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Cottage country midwives getting $446,000 in final round of provincial funding

MUSKOKA, ON- Midwifery services in cottage country are getting provincial cash.

According to a recent announcement from Health Minister Christine Elliot, Ontario is investing a total of $28 million into the expansion of midwifery services throughout the province.

The money is aimed at helping 3,400 more families access additional choice in primary care during a pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

However, the money isn’t a new commitment from the new provincial government. That’s according to Elizabeth Brandis, the president of the Association of Ontario Midwives.

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Brandis described the funding as “expected money” instead of new money, given that it was the third year of a multi-year contract negotiated with the Liberals in 2017.

Regardless of the way the money was rolled out, Brandis was still pleased to see it, and indicated it would likely be used for the hiring of new midwives.

“We support growth of midwifery,” said Brandis.

“We know there are unaccommodated families who want to have midwives, and we just don’t have enough in the system. Growing the profession is very important. We also want to send the message that midwives need to be better compensated and better accommodated into the healthcare system. All of those things together are what we’re hoping for in the future.”

Across our listening area, $446,000 is going towards local midwife services.

Midwifery Services of Haliburton-Bancroft is getting $35,109, the Midwives of Georgian Bay are getting $54,032, and Midwives of Muskoka are receiving $356,744.

Norm Miller, the MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, was happy with the funding.

“I know how important this investment will be to families,” said Miller.

“Some of my grandchildren were born under the care of Midwives of Muskoka.”

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