WINNIPEG — Midwifery students have staged a protest at the provincial legislature after learning their program will no longer be offered at the University of Manitoba.
The 14 students say the move is costing them time, money and their dream careers, and comes at a time when there is a greater need than ever for midwives.
According to the Midwives Association of Manitoba, the demand in the province calls for 200 midwives, but only 52 are currently working.
The move by the university comes because the program is no longer accredited by the College of Midwives of Manitoba.
Education Minister Ian Wishart says the funding is still there and the province recognizes the need for midwives and is trying to develop a sustainable program "that will get recognized."
The 14 midwifery students were offered spots in the university's nursing program, but all of them declined.
"We were shocked and floored, we had no idea it was coming," said student Jill Larner. "We want to be midwives, we want a program."
The opposition NDP believe more needs to be done for women to access midwives, especially in northern Manitoba.
"Women have the right to their birthing plans and to be able to birth their children in their community," said Nahanni Fontaine, MLA for St. Johns.
