Summary#
Bill 25 would update New Brunswick’s Midwifery Act. Its main change is to create a formal registration category for student midwives and to clarify the rules for midwives, temporary registrants, and people on rosters. It would also expand some responsibilities of the Midwifery Council, employers, and agencies.
The bill was tabled for first reading on March 18, 2026. The source material does not show that it has passed or taken effect.
- Creates a student register for people enrolled in an approved midwifery education program.
- Allows registered student midwives to provide health services that are part of their program, under the direct supervision of an actively registered midwife.
- Defines midwifery practice to include reproductive health care, care during pregnancy and after birth, care of healthy infants, and low-risk vaginal deliveries.
- Gives the Council authority to define the services that may be provided by people on the temporary register or a roster.
- Prohibits people who are not registered from practising or using titles that suggest they are midwives or student midwives.
- Increases the possible size of the governing council from seven members to up to 10, including between one and four people who have never practised midwifery.
- Requires employers and agencies to check registration at hiring and at least once a year while the engagement continues.
What it means for you#
- Pregnant patients and families: The bill does not create a new health service or set fees. It could allow registered student midwives to take part in care as part of their education, but only under direct supervision.
- Student midwives: Students in an approved program could apply to be listed in a new student register. They could use the title “student midwife” only if they are registered.
- Midwives: Midwives returning to New Brunswick after practising elsewhere would have to report certain disciplinary findings or unresolved complaints from outside the province. They could not resume practice until the Council authorizes them to do so.
- Employers and staffing agencies: They would have to confirm that a midwife or student midwife has appropriate, current registration. They would also have to ensure the person is not assigned work that conflicts with registration restrictions.
- Employers: If an engagement ends because of dishonesty, incompetence, or incapacity, the employer or agency would have to report this to the Council without delay and give a copy of the report to the person involved.
- Members under investigation: The bill changes many terms so that disciplinary and investigation rules apply to a broader category called “members,” including some people whose registration has been suspended, revoked, expired, or ended.
- Public: A person who practises or presents themselves as a midwife without the required registration could commit an offence. The same would apply to someone who presents themselves as a student midwife without being on the student register.
- What is unclear: The bill does not state when each change would start. That would be set later by proclamation.
Expenses#
No direct public cost is identified in the available material.
- Government and the Council: Creating and maintaining a student register, checking registrations, and handling additional reports could increase administrative work. No cost estimate is provided.
- Employers and agencies: They may face added record-checking and reporting duties. No estimate of those costs is available.
- Students and midwives: The bill does not identify new fees, tuition costs, fines, or other direct charges.
- Enforcement: Violations involving unauthorized practice or use of protected titles would remain subject to penalties under the provincial offence system. The bill does not state the amount of any penalty.
No publicly available information is provided about savings, new government spending, or lost revenue.
Proponents' View#
The supplied material does not include statements from supporters. Possible arguments based on the bill’s design include:
- The bill appears intended to create a clear legal path for training and supervising student midwives.
- A student register could help patients, employers, and the profession identify who is authorized to provide supervised student services.
- Clearer registration categories could help the Council set different practice limits for active midwives, temporary registrants, people on rosters, and students.
- Requiring employers to check registration could improve accountability and reduce the risk of unauthorized or restricted practice.
- Reporting certain out-of-province discipline and unresolved complaints could help the Council assess whether a returning midwife should resume practice.
- Expanding the possible number of lay members could provide more public representation on the governing council.
Opponents' View#
The supplied material does not include statements from critics. Possible concerns based on the bill’s design include:
- The bill gives the Council power to decide which services people on the temporary register or a roster may provide. The bill does not explain those services in detail.
- The bill does not explain how student midwives will be supervised in practice, how supervisors will be selected, or who will be responsible if problems occur.
- Employers and agencies would have continuing registration-checking and reporting duties. This could add administrative work, especially for smaller employers.
- The bill could delay a returning midwife’s return to practice because authorization would be required after certain out-of-province complaints or disciplinary findings. The bill does not set a clear timeline for the Council’s decision.
- The bill changes many disciplinary and investigation provisions to apply to current and former members. The practical effect of some of these wording changes is not explained in the source material.
- The bill does not provide a fiscal estimate. The cost of creating the student register and enforcing the new rules is therefore unclear.