Things to understand about the termination of the @LaurentianU #midwifery program

1. It was the sole #bilingual program in Canada that prioritized the admittance of #indigenous students and their training

2. It was provincially envelope funded, meaning that it brought guarantees revenue to @LaurentianU . A university in bankruptcy eliminated one of two programs that brought them funds. This is lunacy. Fun fact: the other envelope program (NP) was untouched

3. The federal interest is implicated per the Eldridge and Van der Peet decisions concerning #francophone and #indigenous birthing rights. Birthing people will pay for conservative government neglect with their bodies, their births, and their children

4. The Ontario @DougFord2022 has twice fought Ontario midwives in a pay equity dispute and twice lost. It’s hard not to interpret this as Doug seeing an opportunity to shrink a profession he was at odds with, and jumping on it

5. The university cited low enrolment as their reason to cut programs. The midwifery program is capped at 30 (by the province), and receives 300-400 applicants for those spots. Statistically, odds are usually slightly better for getting into med school than

midwifery. Low enrolment? See yourself out please

6. The conservatives remain radio silent on this issue, despite daily requests for conversation, while promoting southern institutions and their post-secondary programs. They are hoping we’ll go quietly. Make no mistake: we will not