By Alice McFarlane

British Columbia to permanently double the number of subsidized seats at Vet College in Saskatchewan

Mar 24, 2023 | 2:33 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – The number of B.C. seats at Saskatchewan’s veterinary college will increase to 40 thanks to a significant financial contribution.

A dramatic uptick in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic and demand for a large animal specialists has led to an urgent shortage of veterinary professionals not only in Western Canada, but across North America.

The B.C. government is doubling the number of subsidized seats for B.C. veterinary students at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

B.C. Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson said there was a need to increase support to WCVM.

“Veterinarians play a critical role in supporting the agricultural sector, people, and the health and welfare of animals across B.C.,” Robinson said. “Last year, we doubled the number of B.C. students funded to study veterinary medicine and now we are committing to continue this funding so more people receive quality training, and our pets and farm animals can get the health care they need.”

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B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food Pam Alexis the services and care vets provide B.C. farmers supports food security and results in British Columbians enjoying the benefits of a healthy and stable farming community.

“It’s clear we need more veterinarians in our communities, so our pets and livestock receive the attention they need, when they need it, and our government continues to take action on both recruitment and training to make that happen,” Alexis said.

WCVM Dean Dr. Gillian Muir said B.C.’s decision to maintain increased funding of the WCVM is a critical step toward addressing the shortage of veterinarians.

“This commitment also allows B.C. and the WCVM to work together to target priorities for British Columbians, including training more veterinarians who want to practice in rural communities and attracting more Indigenous students to the profession,” Muir said.

In September, Saskatchewan and Manitoba announced increased funding for the WCVM. Each province boosted its student seat quota by five. Saskatchewan now has 25 seats in the college’s first-year class while Manitoba has 20 students. One seat is annually allocated to a student from Canada’s northern territories, while two seats are designated for Indigenous applicants. WCVM will now have a total of 88 students in the first-year class.

B.C.’s contribution is $21.8 million over three years. The government of Alberta supports students attending the Veterinary College at the University of Calgary.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW