College of Midwives of Ontario

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Emergency Class Policy

Purpose 

This policy describes the circumstances when the College can issue Emergency class certificates. 

Scope  

The Emergency class of Certificates can be ordered by the government or by College Council. The following policy only makes reference to emergency circumstances declared by College Council or the Executive Committee. 

Policy Statement  

The College has a duty to regulate midwifery in the public interest and to assist with ensuring public safety. The College is one of the key players in safeguarding the supply of registered midwives in the event of emergencies.  

Under paragraph 1 of subsection 14.1(1) of the revised Registration Regulation1, the Government can request that the College begin issuing Emergency certificates of registration.  

The Emergency class provision also delegates the same authority to Council. In accordance with section 12(1) of the RHPA, the Executive Committee can also make this determination. In making this determination, the Council or Executive Committee may take into account all of the relevant circumstances including the presence of a significant interruption in the processing of applications for registration to meet an identified public interest need. 

Triggering Emergency Class 

For the Council or Executive Committee to trigger the Emergency class under the proposed Registration Regulation, it must be satisfied that all the following criteria be met:  

  1. There must be a current or imminent threat to provide supply of qualified midwives to service the needs of the public. 
  1. The public and/or the healthcare system is negatively impacted by these circumstances. 
  1. Immediate action is required to remedy the circumstances.  
  1. With the guidance of the Registration Committee, the Council or Executive Committee must be satisfied that all possible solutions have been exhausted and issuing certificates under the Emergency class is the best solution under the circumstances.  
  1. It would be in the public interest to trigger the Emergency class of certificate. 

The Council or Executive Committee must be satisfied that these criteria are met before determining that “it is in the public interest to register midwives in the Emergency class to address emergency circumstances” as stipulated in the proposed Registration Regulation. 

The College must take appropriate measure to inform the public of the emergency circumstances. 

Continuous assessment 

Once the Emergency class is in force, the Registration Committee will monitor the situation and provide regular updates to Council. An assessment of the emergency circumstances will be made at each Council or Executive Committee meeting, whichever event occurs first, while the Emergency class is in effect.  

Resolving an emergency 

If it is determined that the criteria set out above can no longer be met, the Registration Committee will recommend that the Council or Executive Committee pass a motion to direct the College to cease issuing Emergency certificates of registration. 

Pursuant to clause iv of subsection 14.1(4), all Emergency certificates of registration will be revoked 90 days after Council’s determination that the emergency circumstances have ended. 

References (legislative and other) 

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 

Ontario Regulation 508/22 

Proposed Registration Regulation, as submitted to the Ministry of Health on June 14, 2023 

Approved by: Council 

Approval date: June 27, 2023 

Implementation Date: September 1, 2023 (or when the emergency class comes into effect) 

Last reviewed and revised: n/a