As of January 2025, 181 midwives were practising across the province, reflecting a 26 per cent increase from 2020. Midwives play a crucial role in improving health outcomes for women, newborns and families by bringing maternal care closer to home. They build strong relationships with families, provide emotional support, help manage pregnancy risks and make referrals when needed.
Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring Albertans can access high-quality maternal health care anywhere in the province. To help achieve this goal, $10 million is being invested over three years to implement the comprehensive new Alberta Midwifery Strategy.
“Midwives play an important role in delivering primary health care to Albertans. Our goal is to continue leading the way in women’s and children's health programs, and implementing initiatives through our midwifery strategy is an important part of achieving this goal.”
The midwifery strategy outlines short-, medium-, and long-term goals to strengthen care and support midwifery pathways to practice. In the short term, the focus is on enhancing care for Indigenous populations through provider and community engagement. Medium-term efforts aim to address midwifery attrition and identify the supports needed to sustain the workforce. Long term, the strategy seeks to formalize guidelines and processes to integrate midwifery practice while monitoring supply and demand.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit families have emphasized that increased access to midwifery services is critical, especially in rural and remote areas of the province. They believe that improved midwifery access will help to address physical, emotional and cultural barriers that affect health outcomes for mothers, babies and communities.
“Implementing this strategy will support midwifery practice and improve rural Albertans’ access to the maternity services they need.”
Funding will support engagement with Indigenous communities and birth workers, pilot innovative projects within Indigenous populations, assess data gaps and develop resources to provide midwifery services effectively. Additionally, it will help attract and retain internationally educated midwives and promote the integration of midwifery practice in team-based primary care.
“Primary Care Alberta is delighted to see that more Alberta families will have access to the support and services provided by midwives. We welcome this investment as part of our commitment to ensure that compassionate, timely and effective health care is available to every Albertan, at every stage of life.”
“The Alberta Association of Midwives values the government's commitment to supporting midwifery in Alberta through the provincial midwifery strategy. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives to grow and sustain midwifery in our province.”
Midwifery services are in high demand across Alberta, and Alberta’s government recognizes the need to expand options and improve access to maternal care. This strategy will help ensure families receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government is investing $2 million for midwifery projects in 2024-25, followed by $3 million in 2025-26 and $5 million in 2026-27.
- Alberta’s government worked with the Alberta Association of Midwives, the College of Midwives of Alberta, Mount Royal University, Alberta Health Services and internal stakeholders to develop the midwifery strategy.
- Midwifery is a publicly funded service in Alberta.
- Midwives are regulated by the College of Midwives of Alberta under the Health Professions Act and must complete formal education in midwifery and pass written and practical examinations before practising in Alberta.
- Midwives provide comprehensive care to individuals with low-risk pregnancies through labour and birth, continuing to support the health and safety of mothers and babies until six weeks after birth.
Related information
Related news
- Investing in women’s and children’s health (May 3, 2024)