Ministerial Statement – Minister Haggie Acknowledges the Start of Midwifery Services in Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Health and Community Services

March 5, 2020

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services:


Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House, to acknowledge the start of midwifery services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Welcome to our four midwives – Renee Boland, Catha McMaster, Brianna Thompson and Maud Addai. Three of these registered midwives started providing services in mid-December, while the fourth midwife joined the team in January.

Budget 2019 – Working Towards a Brighter Future provided $370,000 for the establishment of these services in Gander.

Establishing a collaborative and supportive environment for midwifery has been key to getting this program launched. We will use the lessons from Gander to begin implementation across the province over the coming year.

This team is a positive contribution to collaborative maternity care in the community, and at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre.

I would be remiss today if I did not acknowledge Gisela Becker, our provincial midwifery consultant, who provided quality leadership, in guiding the implementation process.

I also wish to acknowledge the Association of Midwives of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals, Pearl Herbert and Kay Matthews, Central Health, midwives from across the country, educators and others, who were instrumental in helping to develop regulations that will facilitate the safe governance of midwifery in our province.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2020 03 05 1:45 pm