National

New $1.4M fund aims to bring more veterinarians to rural B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Dec, 2024 12:36 PM

A new program is offering up to $25,000 to help clinics attract more veterinarians to the rural British Columbia.

Businesses can apply for a portion of the $1.4 million recruitment and retention program to support hiring bonuses for new veterinarians and technologists, or for highly needed services like extra staffing during calving and lambing season.

A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture says the money can also be used for advertising to recruit new staff, training to improve telemedicine capacity, and planning for the sustainable delivery of veterinary services in underserviced areas.

The program will be available in areas across the province but the ministry says there will be a priority for northern B.C.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the goal is to bolster the number of veterinarians in rural communities to provide essential support for livestock care, and strengthen food security in the province.

The Society of Veterinarians of B.C. has said there's a shortage of animal doctors in the province, especially for ranchers and farmers, and in 2022, the province doubled the number of seats it subsidizes at the University of Saskatchewan.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Silent vigil held at the BC legislature

Activists say a silent vigil was held at the B-C Legislature in memory of 16 women killed this year, an event coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Vigil organizer Vancouver Rape Relief says participants held up signs with the names of the women killed this year, along with a large banner that read "no more femicide."

Silent vigil held at the BC legislature

LifeLabs data breach report released after firm loses four-year bid to keep it quiet

A statement from the privacy commissioners of both Ontario and British Columbia says their joint report, completed in June 2020, found that LifeLabs "failed to take reasonable steps" to protect clients' data while collecting more personal health information than was "reasonably necessary."

LifeLabs data breach report released after firm loses four-year bid to keep it quiet

Trudeau, premiers to meet Wednesday after Trump trade threat

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the country's premiers will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the threat of steep new U.S. tariffs. The meeting will be held virtually at 5 p.m., the Prime Minister's Office said.

Trudeau, premiers to meet Wednesday after Trump trade threat

Canada may add more resources at the U.S. border after tariff threats: minister

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Canada is considering a number of measures at the American border, including additional resources. This comes after president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports unless action is taken to stem the flow of both migrants and illegal drugs crossing the border.

Canada may add more resources at the U.S. border after tariff threats: minister

Economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vancouver estimated at $157 M

Tourism body Destination Vancouver says Taylor Swift will bring an estimated $157 million economic impact to the city next week with the three final concert dates of the record-breaking Eras Tour. Destination Vancouver says the forecast includes $97 million in direct spending on items including accommodation, food and transport.

Economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vancouver estimated at $157 M

Violence in Montreal had nothing to do with pro-Palestinian cause: police chief

Montreal's police chief says it's "impossible" for protest organizers to prevent people bent on violence from infiltrating demonstrations. Fady Dagher says the organizers of Friday's anti-NATO protest in Montreal bear limited responsibility for the relatively small number of people who smashed windows during the demonstration.