# A big step forward for B.C. mothers subjected to ‘birth alerts’

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-decibel-3326560/a-big-step-forward-for-b-c-mothers-subjected-to-birth-alerts
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-decibel-3326560/a-big-step-forward-for-b-c-mothers-subjected-to-birth-alerts.md
Podcast: [The Decibel](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-decibel-3326560)
Published: 2026-05-19T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the-decibel/
Audio file: https://afp-119681-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/8b638145-9d42-4003-985c-054905c039a5/episodes/31f98456-60ec-458f-a3f4-1e1cafe445fb/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=8b638145-9d42-4003-985c-054905c039a5&awEpisodeId=31f98456-60ec-458f-a3f4-1e1cafe445fb&feed=TGclX98p
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-decibel-3326560/episodes/a-big-step-forward-for-b-c-mothers-subjected-to-birth-alerts
Duration seconds: 1372

## Resource

“Birth alerts” were a controversial practice in several Canadian provinces that allowed hospitals and child-welfare agencies to flag pregnant patients they deemed to be high-risk without their knowledge or consent. They were in place until as recently as 2023 in Quebec. Last week, a proposed settlement worth $66-million was reached in a class action lawsuit over British Columbia’s use of birth alerts. Across the country, several other class actions are underway. Andrea Woo is a staff reporter for the Globe, based in Vancouver. She’s on the show to explain the effects of birth alerts on mothers and the significance of the B.C. class action suit.

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## Transcript

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