The Alberta veterinary profession together with municipal and agricultural stakeholders have been calling attention to labour shortages with indications that this global problem has grown to crisis levels in Alberta impacting access to animal care, human health and threatening the growth of the Alberta economy. The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) and the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA) welcome the Alberta government’s investments in Budget 2022 that help to address these workforce challenges and position Alberta as a world leader in veterinary education and international talent attraction.
“Veterinarians and veterinary technologists are critical to the health of Alberta’s animals, the sustainability of Alberta’s communities and to the Alberta economy growing forward. Labour shortages are real, growing and pose a risk to lives and livelihoods. This investment will help address labour gaps and ensure a new generation can pursue quality veterinary education and veterinary careers in Alberta, especially in rural Alberta. Today is a positive step forward for our profession, for all animal owners and for Alberta,” said Dr. Pat Burrage, President, ABVMA.
In April of 2021, the ABVMA published a Veterinary Professional Workforce Study, which highlighted vacancy rates for veterinary professional positions, including veterinarians at 16.7 per cent and veterinary technologists at 18.8% being exponentially higher than the provincial average of 2.6 per cent. Demand for veterinary services is expected to outpace population growth with the current education and training system unable to meet growing demand.
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“Innovative veterinary education is integral to building the next generation of economic prowess and community health in Alberta. The Alberta government investment at UCVM is a legacy investment. $59 million in infrastructure money in addition to significant enrolment investment will expand our world class veterinary program allowing more Alberta students to graduate and work in Alberta while also increasing access to international veterinarians. UCVM is ready and excited at this opportunity to grow and educate a new generation of veterinarians and provide Alberta communities with the support they need,” said Dr. Renate Weller, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary.
Budget 2022 through the Alberta at Work initiative provides direct investment of $59 million over three years to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary (UCVM) for infrastructure expansion. The initiative further provides targeted and needed enrolment expansion for veterinarians and veterinary technologists at UCVM and technical colleges in Alberta. Further investments for targeted immigration attraction streams to rural Alberta will also position Alberta as a place welcoming the best veterinary talent.
Budget 2022 provides a bold and decisive investment in veterinary medicine that will bolster the health and welfare of animals, growth in rural communities and the health of Albertans. Graduates of veterinary medical programs will be in demand for decades. These investments will expand the opportunity for Alberta students to be trained in Alberta and build long-standing careers in the Alberta communities they know best.
