hear firsthand what’s needed to strengthen care and support the workers who make it possible every day.

In this new era, through collaboration between government, labour, and industry, we are driving innovation, improving care, and ensuring healthcare workers are supported with the tools and recognition they deserve.

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

When our society faces challenges, it’s important to focus on solutions that deliver results and create lasting impact. That requires real investment.
Every day, the Skills Development Fund is making a difference. Through the WorkersFirst platform, SEIU workers are helping reduce reliance on costly staffing agencies and opening new training pathways for Nurses and Personal Support Workers. We’re proud to support this fund and recognize Minister David Piccini and the Ontario government for their commitment to developing tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.

#SDF #SkillsDevelopmentFund

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Great meeting with you. Looking forward to working with you!

[John Zerucelli @JZerucelli]

Every day, 65,000+ SEIU members in 🇨🇦 show up with skill, compassion & resilience saving lives, delivering essential care & strengthening our communities.

Grateful to @SEIUHealthCan President @downeyty for sharing your members’ priorities. Looking forward to working together!

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Let’s get to work! #CanadaStrong

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Congratulations Prime Minister @MarkJCarney on a successful election.

Canadians are anxious and need action now — that’s why our union looks forward to working with you to deliver on your commitments.

It’s time to get to work and build #CanadaStrong.

🇨🇦Healthcare needs…

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[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

#ourunion

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

As major corporations across North America retreat from their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), we’re stepping forward and are proud to become an Official Sponsor of Pride Toronto 2025.

“In a moment where too many companies are backing away, our union is stepping up,” said SEIU Healthcare President Tyler Downey. “Pride is more than a celebration - it’s a protest. The fight for workers’ rights is inseparable from the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. Our members know that real solidarity means action, not just words, and we call on other organizations to stand with us and increase their support.”

Read more: https://t.co/R8g5cBNQx5

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Happy International Women's Day!

Today, we pay tribute to all the strong women in our lives, and show our appreciation for the incredible women who represent SEIU Healthcare and build worker power every day. Women keep healthcare running—but we’re still underpaid, undervalued & overworked. This International Women's Day, we renew our commitments to fight for:

⚡️ Equal pay for women
⚡️ Safe & fair workplaces
⚡️ Affordable childcare & housing

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

SEIU Healthcare PSW Carla Sleep and I had a very positive and productive meeting with Ontario Minister of Labour @davidpiccini this morning, discussing our SEIU Healthcare Training Centre and WorkersFirst digital hiring hall platform.
By collaborating together with government and employers, we can create impactful solutions to improve our healthcare system and reduce the reliance on costly temp agencies. #healthcareinnovation #collaboration #solutions #seiu

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

@downeyty They told media it has been fixed.

It hasn’t.

We demand accountability for workers and seniors at Orchard Villa.

[Tyler Downey @downeyty]

Yes you read that right, WE (The union) had to provide this home with heaters so our members and the residents they care for there are not working and living in freezing temperatures #onpoli

[SEIU Healthcare @SEIUHealthCan]

Yesterday we delivered large space heaters to bring warmth and relief to kitchen staff left in freezing conditions by Southbridge’s Orchard Villa when the nursing home corporation failed to address an ongoing outage of the heating system. 

https://t.co/bQ4eDm2k1Z