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Federal Fall Economic Statement Summary
December 23, 2024
The 2024 Federal Fall Economic Statement tabled on behalf of the Minister of Finance and the federal government on December 16, 2024, outlines actions that could help the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s (CVMA) interests in addressing the veterinary workforce shortage.
The government has allocated $27.8 million towards a new Red Tape Reduction Office intended to streamline the regulatory system; establish measures to track, assess, and communicate the results of regulatory action; and improve accountability, oversight, and transparency in key sectors including medicine and health. This activity could advance the CVMA’s recommendation that the federal government invest in ways to maintain and strengthen the availability of critical veterinary drugs in the interest of protecting public health and safety, animal health and welfare, and food safety and security.
The federal government is also considering further measures to create a more nimble and resilient labour market that supports newcomer integration into their chosen professions, including removing the tax-exempt status of regulatory colleges that do not accelerate credential recognition and publishing a national credential recognition performance framework. This could be advantageous to the CVMA’s recommendation that the federal government ensure there is a robust veterinary workforce through additional investments for projects and veterinary infrastructure.
A sum of $600 million has been allocated to mental health and addictions services which could support the CVMA’s recommendation that the federal government address workplace shortages by investing in the mental health of all veterinary professionals.
Please see the highlighted sections of the report summary for more information about how the federal government’s future actions could positively impact the CVMA’s effort to address the national veterinary workforce shortage.