Read our digital newsletter for information on how to stand for election to the College’s Board, summary information from the 2024 Professional Development Portfolio reporting cycle, updates for internationally educated midwives, Board highlights from our December meeting, and more!
2025 Notice of Elections
The College of Midwives of Ontario will be holding Board elections from April 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025, to fill three Professional Director positions. Each vacancy is for a three-year term. The next term will begin June 25, 2025.
The deadline to apply for nomination is February 28, 2025.
If you’re considering putting your name forward, read below to find out more.
International Midwifery Preregistration Bridging Program
In order to be registered in Ontario, all internationally educated midwives must first complete one of the College-approved bridging or assessment programs before applying. At their December meeting, the College’s Board approved a new pathway for internationally educated midwives to meet the registration requirements.
The International Midwifery Preregistration Bridging Program (IMPBP) is offered by the R. Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University. The program is structured around coursework, with mentorship and supportive activities to assist midwives in their transition to practice in Ontario. Designed to be completed within a six- or nine-month timeframe, the program offers flexibility with both online and hybrid course options. Upon completion of the coursework, candidates will engage in a 12–16-week clerkship with a midwifery practice.
The College of Midwives of Ontario is not involved in the application process for the IMPBP. If you have questions about the program, please see the IMPBP website and contact the staff listed there.
Board Highlights
At their December Board meeting, the College’s Board of Directors reviewed the new governance schedule, approved committee compositions for the 2024-25 year, approved a new pathway for internationally educated midwives to practise in Ontario, and more.
Registrar Report
College Registrar and CEO Kelly Dobbin prepares a report in advance of each Board Meeting. The purpose of the Registrar Report is to assure the Board that the College operates effectively and achieves its strategic goals, and that the Registrar performs per the expected duties outlined in the Board’s Governance Policies.
Regulatory Performance Measurement Framework 2023-24
The College’s Regulatory Performance Measurement Framework report provides the results of our 2023-24 review where we assessed our performance against set standards as approved by our Board in June 2019.
This year’s review resulted in the College meeting 19 of 20 standards with one standard partially met. The results demonstrate our ongoing commitment to regulatory excellence and give us the opportunity to identify improvement opportunities.
Professional Development Portfolio
The first reporting cycle of the College of Midwives of Ontario’s Professional Development Portfolio program is now complete!
Overall, 91% of midwives required to report were marked compliant upon renewal.
The College would like to congratulate all midwives who were part of the first PDP reporting cycle in 2024. Our Quality Assurance Program is one of the ways that the College partners with registrants to ensure Ontarians who choose midwifery care can expect skilled, safe, and ethical care. We thank midwives for demonstrating their commitment to professional development, and their dedication to continuous learning; maintaining and enhancing their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
We also thank the midwives who shared their feedback on the first reporting cycle. We are continuing to evaluate the new program and will share any updates on reporting for future years.
Presentation to TMU Students
In November 2024, College staff were pleased to attend a first-year midwifery class at Toronto Metropolitan University. We shared information about the College, scope of practise, and Ontario’s system of health regulation. We’d like to extend our thanks to TMU midwifery students and faculty for being so engaged with the presentation and for your thoughtful questions.
Our Student Engagement Strategy includes classroom visits for midwifery students, and we are happy to be invited to speak on any regulatory concepts.
Black History Month
During Black History Month and beyond, the College of Midwives of Ontario reflects on the rich history and the profound impact Black midwives have had on maternal health and reproductive justice, both historically and today.
The history of Black midwives in Canada should never be forgotten, and while much of it has been erased, there are many initiatives rediscovering their legacies and celebrating their enduring impact.
We would like to amplify two of these initiatives today:
Colour of Birth, produced by the Canadian Midwives of Colour History Project (CMOC), is a multimedia experience exploring and documenting the history of Canada’s earliest, racialized, immigrant midwives and their communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Learn More: Ontario Midwifery – a project inspired by Black communities, birthing people, children, midwives, and midwifery students – presents public information about midwifery care in Ontario with the aim of increasing public awareness about midwifery care across Black communities.
Wishing a very happy Lunar New Year to all celebrating and welcoming the Year of the Snake.
Resource Reshare:
Mandatory Reporting Reference Tool for Midwives
When must midwives make mandatory reports? This chart outlines common reporting scenarios, and provides information about when, how, and what information to include when making a report.
New Social Media Account
The College of Midwives of Ontario has a new social media account on Bluesky which you can follow here.