1. History of Regulation of Midwifery in Ontario
A convergence of factors & coinciding events that lead to regulation

2. Historically Women helping women birth
Community midwives trained by mothers & grandmothers
The Wise Woman
As colonization rose in Canada, there was a gradual decline of births attended by midwives due to a medicalization of health established by the European colonies

3. 1960’s From 1930’s-1960’s hospital births increased to almost 100%
Care was questionable
Women were sedated and neglected
Women were not involved in decision making

4. 1970’s Women wanted to reclaim birth
Consumers demanded woman centred care
Pushing for political change: Protests for abortion rights, anti-pornography and violence against women, and the charter involving women's rights
Lay midwives attend women with back up physician support
Nurse- midwives from other countries working in nursing roles but wanting midwifery
Both groups meeting separately, both wanting to advance midwifery

5. 1980’s
CPSO 1981 brought out a statement against home birth yet some physicians continued to support women & midwives
1981 Health Professions Legislative Review (HPLR) opens allowing consideration of new health professions for the Act
Ontario Midwifery Consumer Network formed in the early 1980s & grew to >3000 members and developed into the Midwifery Task Force of Ontario to support midwifery

6. 1980’s cont.
Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) conference 1983 added momentum
1984 Ontario Association of Midwives & Ontario Nurse Midwives Association united to form AOM and prepare a submission to HPLR
McMaster Pilot project: Hospital based Midwifery clinic

7. Toronto Island Inquest 1984
The birth and death of Daniel Harris on Toronto Island prompted a Coroner’s inquest
Recommendations:
Regulation
Education Program
Resuscitation equipment
Hospital privileges

8. Task Force on Implementation of Midwifery
Government appointed group who investigated the way in which midwifery would become regulated & integrated:
Karyn Kaufman: US Nurse Midwife PhD
Mary Eberts: Feminist Lawyer
Alan Schwartz : HPLR Lead
Rachel Edney: Family physician

9. The Task Force Recommendations:
Self-regulating profession independent of nursing or medicine
Own college and scope of practise
Practise as primary care givers both at home or in the hospital
More than one route to obtaining midwifery education and nursing is not a prerequisite

10. Dec 31st, 1993
Amended Health Professions Act passed to include Midwifery as a Legislated Health Profession