Midwives call on the Minister of Health to implement mediator's recommendations as midwifery attrition reaches crisis level
Date: February 10, 2026
Media Release TORONTO: The Association of Ontario Midwives is calling on the Ministry of Health to implement recommendations made by an independent third-party Mediator to treat midwives comparably to other health professions—or risk losing them. In her report, the Mediator, Beverly Mathers, recommended that midwives receive similar redress provide to physicians, nurses and other public sector workers to make up for the province's unconstitutional compensation restraint legislation and policies, which capped compensation increases for public sector workers, including midwives, at 1% for three years during a period of high inflation.
Ontario Midwives president Althea Jones takes the stage at international symposium on Black reproductive justice
Date: July 7, 2025
President of the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) Althea Jones, RM, has been invited by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to speak at the Global Symposium for Bridging the Gap in Reproductive Health of Afro-Descendant Women, taking place July 8 to 11 in San José, Costa Rica. The invitation to participate serves as a powerful acknowledgement of Althea Jones’ leadership in of midwifery and reproductive justice in Ontario.
Midwives: Champions of gender equity
Date: September 13, 2024
Media release TORONTO: As Gender Equality Week approaches (Sep. 22-28, 2024), midwives stand proudly as champions for gender equity, including in health care. Through commitment to gender-inclusive, client-centered, pro-choice care, and tireless advocacy for pay equity, midwives are shaping a fu…
Midwives are there for Ontarians during labour: This Labour Day, support the work of midwives
Date: September 2, 2024
Media release
TORONTO: Midwives give babies and their families the best possible start – highly skilled care, excellent outcomes, the comprehensive information needed to make informed choices, and 24-7 access to care, support and encouragement in some of life’s most challenging momen…
Association of Ontario Midwives announces appointment of Juana Berinstein and Ellen Kanikatsitsa Blais as Co-CEOs
Date: August 21, 2024
Media release TORONTO: The Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) is proud to announce the appointment of Juana Berinstein and Ellen Kanikatsitsa Blais as the organization’s first-ever co-CEOs. This innovative leadership model reflects a commitment to governance that prioritizes a living Guswentha Two Row Wampum approach focused on righting relations to the original intentions of this treaty agreement with a focus on peace, friendship and respect.
Midwives infuriated: Health Minister’s recent announcement about prescribing restricts midwives
Date: October 30, 2023
Toronto, October 30, 2023: Midwives across the province are infuriated over the Ministry of Health's announcement that outdated rules regarding prescribing powers will not be updated. The rules hinder midwives from providing optimal care. The Ministry of Health is giving Ontarians until November 13 to provide feedback and midwives are asking Ontarians to speak out.
Althea Jones, President-Elect of Association of Ontario Midwives, bridging gaps in Black reproductive health
Date: September 12, 2023
Meda release Toronto: Jones is the driving force behind Ancestral Hands Midwives, a non-profit led by Black midwives that addresses reproductive health disparities. The midwives serve Black communities by providing respectful, racially concordant care. Jones is determined to tackle anti-Black racism in health head-on by focusing on increased access to midwifery among Black communities. “A key component of redressing systemic racism is representation—ensuring that Black individuals see themselves reflected in their care providers.”
Plan for health care unveiled today by Health Minister Sylvia Jones missing updates for midwifery
Date: February 2, 2023
TORONTO, February 2, 2023 – Ford government’s plan for health care, unveiled today by Health Minister Sylvia Jones, should include updates for midwifery to ensure Ontarians have access to the medication and tests they need from their midwives. The AOM is calling for Ontario to allow midwives access to all medication approved by Health Canada, within the scope of midwifery practice.
Midwives keep winning in the fight to close the gender pay gap
Date: June 13, 2022
Media release
TORONTO, June 13, 2022 – The Ontario government has lost a second legal appeal, this time with the highest court in the province. The Ontario Court of Appeal decision released June 13, 2022, resoundingly and without hesitation upholds the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontari…
Ellen Blais receives inaugural Layton Indigenous Leadership Award
Date: May 6, 2022
Ellen Blais, Indigenous midwife and Director of Indigenous Midwifery at the Association of Ontario Midwives, receives the inaugural Layton Indigenous Leadership Award in recognition of championing the reclamation of Indigenous midwifery.