Provincial government providing funding to train more vets in Alberta

In 2017, the provincial government decided not to renew its funding agreement with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan. Instead a plan was approved to transition funding to the U of C beginning in 2020.

This laid the groundwork for a strategy that will grow capacity within the province and make this career path more viable to students by offering it closer to home.

Heather Sweet, NDP Critic for Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Economic Development made the following statement in response to today’s veterinary announcement:

“The UCP don’t have a clear plan for our post-secondary schools, or how to attract veterinarians to practise in rural Alberta. The NDP does have a clear plan on how to put a post-secondary education back within reach of hardworking Albertans and students.

“I am proud of the work the previous NDP government did to expand vet spaces at the University of Calgary. There is a rural vet shortage right now which is hurting farmers who can not get their livestock seen when they need to. The announcement made today will not immediately address that need.

“The UCP must provide details on how they will directly support Alberta’s agriculture economy and the need for specialized large-animal care.

“Veterinarians are leaving the practice at higher rates than new ones are graduating. It has become increasingly hard for Albertans to advance their education with higher tuition, higher interest rates on student debt and gutted school budgets affecting the quality of their education. As a result, young people and post-secondary students are leaving the province at record rates.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)

by Regan Tate

Provincial government providing funding to train more vets in Alberta

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