CANADA: Resolution recommits Canada to support maternal and newborn initiatives lauded by Canada's maternal expert leaders
4 JUNE 2009 | OTTAWA - In Canada, Parliament unanimously passed an all-party resolution stating its commitment to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality at home and abroad and support the work of Canadian leaders to achieve this goal.
The Resolution, introduced by the Honorable Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, reads:
"That this House renews its commitment to reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality both at home and abroad and supports Canadian leadership within government and civil society to work within the G8 and as partners with UN agencies and appropriate global initiatives to achieve this goal."
Before introducing the Resolution, leaders of Canadas MNCH medical community made compelling presentations at a Parliamentary briefing meeting Tuesday morning, chaired by Senator Wilbert Keon, including the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA), and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). Leaders of all parties, in both the House and Senate, responded immediately and demonstrated leadership in committing to stop these preventable tragedies.
Both the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) and the Society of Obstetricians of Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) have supported this effort to bring a resolution to Parliament. In May, CAM initiated a nationwide Mothers and Midwives Campaign informing all Parliamentarians of this issue and asking for a resolution from Parliament.
Canada's international leaders on maternal and newborn mortality released a press release to congratulate the Canadian Government, the full text of which is found in the box on the right.
Quotes Canadian civil society and medical leaders
The President of ICM, Bridget Lynch:
"This is a great day for Canada and I am proud of the leadership role our government is taking to end the needless deaths of women and their newborns in the poorest countries. Today, Canada has committed to working with the other G8 nations to find solutions to save these lives. "
The President of FIGO, Dr. Dorothy Shaw, University of British Columbia:
"Canada is in a unique situation currently, having the leaders of the international health professional associations for all the health MDGs living here in the country, namely FIGO, the ICM, the International Paediatric Society as well as AIDS…. This resolution confirming Canada's renewed commitment to a goal set in 2000 for all member states of the UN shows leadership at a critical time. "
Former First Lady and representative, WRA in Canada, Maureen McTeer:
"I am delighted that our message has been heard and we will work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health."
Executive Vice President SOGC, Dr. André Lalonde:
"The SOGC and its Canadian partners (midwives, nurses, family physicians, and pharmacists) are ready and willing to work with Canada foreign aid to bring quality maternity care and emergency obstetrical care to partner countries. Canada has the potential to play a leading role and we must respond to this human tragedy."