Whereas there is a critical shortage of veterinarians, particularly for large animals, in BC; And whereas the Province of BC sponsors 20 IPA Inter-Provincial Agreement students out of the 140 who apply per year for the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, and has committed to one year funding for an additional 20 students for 2022-23: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Minister of Advanced Education and the Government of BC commit to funding a total of 40 veterinary students under the Inter-Provincial Agreement in each year for four years at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Government recognizes the importance of access to veterinary medicine in the province and was pleased to announce funding in April 2022 to increase the number of British Columbia students beginning their training this fall at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine WCVM. Ongoing funding for the additional 20 veterinary student spaces will be considered as part of the regular budget process for Budget 2023. The Ministries of Agriculture and Food and Advanced Education and Skills Training continue to work closely with key stakeholders on other initiatives to address high-demand regions and specialties. For example, starting in fall 2023, there will be an agriculture-focused admission stream for 15 percent of BC seats, for students with an interest in a career in rural mixed animal practice. Government has also added veterinarians and veterinary technologists to the list of priority occupations under the Provincial Nominee Program, helping to ensure clinics have the professionals they need to provide animal care. Stakeholders such as regional districts and municipalities have a role to play in engaging with WCVM and the Society of BC Veterinarians to find ways to increase veterinarian care in their communities, such as through clinical placements for summer students and supports for veterinarian clinics