Practices... - Midwifery - Midwifery in Ontario

During the late 1970's, a small number of women began to educate themselves to be midwives. There was an increasing demand for this type of care and a few radical physicians supported this move. As interested increased over the next ten years, an apprentice program was started which included travel to other countries to educate others.

In 1983, a group of midwives and other members of the community met to form the Midwifery Task Force of Ontario. Their role was to promote the recognition of midwifery. About the same time, the Association of Ontario Midwives was formed in attempt to include midwifery into the health care system. This work continued until 1991 when the Midwifery Act was passed and on the last day of 1993 it was proclaimed. This made Ontario the first province in Canada to have midwifery as a regulated profession in the health care system. There are several provinces that have now legalized midwifery since 1993, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.