'There's a real need': Minister of Advanced Education announces more funding for vet college
The provincial government is giving the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) $2.2 million dollars over four years to put more local students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
“On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I’m very proud to help expand subsidized student seats here at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine from 20 to 25,” said Minister of Agriculture, David Marit.
Saskatchewan currently commits $11.9 million to the WCVM. In 2023-2024, a commitment of $539,000 will increase year over year to reach $2.2 million in 2026-27.
The province is joining British Columbia and Manitoba in committing money to addressing the shortage of veterinarians in their provinces.
An interprovincial agreement between those provinces and the WCVM was signed in 2020. The current agreement ends in 2025.
"I'm really excited for the future of veterinary medicine in Saskatchewan. I think this is a great opportunity for our province, especially with the shortage of veterinarians," said Jackson Goudy, second-year WCVM veterinary student and president-elect of the Western Canadian Veterinary Students' Association.
"This is a great way to increase the number of vets delivering animal health care in Saskatchewan."
Dean of the WCVM, Dr. Gillian Muir said adding seats for local students across western Canada will help ensure they stay in the province after graduation.
“These seats that we’ve got specially set aside for students with a rural focus, Manitoba is going to be joining that program for Manitoba students,” Muir told CTV News. “There’s just going to be that many more students who are ready to practise in rural Saskatchewan.”
Minister of Advanced Education, Gordon Wyant said it’s crucial to replace the veterinarians in the rural part of the province, not just in cities.
“This announcement is pretty important in terms of how we ensure that there are more vets,” said Wyant. “And not just practising in cities, but certainly our focus is ensuring more vets are working in rural Saskatchewan, where there’s a real need.”
In addition to the subsidized student seats, the Saskatchewan government is expanding its Student Loan Forgiveness program for veterinarians and vet technologists.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.