A grieving widower’s emotional testimony has prompted Brampton city councillors to unanimously call for sweeping hospital reforms after a series of maternal deaths linked to rising Group A sepsis infections across Canada.
With tears streaming down his face, Gurinder Sidhu stood before council on Wednesday, recounting the final days of his wife Ravinder Sidhu, who died shortly after giving birth to their third child at Mississauga’s Credit Valley Hospital. Ravinder, 40, delivered a healthy baby boy on June 19, completing what was meant to be a joyful family of five. But within hours, she began showing alarming signs of infection — including fever, violent shivering, and difficulty speaking.
Sidhu detailed a troubling timeline: his wife had suffered a vaginal tear requiring stitches, but when she developed symptoms around 11:15 a.m., he says hospital staff took no urgent action. The infection spread rapidly, severely damaging her uterus and moving into her leg. Despite clear signs of distress, Sidhu alleges that doctors offered little more than Tylenol and Advil and that Ravinder was not given antibiotics for nearly 30 hours after symptoms began.
Her death was ultimately attributed to Group A strep/sepsis, a fast-moving and often fatal infection. Sidhu is accusing Credit Valley Hospital of “gross negligence,” saying his wife fought for her life largely without medical intervention for two days.
The tragedy — one of several maternal deaths now under national scrutiny — has intensified calls for accountability and systemic change. Brampton council’s unanimous motion urges the province to review hospital practices, improve maternal care standards, and address failures that advocates say are costing mothers their lives.
Sidhu’s message to councillors was clear: no family should endure what his has suffered.
