Client and Practice Group Commitments to Anti-racism and Anti-Oppression
The midwife-client relationship is one dependent on trust and mutual respect. To honour this trust between ourselves and our clients, we take racism, discrimination and harassment very seriously. We aim to treat everyone with respect and fairness, embracing the diverse lived experiences of our clients, midwives, midwifery students and staff.
As midwives, we follow the standards and guidance set out by the College of Midwives of Ontario. These standards and guidance state that midwives must conduct themselves in a way that promotes both their clients’ and the public’s trust and also prohibit midwives from engaging in behaviour that is “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional”.
Additionally, we also operate under the Competencies for Midwives set out by the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC), which states that:
In the spirit of the CMO and CMRC standards, we at EAST OTTAWA MIDWIVES commit to keeping a safe, accessible, anti-racist and anti-oppressive care environment for both our staff and clients. In return, we ask that our clients commit to the following:
As midwives, we follow the standards and guidance set out by the College of Midwives of Ontario. These standards and guidance state that midwives must conduct themselves in a way that promotes both their clients’ and the public’s trust and also prohibit midwives from engaging in behaviour that is “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional”.
Additionally, we also operate under the Competencies for Midwives set out by the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC), which states that:
- “[m]idwives have a responsibility to address racism and bias at the individual and system levels”; and
- “promote and adhere to anti-racism policies that guide recognizing, reporting, documenting and responding to racism in the health care system”
In the spirit of the CMO and CMRC standards, we at EAST OTTAWA MIDWIVES commit to keeping a safe, accessible, anti-racist and anti-oppressive care environment for both our staff and clients. In return, we ask that our clients commit to the following:
- To respect the staff, midwives, students, volunteers and other clients at EAST OTTAWA MIDWIVES. This includes, not discriminating against any protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code such as, a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, family status, age etc.;
- To speak to our staff and clients respectfully;
- To refrain from indulging in racist beliefs, stereotypes, and attitudes; and
- To refrain from using any racist or discriminatory language, gestures, or behaviours
- Violence, directly, or indirectly towards our staff or other clients, including physical violence (e.g., punching, pushing, kicking, tripping, etc.) or destruction of personal belongings and/or medical equipment.
- Bullying, teasing or harassment on grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code such as, a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status, age, etc.
- Use of slurs related to one’s race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status, age, etc.
Thank you for respecting these guidelines. We appreciate your dedication to keeping our practice a safe care environment for all.
If you have any questions or concerns about the commitments. Or would like to discuss them with a member of our staff, please feel free to contact one of our practice partners.