There is growing concern in Canada's veterinary community of a lack of vets within the profession as demand for animal care increases, as well as increasing difficulty of accessing drugs for treatment of animals.
On the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) website, numbers from the Canadian Occupational Projection System show expected job openings for veterinarians are expected to total five thousand, while the number of job seekers are around 4,300. It also noted the profession is expected to face labour shortages at a national level until the year 2031.
During an appearance before the Commons Agriculture Committee, Tracy Fisher, President of the CVMA, said despite increases to class sizes, graduation rates of Canadian veterinary and registered veterinary technician colleges "only marginally cover attrition rates."
Canada needs internationally-trained veterinarians to enter the workforce each year to keep up with demand, she added.
"This is why we are calling on the federal government to support the creation of a national testing centre for internationally educated veterinarians, allowing qualified professionals to enter the workforce more quickly and efficiently." Fisher told the committee.
While at Canadian Western Agribition last week, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Heath McDonald said he's had meetings with the World Veterinary Association and veterinary organizations in Canada about what can be done to address these issues.
McDonald also acknowledged the shortage of large animal veterinarians in particular and so did Provincial Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, who added the shortage is not exclusive to Canada.
"It's not just a Canada problem—it's a problem across the U.S. as well. When I meet with my colleagues in the U.S., the state ag secretaries, they're having the same issue as well." Harrison said.
Fisher said the workforce deficit is also causing burnout and mental health challenges, causing them to leave the profession.
"We recommend the federal government provide targeted funding to the provinces and territories to expand access to mental health and wellness supports for veterinary teams." she stated.
Fisher also noted the declining availability of animal medications such as antibiotics, sedatives, and vaccines.
She used the shortage of approved antimicrobial drugs for livestock, such as dairy cattle, swine, and poultry, as an example to explain how barriers to these drugs can cause a ripple effect through the supply chain.
"When veterinarians cannot access effective medications, food safety, food security, and animal welfare are all compromised. It can also contribute to antimicrobial resistance, as veterinarians are forced to rely on older and less effective treatments. In addition, there are very real animal health consequences that arise from a lack of effective medication.
To be blunt, without these medications, veterinarians cannot properly do their jobs, and animals, both companion and farmed animals, suffer. This is not an abstract problem. These shortages affect Canadians every day, from the price of milk, eggs, and meat at the grocery store to the treatment options available for their pets."
Fisher pointed to a change to Health Canada's Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, specifically on inspections, as a reason why medications are not available.
The Canadian Press reported the change requires manufacturing companies to have their facilities in other countries inspected by Canadian officials, but companies are not willing to navigate the regulations due to cost and already having approval in other countries. Health Canada said in a statement the change was made at the time to increase oversight of animal health products.
This, she says, has led to "the removal of older products from the market, often without replacement."
"This instability increases risks to animal welfare for all animals and puts Canadian livestock producers at a disadvantage compared to other G7 countries where these products remain accessible. We are urging Health Canada to work more closely with other trusted international regulators to create more efficient shared pathway approvals that reflect our integrated North American and global supply chains." Fisher added.
Despite the current challenges, she said the veterinary community remains proud to serve Canadians and is committed to continue to providing "outstanding and compassionate care to all animals, big or small, furred, feathered, or scaled."
"But to continue to do so, our patients and our profession need your partnership and your support."
