AOM Statement on Government Decision to Terminate Funding to the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO)

The AOM is deeply disappointed by the Ministry of Health's decision to terminate funding to the CMO.

As the CMO confirmed this morning in their notice to midwives, this loss of government funding will place an additional burden on midwives who must now support the work of the CMO through a likely increase in fees.

Midwifery is a highly gendered profession and like other female-dominated work, experiences a significant pay equity gap. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario confirmed this in their September ruling. The CMO was previously the only government funded regulatory college in Ontario. Government funding was an important equity measure for midwives as a small, female-dominated profession.

We will continue to work to ensure fairness and equity for our profession and for the Ontarians who benefit from our care. The AOM has already met with government representatives and expressed profound concern with the decision to terminate government funding to the CMO in this way and at this time. Representing and advocating for Ontario midwives is at the heart of what we do at the AOM and we'll continue to do so.

Read the latest about the Ontario midwives' landmark pay equity case at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.