About CAM – Current Initiatives

The CAM Board of Directors finalized a five (5) year strategic plan for the Canadian Association of Midwives in November 2009.

Download our Strategic Directions 2010-2015 Brochure (PDF)

Goals and objectives include:

1. Increase the influence of midwifery on the national health policy agenda

• Advocate for the inclusion of midwifery in federal health policy and planning initiatives
• Promote and support the development of midwifery policy and position statements at a national level
• Strengthen alliances and advocacy strategies among midwifery associations, regulators, educators and consumer groups
• Strengthen strategic partnerships with national nursing and medical organizations

2. Advance the growth and development of the midwifery profession

• Advocate for midwifery regulation and public funding in unregulated provinces/ territories
• Support strategies in regulated provinces/territories to address midwifery human resource and development issues
• Develop CAM strategies to promote midwifery human resource planning at the federal government level
• Facilitate communication within the Canadian midwifery community on current midwifery developments and emerging issues
• Promote and provide opportunities for continuing midwifery education
• Provide a national forum for “visioning” the development of midwifery in Canada

3. Support Aboriginal midwifery and the return of birth to Aboriginal communities

• Promote the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) as the national voice for Aboriginal midwifery
• Provide appropriate administrative and organizational support for the autonomous development of the NACM under the CAM umbrella
• Advocate for the necessary regulatory, educational and policy structures to support the growth of Aboriginal midwifery and the return of birth to Aboriginal communities

4. Advocate for normal childbirth, the midwifery model and primary maternity care as close to home as possible

• Develop a CAM position statement on normal childbirth
• Promote public awareness of the role and expertise of midwives in facilitating normal pregnancy and childbirth
• Promote and uphold essential principles and practices that support normal birth and women’s confidence in the birthing process

5. Strengthen international partnerships and outreach

• Develop and promote CAM’s Ghislaine Francoeur Fund for midwifery capacity-building projects in low resource countries
• Establish a committee to expand CAM involvement in international midwifery work
• Pursue opportunities to work together with other national professional organizations on global maternal/newborn health issues
• Liaise with ICM, ACNM, MANA, Commonwealth and European midwifery colleges and other international organizations on issues of common concern

6. Strengthen the organizational capacity of CAM

• Review and update CAM’s governance framework, including committee structures, to ensure organizational effectiveness
• Secure increased funding to support CAM operations and projects
• Increase CAM capacity for political advocacy, policy development and public/media communication on new/emerging midwifery issues
• Facilitate broader involvement of midwife members, students and supporters in CAM activities and advocacy work