Alberta is introducing a new pilot grant program aimed at helping rural veterinary clinics recruit students and address ongoing shortages in livestock veterinary care.
The two-year, $250,000 Veterinary Student Recruitment and Retention Pilot Grant Program is designed to help rural clinics hire veterinary students for summer placements and encourage them to pursue long-term careers in those communities.
The initiative targets clinics that provide livestock veterinary services and either have a current veterinarian vacancy or expect one in the near future.
Albertans rely on veterinarians across the province, but demand is especially high in rural communities where access to veterinary care is critical for livestock producers.
Rural veterinary clinics can now apply for the pilot program. Eligible clinics will receive up to $10,000 as a wage incentive to hire one veterinary student who works at the clinic between May 1 and Aug. 31, 2026.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson said the program is intended to strengthen Alberta’s veterinary workforce and support the agriculture sector.
“We understand the urgency of the veterinary shortage in Alberta. Rural and mixed-practice veterinarians are essential to the well-being of our livestock and the sustainability of our agriculture sector,” Sigurdson said. “By investing in veterinary students, we are investing in the future of Alberta’s agriculture industry. More trained vets in Alberta means we are one step closer to ensuring every livestock producer has reliable access to veterinary care for their animals, and we can continue to be world leaders in animal health and food safety.”
Renate Weller, Dean of the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, said hands-on experience in rural clinics can help students build long-term connections with communities and strengthen the future of rural veterinary care.
“Helping rural practices to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences to our students will result in lasting connections and strengthen a resilient veterinary workforce that Alberta can rely on for years to come,” Weller said.
Dr. Jami Frederick, president of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, said rural communities depend on reliable access to veterinary care.
“Rural Alberta depends on accessible, quality veterinary care. Creating meaningful opportunities for students in rural practice helps build lasting connections and supports a strong, sustainable workforce,” Frederick said. “This is an important step toward addressing the veterinary shortage where it’s felt most.”
Funding for the initiative comes through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments aimed at supporting innovation, competitiveness and resilience in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Of the total funding, $1 billion supports federal programs while $2.5 billion is delivered through cost-shared initiatives funded 60 per cent by the federal government and 40 per cent by provinces and territories.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said veterinarians play an important role in supporting livestock producers and rural communities.
“This program helps vets plant roots and helps producers do what they do best – providing safe, high-quality food while building the rural communities that help drive Canada’s economy,” MacDonald said.
A 2021 report from the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association highlighted significant shortages in the veterinary profession.
While the provincial job vacancy rate is about three per cent, the report found vacancy rates for veterinarians were nearly 17 per cent, rising to almost 19 per cent in rural areas.
Based on current attrition rates and growing demand for veterinary services, the report estimated Alberta will need more than 1,600 new veterinarians by 2035.
