Media Advisory - Midwives sue government over labour pains

News conference by Ontario Midwives to announce planned legal action

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) will hold a news conference on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. to announce the filing of a historic human rights application at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Speaking at the news conference will be AOM president, Lisa M. Weston; mother-daughter midwives, Mary Ann Leslie and Sarah Leslie; and lawyer Mary Cornish.

Cornish is an internationally recognized expert in human rights and pay equity.

The news conference will be held at The Midwives Collective of Toronto clinic, and will be simultaneously webcast at www.vvcnetwork.ca/aom/20131127. Journalists will be able to submit questions online.

Midwives, mothers and babies will be available for photos and comments.

No other regulated health profession in Ontario is as female-dominated or as systematically neglected as midwifery. Find out more at 10:00 a.m. on November 27.

WHO: Midwives, mothers and babies
WHAT: News conference and announcement
WHEN: Wednesday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Midwives Collective of Toronto, 344 Dupont Street, Suite 403
WHY: To announce legal action against the government

There are almost 700 registered midwives in Ontario, serving communities in 100 clinics across the province. Midwives have privileges at most Ontario hospitals. Since midwifery became a regulated health profession in 1994, 150,000 babies have been born under midwifery care.

Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy, birth and newborn care. Midwifery care is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Midwives are university educated, and trained in emergency management. Midwifery care is community-based and is rooted in the most current maternal and newborn care research and evidence.

SOURCE: Association of Ontario Midwives

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Juana Berinstein, AOM Director of Policy and Communications
416-425-9974 x.2229 or 1-866-418-3773 x.2229
416-371-1468 (mobile)
[email protected]

or

Joanna Zuk, AOM Communications Manager
416-425-9974 x.2261 or 1-866-418-3773 x.2261
416-704-7452 (mobile)
[email protected]

OntarioMidwives.ca
@ontariomidwives