Report June 2026 – Canada

FMWC President, Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, is being honoured in September as one of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women. This initiative was started in 2016 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black Canadian women across Canada.

Despite considerable advocacy by FMWC regarding Bill S-228, the bill passed into law. The bill made sterilization without informed consent a criminal offense with up to 16 years in prison. FMWC fears that this bill will add to the health human resources crisis in obstetric care already existing in Canada and would affect life-saving decisions in emergency situations. FMWC is working on next steps, which is to ensure that physicians understand informed consent to help protect them from prosecution.

FMWC continues to advocate for protection for all infants against Respiratory Syncytial Virus. This virus is responsible for hospitalization of 1 in 50 of all infants in their first year of life, particularly under age 6 months. There are two choices – a maternal vaccine given to the pregnant person or a monoclonal antibody given to the infant soon after birth. Both are safe and effective. There remain only two provinces in Canada (BC and Alberta) that do not have a universal program for all infants.

Following an excellent webinar on the topic FMWC‘s Women’s Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Health Committee has developed a brochure, outlining the management of women’s cardiovascular complications after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The brochure is scheduled to appear on the FMWC website.

FMWC is holding its annual meeting and conference in conjunction with the North American Regional Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, starting with a reception the evening of September 17 and ending on September 19th. To register, visit fmwc.ca. The theme is Beyond One Identity – Women Physicians Shaping the Future. Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, Vice President for North America, welcomes all international guests and advises that the regional business meeting will take place 0730-0830 September 19th.

The Canadian Medical Association has sponsored Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass and Dr. Seema Marwaha, FMWC’s President and President-elect, to attend the International Conference on Physician Health, sponsored by the CMA, BMA and AMA, in London, UK on September 28-30, 2026. The delegation also includes Dr. Sophia Chong, Dr. Kathleen Ross, Dr. Shelley Ross, and Dr. Manrit Takhar.

FMWC will be represented at the Central Asia Regional Congress in Mumbai in December 2026. Dr. Gail Beck, Dr. Bev Johnson and Dr. Shelley Ross will attend and be part of the scientific presentations.

As mentioned in the last MWIA quarterly communication, FMWC has broadened its membership to Canadian citizens studying medicine outside Canada. Membership is free for students. Could you please let your medical schools know of this opportunity and anyone interested can contact fmwcmain@fmwc.ca.