Public Engagement Opportunities

Commitment

• Three (3) year term
• Attendance at 3 to 10 meetings per year, generally 1 to 6 hours long (depending on the committee and business at hand) during the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Successful CSPR applicants may have the opportunity to be appointed to additional committees or the Council of the CMM.

In Manitoba, midwifery has been a self-regulating profession since 2000. Self-regulation means the government, on behalf of the public, grants a professional group the privilege and responsibility to govern themselves in a way that protects members of the public.  For CMM, this means to protect the public in the provision of midwifery services. Work undertaken by CMM’s statutory and standing committees contributes to the regulatory functions of the College and supports Council in meeting its mandate.  

The Midwifery Act, Regulation and By-laws set the rules for how this self-regulation is to be carried out by CMM. One such rule is that members of the public are appointed to CMM Council and Committees by an arm’s length committee called the Committee to Select Public Representatives to ensure that the profession remains accountable to society at large in its decision-making. This participation of the public is one ingredient essential for responsible self-regulation.

Public representatives serve in the following capacities:

• CMM Governing Council and Committees
  The Midwifery Act gives the CMM as a whole the authority to develop policy-type documents, i.e. regulations, by-laws, standards of practice, practice guidelines, policies etc. that establish the obligations for its members (midwives) (e.g. registration requirements, components of the quality assurance program) and describe a minimum level of required performance or expected behaviour of its members. This authority to develop and create enables Council to direct the regulator as a whole and protect the public. Council establishes committees to help undertake some of this development work.
  
  
• Committee to Select Public Representatives (CSPR)
  This committee’s purpose is to recruit and select public representatives to serve on CMM’s Council and committees.

Essential Qualifications of a Public Representative

• Not a member of CMM or any other regulated health profession
• A resident of Manitoba
• Knowledge of and willingness to remain current with issues related to midwifery
• Willing to support CMM’s mandate to protect the safety of the public in the provision of midwifery services
• Sensitive to issues of culture, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Willing to complete Indigenous cultural-safety training
• Familiar with consensus decision-making
• Able to identify conflicts of interest
• CSPR only: must have used the services of a midwife (required by The Midwifery Regulation )

Selection Process

Upon submission of an Application Form CSPR conducts an interview and reference checks of an applicant based on assessment of the Application Form.  Selection of successful candidates is made by CSPR.

Kagike Danikobidan (KD) is mandated to consist of Indigenous midwives, Elders and community members.  KD was formed in legislation to advise the CMM on issues related to midwifery care for Indigenous women and families in Manitoba, including the restoration of midwifery education, the provision of midwifery services and choice of birthplace consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

KD fulfils its mandate through its committee work, appointments to CMM’s Council and other committees and through liaising with additional stakeholders by representing the needs and perspectives of Indigenous women and families in Manitoba.

 Essential Qualifications

• Indigenous resident of Manitoba
  (Indigenous is defined as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and includes both 'status' and 'non-status' persons and both members and non-members of Indigenous governments or organizations.)
• Knowledge of midwifery and willing to remain current on issues related to midwifery care
• Willing to support CMM’s mandate to protect the safety of the public related to midwifery
• Sensitive to issues of culture, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Familiar with consensus decision-making
• Able to identify conflicts of interest

Commitment

• Three (3) year term
• Five (5) to six (6) KD meetings per year for 2 to 3 hours per meeting between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, plus the potential for additional meetings related to special committee appointments.

Selection Process

Submission of an Application Form which will be reviewed by the KD committee. The selection of successful candidates is made by KD.