Pregnant Women Demonstrate on Premier's Lawn

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 9, 2011) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press

Midwives and supporters rallied in front of Dalton McGuinty's constituency office in Ottawa today to demand pay equity for midwives across the province. A recent Ministry of Health-funded report found that midwives' compensation leaves them trailing behind other comparable health care providers by more than 20%.

"We are rallying to let the Premier know that midwives want pay equity, and that midwives are worth it," said Katrina Kilroy, RM, president of the Association of Ontario Midwives. "It's time for Dalton to come clean, acknowledge that midwives have not been fairly negotiated with and address pay equity," Kilroy said.

Midwives have been provincially funded and regulated in Ontario for 17 years, getting a raise only twice during that entire time. For 11 years—1994 to 2005—midwives received zero pay increase. The two pay increases they have received since then have been less than comparable professions.

Pregnant women at today's rally hung messages on a laundry line to urge the premier to come clean and address pay equity. Midwives produce significant savings for the health care system because women in midwifery care have fewer visits to emergency rooms and short, if any, hospital stays. Midwives are experts in supporting normal birth and women in midwifery care have half the rate of c-sections as the provincial average.

"You cannot separate the worth of women from the worth of midwives. Women are worth it. Midwives are worth it," said Ms. Kilroy. "And with a provincial election pending, the women of this province want to know who to vote for."

About Midwifery in Ontario

There are over 500 Registered Midwives in Ontario, serving communities in 85 clinics across the province. Midwives have provided care to over 100,000 mothers and babies in home, hospital and the community since 1994. Midwives provide care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth and provide care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following the birth. The Association of Ontario Midwives is the professional organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Ontario.

Interviews and photographs with midwifery clients and midwives can be arranged. Copies of the compensation report are available upon request or at http://www.ontariomidwives.ca/support/payequity.