Release
Department of Health
March 18, 2026
FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government has introduced amendments to the Midwifery Act that, if passed, would allow midwives to offer a broader range of services and let student midwives train in New Brunswick.
“Midwives play an essential role in supporting people through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, offering safe, high-quality, compassionate care every step of the way,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “By updating our legislation, we’re helping ensure midwives can continue meeting the needs of our communities, now and in the years ahead.”
If passed, An Act to Amend the Midwifery Act would expand the scope of practice for midwives to include the care, assessment and monitoring of people throughout their child-bearing years. The amendments would also allow midwifery students, who are currently not permitted to practise in New Brunswick’s health-care system, to gain supervised clinical experience in the province.
In addition, the proposed changes would update the size and makeup of the Midwifery Council of New Brunswick by allowing one to four public members who have never practised midwifery. This would strengthen public representation while maintaining the professional expertise needed for effective clinical regulation.
“As the regulator, our job is to protect the public,” said Kandise Brown, the council’s executive director and registrar. “Updating the Midwifery Act helps ensure midwives can do the job they’re trained to do while strengthening public oversight and expanding care options for New Brunswickers.”
“Expanding midwifery services in New Brunswick remains a key priority for our government,” said Dornan. “These changes will help align midwifery practice with other provinces and support the growth of the workforce, improving access to care for families.”
18-03-26
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Media Contact(s)
Tara Chislett, communications, Department of Health, [email protected].