Saskatchewan and Manitoba increase funding to educate veterinarians at USask

Saskatchewan and Manitoba are addressing Western Canada’s urgent need for more veterinarians by increasing their funding to educate more students in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

During a news event at the WCVM on Sept. 29, Saskatchewan’s Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant (KC) and Agriculture Minister David Marit announced that Saskatchewan will increase its annual quota from 20 to 25 seats for the 2023-24 academic year.

On the same morning, Manitoba’s Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes and Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson also announced plans to add five seats to Manitoba’s annual quota for a total of 20 seats (fall 2023 entry).

“Further expanding USask’s capacity to train veterinarians will contribute to the sustainability of the profession and allow us to further enhance our leadership role in the veterinary sciences and in One Health,” said Provost and Vice-President Academic Dr. Airini (PhD).

“The increase in provincial funding is so appreciated, and it will allow us to deliver essential veterinary medical education, advance interdisciplinary collaboration and research, and amplify our contributions to the health and wellness of western Canadian communities.”