This is a question that is coming up on social feeds as more people sign and share this important cause. Here's some information to help you educate others - feel free to leverage this content! 

Why should the government subsidize the CMO (College of Midwives of Ontario)? The government doesn't subsidize other Colleges.

It's extremely important that Colleges overseeing healthcare professionals are well-resourced to enforce standards and investigate complaints - people's lives depend on it in a way that for example a College of Patent and Trademark agents does not. Furthermore - the existence of the CMO is mandated by legislature for the protection of the public. It must exist to ensure any Registered Midwife is operating at a certain professional standard. All health care Colleges received government support until their base was large enough to support their operational needs. Here's some perspective for you... CNO (nurses) total budget is $35M funded 95% by 175,000 members whose fees are about $300 annually. The College of Midwives annual budget is $2.2M, funded 74% by member fees and there are JUST 910 midwives in Ontario... 910 who pay $2,000+ in annual fees. The College of Ontario Physicians is the only College with even comparable fee amounts and they make double or triple what midwives do. The end goal of course is for every College to be self-sustaining through member fees and the CMO was faithfully working towards that. But until the number of midwives is higher the $800K provided in operational grants from the government was extremely important to the College so that midwives can afford to practice. 

One last note to understand this cut move in the broader context it's happened. The big issues are the facts the grant is COMPLETELY cut, it's RETROACTIVE (College was informed in November that the cut is applied retroactively to April), and the fact they're STILL trying to get the government to come to the table to discuss remedies to the pay equity gap (which the Human Rights Tribunal ruled in the midwives' favour that there has been a lack of pay increase and contract negotiations due to gender-based discrimination.

Why are there only 910 midwives in Ontario? Seems like there should be more after 25 years....

Well it's definitely not for a lack of demand. Ontario women and families WANT more midwives as evidenced by long waitlists (and the amazing response to this petition). Unlike other health professions, midwifery is the only managed program. Their growth has therefore been much slower because of this. And, with costs of $2,000+ just to practice each year, AND a pay equity gap that the Human Rights Tribunal ruled was based on gender discrimination, there are a number of barriers prospective and current midwives face to get into and stay in the profession.

Well... everyone is going to complain about any kind of cut. This is just the sort of thing the government has to do. How does midwifery save on healthcare spending?

Actually no. Cuts in midwifery make no sense because their existence SAVES on healthcare spending. They are able to care for healthy pregnancies, births and post-natal care outside of more the expensive care options involving OBs. Research shows that when midwives are adequately part of a healthcare strategy, there are less interventions, less c-sections, less overnight stays at hospitals because of home births and early discharges, and overall healthier mothers and babies which overall saves on healthcare spending. Cuts to midwifery in Ontario simply does not make sense. We need more midwives so their College can be self-sustaining. We need more midwives so all women can have the choice to use one for their pregnancy and birth. We need more because it's what's best for Ontario.

Humpf. Still, I don't see why they government should have to pay for their College. 

Then perhaps you haven't fully read or comprehended the information laid before you. I encourage you to further educate yourself and speak to a midwife to understand the real problems they face and why these issues matter. 

Are all midwives women?

No. There is at least one Registered Midwife that is a man in Ontario. He's cool. "Midwife" means "with woman" - describing the profession as someone who is "with the women" during their time of pregnancy, birth and post-natal. It does not mean the midwife is a woman.

But obviously midwifery is one such profession that is dominated by women - which has factored into the ruling by the Human Rights Tribunal that the pay equity gap they face has a gender bias component. 

I voted for the Ford government and consider myself a conservative - is it sacrilegious for me to oppose these cuts and to want investments in midwifery?

No! In fact it's even more important that you let the leaders you supported know they are making a bad move. As a conservative I assume you care about efficiencies (which midwifery creates) and the healthcare of women and babies (because .... who doesn't?). Write your MPP and Christine Elliot to know that as a conservative, the right decision is to invest in midwifery.