The Midwifery Task Force of Ontario

In 1986, the Ontario government and Minister of Health established the Task Force on the Implementation of Midwifery in Ontario. Commonly known as the Midwifery Task Force of Ontario (MTF-O), the Task Force was created to recommend a framework for establishing midwifery as a regulated profession and as part of Ontario’s health care system.

In the fall of 1986, the MTF-O held public hearings across the province in order to receive oral submissions and testimonies on the implementation of midwifery. They invited written submissions and briefs from organizations and members of the public. The MTF-O was supported by women’s groups and midwife associations who were working to recognize midwifery as a healthcare profession. On December 31, 1993, the Midwifery Act was passed in Ontario to recognize, regulate and fund midwifery as part of the healthcare system.