January 2026 Newsletter

As we begin a new year, it is a time to reflect on the year behind us — on the challenges we have navigated and the opportunities that lie ahead. It is also a moment to reflect on purpose. For the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), that purpose remains clear: to advance excellence in women’s health through leadership, advocacy, education and compassionate care.

The past year was one of both complexity and progress. Across Canada, members continued to provide high-quality, patient-centred care in increasingly strained health systems. You demonstrated resilience, professionalism and unwavering commitment to your patients, often under difficult circumstances. At the national level, the SOGC worked diligently to amplify your voices, advocate for evidence-based policy and ensure that the realities of frontline care were reflected in discussions with government, partners and the public.

We made meaningful strides in advancing our strategic priorities. Our advocacy efforts addressed critical issues in sexual and reproductive health, health equity and access to care. We strengthened relationships with national and international partners, reinforcing Canada’s role as a global leader in women’s health. We continued to support our members through education, clinical guidance and opportunities for engagement, while maintaining a strong focus on governance, organizational sustainability and transparency. We also prioritized engagement with sub-specialty groups and are working toward memoranda of understanding with CanSAGE and CanPAGO. In addition, the Ontario CME Maternal–Fetal Medicine Summit on placentas, preeclampsia and PlGF was highly successful and well received.

At the same time, we recognize that significant challenges persist. Workforce pressures, system inequities and barriers to timely, appropriate care for women continue to affect both providers and patients. Limited operating room time, human resource constraints, insufficient organizational support and inadequate funding remain daily realities for many of our members.

In this context, Bill S-228 — which seeks to explicitly recognize coerced sterilization as a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada — has undergone First Reading stage in the House of Commons after having already been studied and passed at the Senate. While the SOGC unequivocally condemns coerced sterilization, we believe that criminalization alone is not the appropriate solution. A more effective path lies in prevention through strengthened informed consent processes; culturally safe care that listens to and learns from Indigenous and other marginalized women and coordinated action with provincial and territorial colleges and the Canadian Medical Protective Association. The SOGC will continue to speak out against this bill in its current form and encourages members to contact their Member of Parliament to share these concerns directly.

Looking ahead, the new year calls on us to be both ambitious and collaborative. We will continue to advocate for policies that support women’s health and the professionals who provide care, while strengthening our governance and organizational foundations to ensure the SOGC remains responsive, sustainable and member-driven.

I encourage members to visit the SOGC website to explore our educational offerings. The SOGC’s Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM) courses remain a cornerstone of obstetrical education in Canada, with a focus on patient safety, team communication and risk management. Delivered by experienced faculty, these courses provide practical tools that can be immediately applied in practice. The Advanced Obstetrics program is also available for clinicians managing complex and high-risk obstetrical care, emphasizing advanced clinical decision-making, evidence-based management and multidisciplinary approaches to challenging scenarios.

The SOGC will also host patient-focused summits on menopause and early pregnancy loss, reflecting our commitment to partnership with women and patients. These summits will provide women with knowledge to improve understanding, reduce stigma and support more responsive, compassionate and equitable care — empowering women to advocate for the care they deserve.

Finally, I encourage you to register for the SOGC Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference (ACSC), taking place in Ottawa from June 17–19, 2026. Join colleagues from across Canada in the nation’s capital to learn, connect and collaborate. Early-bird registration ends Saturday, Jan. 17.

As we step into the year ahead, we will continue to advocate, to lead and to care — guided by evidence, compassion and a steadfast commitment to improving the health and lives of women and families across Canada.

As always, I welcome your feedback, thoughts and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out to me at President@sogc.com.

Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck 
SOGC President