GNWT releases What We Heard Report for proposed midwifery profession regulations under the Health and Social Services Professions Act
Press Release
October 22, 2025
The What We Heard Report on proposed Midwifery Profession Regulations is now out. Between May 8 and June 12, 2025, midwives, Indigenous governments, partners, and the public were invited to share their feedback on the proposed changes.
The proposed regulations would transition the regulation of the midwifery profession from the Midwifery Profession Act to the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA). The “umbrella” Act is designed to create a modern, consistent framework for regulating health and social services professionals across the Northwest Territories.
Key proposed elements include:
- Expanding the scope of practice for midwives.
- Introducing multiple registration categories, such as General, Expanded, Student, Provincial, and Courtesy Registers.
- Creating a new registration pathway for Indigenous community-based education programs approved by the Minister.
- Updating continuing competency requirements to provide flexibility for midwives in non-clinical roles.
This engagement serves as an important step towards modernizing midwifery regulations and improving access to culturally safe, inclusive healthcare in the NWT. With the provided feedback, along with jurisdictional research and policy analysis, the GNWT will proceed with the appropriate steps to guide the development of the Midwifery Profession Regulations.
For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034
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