I would say that the impact has been extremely discouraging for midwives. Midwifery has been legislated in Ontario for 27 years, and for 17 of those 27 years, midwifery compensation was frozen even for the cost of living. To have a midwife with the clinical and emergency skills that we have who are available on call 24-7 for our clients the disrespect is incredibly disheartening.
To have that recognized by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Divisional Court of Ontario was affirming, and yet it is deeply frustrating to have the provincial government challenge that, especially in light of the work midwives have put in on the front lines bridging care in the community so that families that are at a very vulnerable point in time can reduce their exposures during the pandemic.
To work as essential workers and yet not be recognized has led to burnout. It frustrates midwives that their compensation levels have led to them taking on higher caseloads than might be healthy, with that leading in turn to levels of mental and physical disability, which are a penalty for the entire profession.
Thank you for your question, because I feel this is an equity issue, where the health of birthing people and the health of those care providers, particularly those who are marginalized, is threatened because of the undermining of this female-predominant profession that serves them.