$250,000 to Support Local Indigenous Midwifery Services
May 7, 2025NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, announced that the Ontario government is investing $50,000 for 2024-25 to K’Tigaaning Midwives – Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada, and $200,000 in 2025-26, through the Indigenous Midwifery Program. The investment supports maternal and child health by providing culturally appropriate care to Indigenous families in our community.
“Ontario’s Indigenous Midwife Program enhances Indigenous cultural knowledge and practices in our region, ensuring families and newborns can connect to high quality care while remaining close to home,” said MPP Vic Fedeli.
“VON is extremely pleased to receive this funding to facilitate an expansion of the Indigenous Midwifery Program in North Bay. The program provides comprehensive care to expecting mothers during their pregnancy, labour and birth, post-partum, and into the first few weeks of the newborrn’s life. VON is thrilled to be working in partnership with the K’Tigaaning Midwives to deliver services in the region,” said Davina Wong, Associate Vice President, Home and Community Care.
A midwife is a primary care provider who is responsible for all the care necessary for a healthy expectant person and the baby throughout pregnancy, birth and for six weeks afterward. If medical problems develop during pregnancy, labour, birth or postpartum, midwives will work closely with specialist physicians and nursing staff.
As primary care providers, midwives provide healthcare to pregnant persons and their babies. They see clients for all prenatal visits and give prenatal education, order laboratory and ultrasound testing, and arrange for consultations with or transfers to doctors. They give some medications during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum (after birth) period if needed, take responsibility for primary care during labour, birth and postpartum.
Quick facts:
- In 1994, midwifery became an integrated part of the Ontario healthcare system, then provided their services free of charge to residence of the province.
- You do not need a referral from a physician to use midwifery services. You can call a midwife directly and it is best to call early in pregnancy to ensure that your midwife has space for you.
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