MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - A week after receiving approval from Mountain View County council, a resolution aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technologists in the province has also received backing from the county’s agricultural service board (ASB).
The resolution has been prepared by county councillor and veterinarian Gord Krebs for submission to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA). It calls for a number of things, including an increase in enrolment of students in the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine Faculty (UCVM).
Krebs, who sits on the ASB, told members the shortage of veterinarians is hurting the agriculture industry and the overall economy.
Expected to come before the RMA central zone meeting next week, the resolution calls on the association to take action, including urging the government of Alberta to “officially endorse new programs at UCVM that will help alleviate the rural veterinarian shortage crisis through actions that include development of a rural practitioner stream” and increase the number of Alberta training spaces for veterinarians by doubling the number of UCVM graduates from 50 to 100 students per year.
If passed at the provincial level, the resolution will be used by the association to call for government action.
There is currently 864 veterinary professional vacancies in Alberta – 377 veterinarians and 487 veterinary technologists.
During the Jan. 17 ASB meeting, Krebs said the lack of veterinarians and veterinary technologists is hurting the overall economy and the rural community viability.
“We are trying to get the government to recognize that there is a critical shortage of rural veterinarians,” said Krebs.
Board member Tietsia Huyzer said it is important to recognize that there is a shortage of veterinary technologists in the province.
“We can have all the vets but if we don’t have the techs then we are not getting anywhere either,” said Huyzer. “I know how the university was struggling already with upping the amount of students from 33 to 50. So now we want to double that number, but I’ve also learned in life that you aim high. It’s a nice target to have.”
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed public members.
Board members passed a motion to accept and support the resolution. Mountain View County council approved the same resolution on Jan. 12.
