Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Calls for Urgent Action

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is urging federal and provincial governments to take immediate action on three escalating crises affecting Animal Health and Veterinary professionals. Severe shortages of essential medications including antibiotics, sedatives, and vaccines are limiting veterinarians’ ability to treat animals and jeopardizing food safety by forcing producers to rely on less effective alternatives. At the same time, Canada faces a shortage of several thousand veterinarians, a gap expected to persist until at least 2031 despite expanded training programs.

The CVMA calls for federal support to create a national testing centre to help internationally trained veterinarians enter the workforce more quickly. Compounding these issues are rising rates of burnout and mental health strain among veterinarians and technicians, which continue to push professionals out of the field. The CVMA emphasizes that addressing these challenges is essential for animal welfare, food security, and the sustainability of the Veterinary profession.