In 1987 the Canadian Confederation of Midwives/Confederation
Canadienne des Sage-Femmes (CCM/CCSF) was formed to:

     1.   Promote the right of every woman to midwifery care;

     2.   Promote the implementation of midwifery legislation in
          each province and territory;

     3.   Coordinate communication amongst professional midwives'
          associations across Canada;

     4.   Represent Canadian midwives.

     Midwife was defined as in the International Definition of a Midwife.

     The Coordinators for CCM were from Midwives Associations
in Alberta (1987/1989); Quebec (1989/1991); Ontario (1991/1993);
Newfoundland and Labrador (1993/1995; 1995/1997); Alberta (1997/1999); 
Ontario (1999/2001). CAM was formed in 2000.

     The Presidents for CAM were from Midwives association in British 
Columbia(2001/2004); Prince Edward Island (2004); Manitoba (2004/2005); 
Nova Scotia (2005/2008); North West Territories (2008/2010); Ontario 
(2011 and 2012); British Columbia (2013 and 2014).

     Several national organizations invited a CCM/CCSF midwife
to be a member of their committees, including  a midwife on the SOGC
council.

     Since the CCM/CCSF was formed there have been many changes in
Canada regarding the recognition of midwives as autonomous primary health
care providers. Midwifery legislation has now been passed in 8 provinces 
and 2 territories. It has been implemented in 7 of these provinces and 
2 territories. With midwifery legislation coming into effect there was a 
need to become organized as a national association with an Executive 
Committee in addition to representatives from Midwives' Associations. 
Therefore, at the June 2000 Annual General Meeting the name was changed to 
Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM/ACSF). The CCM/CCSF Coordinator 
became the President of CAM/ACSF, supported by a Secretary and a 
Treasurer. These three midwives form the Executive Committee, and are in 
addition to representatives from provincial/territorial midwives associations.

     The Purpose of the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM/ACSF) is to
promote, protect and enhance the profession of midwifery and support
midwives by, among other things:

	1. Representing midwifery in Canada;
	2. Promoting and protecting midwifery as an integral part of
	   the health care system in Canada;
	3. Promoting the inclusion of midwifery as a funded and self-
	   regulatory health profession in all provinces and territories
	   of Canada;
 	4. Promoting and facilitating inter-provincial/territorial
	   reciprocity for registered midwives in Canada;
	5. Coordinating communication among professional midwifery
	   associations and midwives across Canada;
	6. Providing information about midwifery to the public,
	   governments and other health professionals;
	7. Participating in the regular review of Canadian 
	   midwifery education programmes;
	8. Promoting and/or providing opportunitees for 
	   continuing education;
	9. Developing clinical practice guidelines which are
	   evidence-based;
	10.Promoting and supporting research in midwifery;
	11.Representing Canadian midwifery in the international
	   midwifery community.

	The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM/ACSF) will advocate
for high quality maternity and newborn services in Canada by:

	1. Promoting universal access to midwifery care for all 
	   women in Canada;
	2. Promoting continuity of care, informed choice, choice
	   of birth place;
	3. Developing policies and position statements for
	   midwifery, and maternal and newborn care in Canada;
	4. Reviewing policies and position statements developed by
	   Canadian and international organizations for maternal
	   and newborn care.

      In 2006 the first CAM Honorary Award was presented "in recognition 
of the outstanding contribution to the Canadian midwifery profession".

      At the 2008 annual meeting the new National Aboriginal Council of 
Midwives was welcomed.

	A full member of CAM/ACSF is an individual midwife who is a member
in good standing of a provincial/territorial midwifery association, which
is the association representing midwives in that province/territory on
CAM/ACSF. The Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador
represents the midwives in this province. The Association then pays
CAM/ACSF a prescribed annual fee for each member wishing to join CAM/ACSF. 
This fee includes a subscription to the 'Canadian Journal of Midwifery 
Research and Practice'.

	For information regarding CAM/ACSF documents and activities
visit the CAM/ACSF web site: www.canadianmidwives.org

	The address for the Canadian Association of Midwives is:

	59 River View, 
	Montreal, QC  H8R 3R9
				Phone:  514-807-3668
				Fax:    514-738-0370
				E-mail: admin@canadianmidwives.org

Web Site
CAM

	Discussion site: canadianassociationofmidwives@egroups.com


     For information regarding Canadian Midwives Associations see the next
page.

home