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CVMA Meets with Liberal MP to Advocate for Workforce Support
January 13, 2025
CVMA Meets with Liberal MP to Advocate for Workforce Support
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) met with the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Vanier, Ont., in December to discuss the pre-budget recommendations the CVMA submitted to the federal government in advance of the 2025 federal budget. Minister Fortier is the key player who will influence the 2025 Liberal platform.
The CVMA emphasized that veterinarians are crucial to public health and safety, from ensuring food safety and controlling zoonotic diseases to supporting agricultural and pet industries, which together contribute billions to the domestic economy and international trade. With 60 per cent of Canadian households owning pets and over 127,000 farms owning livestock and poultry, veterinarians play a significant role in enhancing the well-being of our communities.
The current veterinary workforce shortage presents many national challenges, like mental health issues, that affect all veterinarians, including those employed by the federal government in departments such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Working together, the CVMA and the government can strengthen veterinary services across Canada.
The CVMA’s three recommendations will help protect food safety and security, manage disease control and prevention, and contribute to the Canadian economy via the agricultural and livestock industry, agricultural exports, and veterinary industry revenues.
The CVMA also brought attention to the letter signed by 12 organizations representing the veterinary profession and agricultural section calling for the need for funding towards a National Testing Centre for internationally trained veterinarians, as well as a white paper presented in partnership with 15 national stakeholders from across the agricultural sector calling for the improved access to veterinary pharmaceuticals, veterinary health products, livestock feeds, and veterinary biologics.
The CVMA is committed to continuing to work with the government, as we seek opportunities to meet with other major federal parties, to achieve the goals outlined above.