Are you interested in how midwifery is regulated in Ontario?
The College of Midwives of Ontario regulates midwifery in the public interest. Members of the public work alongside registered midwives as decision-makers on the College’s Council and Committees, guiding our work.
We’re seeking members of the public to join our Committees.
Bring your knowledge and expertise to the College of Midwives of Ontario.
Application Form for Members of the Public
Submit your application by November 3 to be considered for this term.
What Does the College of Midwives of Ontario Do?
The College of Midwives of Ontario is responsible for regulating the profession of midwifery in the public interest. We protect client safety and regulate midwifery in the public interest. Midwives provide care in a variety of settings including homes, clinics, hospitals, and birth centres. All midwives follow the same professional principles and standards of practice. We provide guidance to help them do so.
The work of the College is directed by its Council which is composed of elected professional members and members of the public appointed by the Lieutenant Governor though the Public Appointments Secretariat. The work of the Council is supported by its committees in making regulatory decisions in the public interest.
Why Apply to Be a Non-Council Committee Member?
Public participation is important and necessary in fulfilling the public interest mandate of the College. Public members serving on College committees bring their own knowledge and expertise to the decision-making process and regulatory work.
What Do Committees Do?
Committees perform functions assigned to them under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and are established by the College’s Council. Non-Council committee members are appointed for one-year terms, up to a maximum of six consecutive terms.
The following College committees may have non-Council members:
The Client Relations Committee is mandated to ensure protection of the public interest by developing policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse of clients by members and to define appropriate professional relations between the members of the College and their clients. In addition, the Client Relations Committee administers the funding program for therapy and counselling for clients who make a complaint to the College about sexual abuse by members or are the subject of a Registrar’s investigation involving allegations of sexual abuse by members, at the time the allegation of sexual abuse is made.
When a midwife has been referred by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee because of the serious nature of the alleged professional misconduct and/or incompetence, the Discipline Committee holds a hearing. Discipline hearing panels are appointed from the Committee and must be composed of at least two public members of the Council of the College and at least one professional member of Council. The panel has a designated chairperson and is responsible for writing its own decisions.
The Fitness to Practise Committee considers cases of incapacity that are referred by the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee. The Fitness to Practise Committee consists of members of the public and the profession; Fitness to Practise panels are appointed from the Committee and must be composed of at least one public member. Fitness to Practise hearings are closed to the public unless the midwife who is alleged to be incapacitated requests that it be open to the public. The hearing requires the Fitness to Practise panel to make a finding on whether a person is incapacitated and if so, what order would be most appropriate.
The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee investigates public complaints and information that the College receives through mandatory and permissive reports regarding concerns related to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity. Based on this, the Committee decides whether the concerns warrant a referral to the Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committees, or if some other action would better serve the public interest.
The Quality Assurance Committee is mandated to ensure protection of the public interest by administering the Quality Assurance Program (QAP), including the peer and practice assessment program. The QAP is designed to assure that knowledge and professional judgment of midwives remains current throughout their professional careers and that they continue to provide safe and ethical care to their clients.
The Registration Committee is mandated to ensure protection of the public by recommending policies to Council, ensuring that registration policies and processes meet the standards of good regulation, and are transparent, objective, fair, and impartial. The Registration Committee also considers referrals of applications for initial registration, re-registration and class changes that do not meet the minimum requirements set out in the Registration Regulation. The Registration Committee has the power to direct the Registrar to issue, revoke, refuse or apply terms, conditions, and limitations to an application for registration.
The terms of reference of each committee can be found here.
Time Commitment and Compensation
The number of committee meetings and panels held per year varies depending on the committee. The time commitment of each committee is outlined here.
Non-Council members who are members of the public are compensated for their time and reimbursed for their expenses at a rate comparable to public members of the Council. A summary of compensation and allowable expenses can be found in Schedule 1 of the College’s Fees & Remuneration by-law found here.
In order to be eligible for appointment, applicants must meet the requirements set out in the by-laws (6.12).
Included in the requirements is the completion of the College’s Governance Education Modules (GEM). GEM is an online educational training program that introduces applicants to the regulation of midwifery in Ontario and the role of the College and its committees. Click here to access GEM.
Process for Applying and Joining a Committee
All applicants must fill out the required form and provide the information listed below.
After receiving applications, the Executive Committee of the Council recommends appointments to Council based on the selection criteria and identified areas of expertise in order to complement the collective competencies of any given committee.
The application form includes a checklist of competencies where applicants are able to self-identify relevant experience. Applicants are also encouraged to highlight in their letters of interest any characteristics, qualifications, or expertise relevant for consideration.
The College makes regulatory decisions in the public interest and is committed to diversity, accessibility and reducing barriers to participation in the governance work of the College. If you are an individual who identifies as a member of an equity-seeking group or may require accommodation to participate in Committee work, please include this information in your letter of interest.
Application Requirements for Members of the Public
Interested applicants can access the application forms here:
Application Form for Members of the Public
All applicants must submit the following:
- Letter of Interest
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Application Form
- Declared Conflict of Interest form
- Agreement to submit a Criminal Record Check upon offer of appointment.
Submit your application by November 3 to be considered for this term.
Any inquiries or requests for assistance regarding the application process or to submit an application, please contact the College at cmo@cmo.on.ca or by phone at 416-640-2252.
Joining a Committee as a Midwife
Registrants who wish to join one of the College’s Committees are welcome to apply. All information for midwives applying to join a College Committee can be found here.