The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) has announced the Rural Family Practice Enhanced Surgical Skills OB Locum Program pilot is now running until March 31, 2025. This program helps rural family practice doctors, who provide eligible core surgical obstetrics services, secure subsidized leave periods from their practices for purposes such as vacation and Continuing Medical Education (CME). This program will strengthen maternity care in rural parts of the province, and help pregnant patients continue to receive care in their local communities.