
‘It is a good step’: $194M to vet school welcomed, but Sask. vets say staffing crisis persists
A renewed investment in veterinary education is being welcomed in Saskatchewan, where clinics are grappling with staff shortages, growing caseloads and long wait times — and where people in the industry say solving the problem will take more than just funding.
“There’s a shortage of veterinarians right across Canada… with COVID, pet populations doubled approximately, but the number of vets has only changed marginally,” said Dr. Peter Surkan, a Prince Albert-based veterinarian and co-owner of Park Range Veterinary Services.
“So it’s created burnouts and long wait lists.”
On Thursday, the governments of Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Manitoba announced a five-year, $194-million agreement to fund the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon. WCVM is one of five veterinary colleges in Canada and the only regional institution serving Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and the northern territories.