Health Committee on May 27th, 2008

[Dr. Marlene Smadu]

Yes, the Canadian Nurses Association is very supportive of midwives. As part of the International Council of Nurses, many of our colleagues in other countries represent nurses and midwives, and Canada is certainly far behind in terms of the proportion of midwives. Many of the jurisdictions are moving for the legislation and the supports, the education programs, to be able to support midwifery.

I would go back to the comment I made earlier, that in a time of limited health human resources we have to make sure we're utilizing all of our health providers and health professionals appropriately, that we're incorporating them as part of a team that provides the best service to the patients, and midwives have a long history of being able to provide excellent service to women and families.

[Dr. Brian Day]

I could comment. I'm in favour of midwives because I was delivered by a midwife.

But I think it has to be within the context of the skill set. Back when I was a young doctor in Manchester, England, I did 45 home deliveries with midwives. But there was a whole structure built to support that. We had what we called a flying squad. You'd have a surgeon who could do a caesarean section with an anesthesiologist and backup nurses and equipment in any home within two or three minutes. So midwives within a hospital setting, I think, will be a help, but not a major solution.

The other thing is that a lot of young doctors now are female. In fact, the majority of medical students, up to 70% in many medical schools, are female. My wife is a physician. That's a favourite part of their profession, and they like doing deliveries and looking after the mother and the baby.

So I think it's part of a solution, and I think we're supportive of collaboration with midwives, but it's not going to solve the major issues facing Canadian health care right now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Thank you so much. I want to thank particularly all the witnesses today for coming and giving your very insightful comments. We had a very large panel today, and you were very direct, very focused, and very helpful.

We do have some committee business, so if I could ask you just to leave the room as quickly as possible, with our thanks, we'll go straight into committee business, because I know members have to get on to their other duties.

So thank you. I'll give you a minute to just do that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Okay. I just very briefly want to give you some information for Thursday, just to remind you that there will be a three-hour meeting, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. So come prepared for a long meeting. Nine witnesses are confirmed, three of whom will appear by video conference. The minister is scheduled to appear from 11:50 to 1 p.m., and he will speak for 25 minutes, from 11:50 to 12:15, followed by questions until 1 p.m. The minister will have a PowerPoint presentation and a one-and-a-half-minute video.

I just wanted to make you were aware that this coming Thursday will be a longer meeting for everybody, and there of course will be food here and a chance for you to have some lunch along the way as well.

I want to thank you so very much. I must say I want to especially thank this committee for keeping within the timelines. I like to be very fair. I know one or two people feel they should get ten minutes while everybody else gets three or five, but unfortunately I try to keep it very fair for everybody, and I thank you for your consideration.

Mr. Temelkovski.

[Lui Temelkovski, Liberal, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I have two issues. Was there a time change in the minister's appearance, because I believe he was scheduled to be here for a longer period? That's number one, and number two is to ask if we have made provisions for lunch.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Yes, we have provisions for lunch, as I just said, and no, the time is the same.

The meeting is adjourned.