The College of Midwives of Ontario is responsible for governing the profession of midwifery in the public interest. Board Directors and committee members of the College make decisions that serve the public based on an understanding of the midwifery profession and the environments in which it is practised.
Professional Member Elections
Each year, the College holds online elections for professional member vacancies on the Board. These positions are filled by candidates who are registered midwives with the College.
Frequently Asked Questions – Elections
In accordance with the Midwifery Act, 1991, the Board is composed of at least seven and no more than eight professional elected members.
The number of vacancies on the Board vary each year and generally range from two to three vacancies. College registrants are informed of the number of vacancies in the call for nominations notice.
The College contacts all registrants by email to call for nominations at least ninety (90) days prior to “election day,” typically it is sent on or before April 1. Nomination forms must be returned to the College by the nominee within 60 days of the “election date.”
Terms of office of elected Professional Directors commence on the day of the first Board meeting after the election and continue for approximately three years as noted in the General By-law (s.5.04). The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 states that elected Board Directors may not serve for more than nine consecutive years.
The election process is outlined in the College’s General By-Law (s.5). The by-law refers to an “election day,” but the College allows registrants to vote online throughout the month of June each year. June 30 is referred to as the “election day” for the purposes of carrying out the College’s administrative procedures.
Any College registrant in good standing can run for election, with some restrictions as outlined in the College’s General By-Law (s.5).
We encourage all eligible registered midwives to apply, however, to suit our Board composition needs, we are particularly encouraging midwives from Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, marginalized communities, and rural communities, as well as midwives who are internationally educated, or practising in expanded, collaborative and/or community health team models to run for election.
The College’s General By-law includes all of the eligibility criteria and a detailed description of the process.
Please note, if elected, attendance is required for all Board meeting dates.
The practice of midwifery in Ontario is self-regulating, which means midwives are involved in determining the rules that govern the profession.
As a Board Director, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the profession by helping to ensure that the public interest is protected. Your role on the Board will be to act as the voice of clients and members of the public in Ontario.
Non-Board Committee Member Appointments
Committees are established by the College’s Board and perform functions assigned to them under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA).
Non-board committee members are appointed for one-year terms, up to a maximum of six consecutive terms. Both Professional and Public appointees are selected from applicants who wish to be considered for these positions.
Learn more about each of the College’s committees and time commitments below.
Committees & Time Commitments
The Client Relations Committee is mandated to ensure protection of the public interest by developing the policies and procedures of the College to prevent sexual abuse of clients and to define appropriate professional relations between College registrants and their clients.
- Number of meetings per year: 2
- Preparation time per meeting: 2 hours
- Attendance: 2-hour remote meetings
The Discipline Committee hears matters of professional misconduct or incompetence that are referred by a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee.
Note: Committee members do not participate in all panels.
- Number of meeting days per year: 2
- Number of training days: 1 training workshop
- Number of hearing days per year: dependent on College’s hearing caseload
- Preparation time per hearing:
- 0-4 hours for meetings
- 0 hours for hearings
- 2-6 hours (as required) for motions
Hearing Related
- Up to 1-day decision writing/review*
- Up to 1-day Deliberation time*
*May exceed one day and is dependent on length of hearing
- Attendance 1 half-day meeting (remote)
1/2 day of orientation (if required) - Contested hearings typically range from 2 days to 5 days (These may occur in person or remote)
The Fitness to Practise Committee conducts hearings of all allegations concerning a midwife’s capacity to practise midwifery that are referred by a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee.
Note: Committee members do not participate in all panels.
Number of meeting days per year: 1
Number of hearing days per year: dependent on hearing
Preparation time per meeting:
- 0-4 hours for meetings
- 0 hours for hearings
Attendance:
- 2 half-day meetings (remote)
- 1/2 day of orientation (if required)
- Contested hearings typically range from 3 days to 5 days
The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) oversees all investigations into midwives’ care and conduct, including formal complaints, mandatory reports, investigations, and inquiries into a midwife’s capacity to practise.
NOTE: Committee members do not participate in all panels.
Number of meeting & panel days per year: 12-18
Preparation time per meeting: 6-8 hours
Attendance:
- 2-4 half-day meetings (remote)
- 8-12 half-day panels (remote)
The Quality Assurance Committee develops, establishes, and maintains programs to promote continuing competence among midwives.
NOTE: Committee members do not participate in all panels.
Number of meeting & panel days per year: 4-6
Preparation time per meeting: 3-5 hours
Attendance:
- 2-3 half-day meetings (remote)
- 2-3 half-day panels (remote)
The Registration Committee ensures protection of the public interest by providing direction to the College with regards to the registration process of the College.
NOTE: Committee members do not participate in all panels.
Number of meeting & panel days per year: 12-15
Preparation time per meeting: 1-4 hours
Attendance:
- 3 half-day meetings (remote)
- 4-7 quarter-day panels (remote)
Compensation
The number of committee meetings and panels held per year varies depending on the committee.
Non-board committee members who are members of the public are compensated for their time, and reimbursed for their expenses at a rate comparable to Public Board Directors.
A summary of compensation and allowable expenses can be found in Schedule 1 of the College’s Fees & Remuneration By-law.
Frequently Asked Questions – Non-Board Committee Members
Public participation is important and necessary in fulfilling the public interest mandate of the College. Public members who serve on College committees bring their own knowledge and expertise to the decision-making process and regulatory work.
Professional participation of midwives is critical to ensure the perspectives of practising midwives are taken into consideration when making decisions about the regulation of midwifery.
Apply to Become a Non-Board Committee Member
The College accepts applications throughout the year. Positions are typically filled in December; however, there may be opportunities for mid-year appointments.
If you are interested in applying, please download the application package below.
Professional
Public
Once your application has been completed, submit it by email to cmo@cmo.on.ca.
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