As families of the West Coast General Hospital Catchment Area (Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Dididaht, Nitnat Lake, Bamfield, Anacla etc., ) we are deeply concerned about the limited access to midwifery care in our communities. 

The Alberni- Clayoquat District is growing with many young families wanting to have and raise children on these beautiful lands. Families here have had to leave town for prenatal care due to long midwifery care waitlists or wanting a choice in midwifery provider. This is not just an inconvenience; it's a financial burden that affects our most vulnerable families. It impacts Indigenous families who want to birth on their territory, families with no funds for transportation, and families who have older siblings and can't leave town for their births due to costs and childcare.

Our rural area deserves better. We deserve choice in our midwifery healthcare providers and timely access to high quality prenatal care. The Island Health Department of Midwifery has a cap on the number of midwifery positions and privileges at West Coast General and is making decisions that affect our families and loved ones without consulting the community and Nations. We want this to change.  

Our lived experience proves there are not enough midwives practicing at West Coast General Hospital to meet our needs. This leaves many birthing people on waitlists and not able to access essential tests in time as they wait. Being waitlisted has resulted in pregnant people having complications that were preventable- increasing cost to the health care system and causing suffering during what should be a sacred and supported time of life. 

Midwifery has been proven as a safe and effective model of maternity care that reduces the rate of interventions while providing excellent outcomes for mothers, birthers and babies (source: Canadian Association of Midwives). Especially in our primary health care crisis and overburdened system, we need more midwives!

This petition calls upon Midwifery Department of Island Health to work with West Coast General Hospital to:

1) Hold public consultations with stakeholders in the West Coast catchment area regarding midwifery care access. We want Island Health to hear our stories and know how these decisions have impacted us.

b) Work with First Nations in West Coast General Hospital catchment regarding optimal access to midwifery care for remote community members, cultural safety and supporting NCIM's (National Council of Indigenous Midwives) call to bring #birthback via supporting Indigenous birthworkers

3) End  the cap on the number of positions for practicing midwives and clinic options in our communities so that every family can have access to this vital service with provider of their choice, without delay or added cost.

We believe all birthing families should have more access to midwifery care throughout their reproductive life and pregnancy journeys. We want choice!

Please sign this petition if you stand with us in demanding better midwifery healthcare options for Port Alberni families now!