The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) and National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) welcome the plan announced today by Peggy Nash.

Midwives support announcement by Peggy Nash, MP and NDP leadership candidate

Montreal, February 23, 2012 – The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) and National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) welcome the plan announced today by Peggy Nash, MP for Parkdale—High Park and NDP leadership candidate. The plan will institute federal support for midwifery in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and expand the role of midwives in maternal and newborn health services at the federal level.“Every woman living in Canada deserves quality maternity care as close to home as possible” says Anne Wilson, President of the Canadian Association of Midwives. “We want a commitment from government to increase access to midwifery services through legislation and funding for midwifery care in all provinces and territories”.

“Infant and maternal mortality is 2 to 4 times greater in Aboriginal communities than non-Aboriginal communities” says Nathalie Pambrun, co-Chair of the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives. “Aboriginal midwives in every Aboriginal community will address this disparity”.

Evidence from around the world demonstrates that midwives are essential to improving the lives of mothers and babies. This plan recognizes the important role that midwives play in returning birth back to rural and remote communities and increasing maternal and newborn health outcomes.
About Midwifery in Canada

There are more than 1100 registered midwives in Canada. The Canadian Association of Midwives is the national organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Canada. The mission of CAM is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded and vital part of the primary maternity care system in all provinces and territories. CAM promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and contributes the midwifery perspective to the national health policy agenda.

The vision of the Canadian Association of Midwives is that midwifery is fundamental to maternal and newborn health services, and that every woman in Canada will have access to a midwife’s care for herself and her baby.

The National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) exists to promote excellence in reproductive health care for Inuit, First Nations, and Métis women. They advocate for the restoration of midwifery education, the provision of midwifery services, and choice of birthplace for all Aboriginal communities consistent with the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As active members of the Canadian Association of Midwives, they represent the professional development and practice needs of Aboriginal midwives to the responsible health authorities in Canada and the global community.

For more information about CAM/ACSF, visit our website at www.canadianmidwives.org .

For more information, or to set up interviews with midwives, please contact:

Tonia Occhionero, Executive Director
director@canadianmidwives.org Tel: 514-807-3668
Anne Wilson, President
president@canadianmidwives.org Tel: 514-807-3668