Midwives in Canada have fought long and hard to have their profession recognized. It was the 1990s before they achieved their goal of having midwifery become a regulated profession, in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. It is not yet regulated in the other Provinces and Territories, but efforts are still being made there; and you may still need to register with the regulatory body for the profession in those areas of the country, where one exists. New Brunswick has just regulated midwifery, and is still in the process of setting up and integrating midwifery as part of their health care system.
If you are an Internationally Educated Midwife who wishes to continue practicing your profession in Canada, these resources will help you achieve your goal.
All of Canada:
The Canadian Midwifery Regulators Consortium is a network of midwifery regulatory bodies in Canada. Their website has information about the regulation of midwifery in Canada, in English and French, with a special section for Internationally Educated Midwives.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials has information for Internationally Educated Midwives wishing to practice in Canada.
The Canadian Association of Midwives also offers links and information for Internationally Educated Midwives who want to bridge their qualifications and practice in Canada.
Ontario:
The Association of Ontario Midwives has a webpage with the steps needed for an internationally trained midwife to begin practicing in Ontario.
The Government of Ontario provides a Career Map, with details about Internationally Educated Midwives can bridge their qualifications and begin working in Ontario.
Ryerson University offers the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP), the only route to midwifery practice in Ontario for Internationally Educated Midwives. It is a 9-month part-time bridging program that includes skills assessments, information, mentoring, clinical placements and a final exam.
HealthForceOntario has information and can provide advisory services for Internationally Educated Midwives on the path toward practice.
The Ontario Midwives website includes support for Internationally Educated Midwives wishing to practice in Ontario.
British Columbia:
The College of Midwives of British Columbia offers programs, self-assessments and links for Internationally Educated Midwives wishing to practice in British Columbia.
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program has programs to help newcomers in BC find qualification-bridging programs, plan their careers, navigate the Canadian job market and connect with employment in their fields.
WelcomeBC has information for midwives wishing to participate in the Provincial Nominee Program. Midwives and other health care professionals are listed under “Strategic Occupations”.
Alberta:
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
The Alberta Association of Midwives has information about midwifery in Alberta, and links to the Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project (see above).
Directions for Immigrants provides information for Internationally Educated Midwives, but still details the PLEA program, which has been replaced by the Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project (see above).
Alberta Health and Wellness regulates the profession of midwifery in the Province.
Saskatchewan:
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Canada Immigration has an overview and career map with the steps to licensing for Internationally Educated Midwives.
The Saskatchewan College of Midwives provides information on how Internationally Educated Midwives can become licensed to practice in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health offers this application for a bursary (grant for payment or partial payment of tuition) for Internationally Educated Midwives accepted into the Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project (see above).
The Midwives Association of Saskatchewan is a professional association which links to the Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project (see above).
Manitoba:
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
The College of Midwives of Manitoba is the regulatory body for the profession of midwifery in the Province, with links and support for Internationally Educated Midwives who want to practice in Manitoba.
The Midwives Association of Manitoba is a professional association with information about a project under development called “Pathways to Midwifery”, at versity College of the North, for Internationally Educated Midwives wishing to practice in Manitoba.
Immigrate to Manitoba, Canada is a government immigration website with information for Internationally Educated Midwives wishing to practice in the Province.
Québec:
Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec is the regulatory body dedicated to the profession of midwifery in Quebec. Their website has information for Midwives educated outside of either Québec or France. Their website also features an evaluation tool. French only.
New Brunswick:
No Provincial resources currently available. See “All of Canada” for resources.
Prince Edward Island:
No Provincial resources currently available. See “All of Canada” for resources.
Nova Scotia:
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
The Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia is the governing body of the profession in the Province, and has resources for Internationally Educated Midwives.
Newfoundland and Labrador:
The Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador is a professional association promoting the profession in the Province.
Nunavut:
No Provincial resources currently available. See “All of Canada” for resources.
Northwest Territories:
The Multi-Jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Project is a program designed to help Internationally Educated Midwives meet registration requirements for practicing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.
