Manitoba partnering with University of Saskatchewan for more veterinary post-secondary education seats
The Manitoba government is working to ensure there will be more veterinarians in the province in the future.
The government has reached a new interprovincial agreement with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan to expand the number of seats guaranteed for Manitoba.
“We have worked with the Western College of Veterinary to provide five additional seats per year for Manitoba students,” said Jon Reyes, the Minister for Advanced Education, Skills, and Immigration.
“By increasing our annual intake to 20 students from 15, we will support more students to pursue this important career path in order to help build our province’s health-care capacity for years to come.”
The seat expansion will start for the 2023-24 school year and the province will increase funding by $539,200. Reyes said this move means eventually, the province will be supporting 80 students through the four-year program.
“Our government is committed to increasing the availability of quality veterinary care to all Manitobans, especially for the agricultural sector that is so vital to our provincial economy,” said Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson.
Johnson said a new survey shows more than half of veterinary vacancies are in rural Manitoba and around 23 of those vacancies are needed for large animals.
He added healthy animals, in turn, helps produce a healthy agricultural industry.
The president of the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) said they are pleased to see this type of investment to help the industry.
“There is currently a large shortage of veterinarians in Manitoba. The commitment to educating more veterinarians will help alleviate the shortage over the long term. In the shorter term, the MVMA will continue to engage with government, veterinary professionals and other stakeholders to address the shortage of veterinary services in Manitoba,” said Dr. Keri Hudson-Reykdal in a news release.
“The province’s support allows more students from Manitoba to achieve their dreams of a career in veterinary medicine. It is also a sound investment in protecting the health and wellness of all animals, from companion animals and wildlife to livestock that plays a critical role in Canada’s agriculture industry and the country’s economy,” said Dr. Gillian Muir, the dean at WCVM, in a news release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.