Midwifery in Canada - Newfoundland & Labrador

Report submitted September 2008

The AMNL has 16 members, of whom 8 are CAM members. Midwives employed by the Grenfell Health Region who are licensed under their nursing registration are encouraged to join AMNL.

The activities of the AMNL are mainly focused on public education, public relations and lobbying the NL government for midwifery legislation. A member of AMNL, Mary Hodge and Kelly Monaghan, a member of our consumer-group partner, Friends of Midwifery, were interviewed about the current status of midwifery in NL on CBC Radio Crosstalk. There was a very good listener response.

The video “The Business of Birth” had a public screening in January sponsored by the Friends of Midwifery. There was a good attendance and a lot of interest was shown. A petition to the NL government for recognition of midwifery was at the screening for participants to sign. As well, the Friends of Midwifery had public screenings of two birth films in May.

In Corner Brook, the NL Premier’s constituency, over 1000 people, representing consumers, sent in short letters and “comments” to the Premier’s office requesting that the NL government implement the major recommendations of the Provincial Midwifery Implementation Committee that legislation for midwifery be introduced and the mechanisms put in place for midwifery practice as soon as possible.

The AMNL Newsletter, edited by Pearl Herbert, continues to be a very useful professional resource and provides members with updates on the status of midwifery in Canada.

Legislation and Registration
In spite of many supporters, including CEOs of the health care regions, other professionals, the Aboriginal Women’s Health Network and the general public, the NL government has not moved on introducing midwifery legislation. Lobbying continues. One of the Liberal MLAs, Yvonne Jones and the NDP MLA Lorraine Michaels issued press releases calling on the government to implement midwifery. The Status of Women Council is lending support.

Funding: N/A
Renumeration: N/A
Implementation/Expansion of midwifery: No
MEPs: No
PLA and Registration: No
Integration etc.: N/A

Contact Information
Karene Tweedie, President
Center for Nursing Studies
Room 1017, Southcott Hall
100 Forest Rd
St John’s NL A1E 1E5
AMNL website: www.ucs.mun.ca/~pherbert