Andrew Thomson is writing a $15 million cheque to Western Canada’s veterinary college a couple of years early.
Thomson, Saskatchewan’s learning minister, said that while the provincial government had committed to provide the money later, this year’s oil and gas revenues and an improved federal transfer payment schedule made “this and a few other agriculture issues fundable now.”
Chuck Rhodes, dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, said the money was necessary to trigger federal funding for the college’s $42 million expansion.
“With this money in the bank we are entering our final phase of fundraising, seeking that final $5 million to fully fund the expansion,” Rhodes said.
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Created in the early 1960s, Western Canada’s only veterinary school is funded by the four western provinces, based on the number of students from each jurisdiction.
Rhodes said having the money in place will help the University of Saskatchewan college when it is reviewed by the American Veterinary Medical Association for its licensing accreditation next spring.
Two years ago, the association had warned the school that it needed to improve its facilities to maintain standards.
Thomson said the government hopes the early payment will aid the school in fundraising efforts and send a signal to the other provinces that Saskatchewan stands fully behind the WCVM.
He said the announcement of a new veterinary school to be built in Alberta is “quite a bit away from becoming a reality” and the early investment should also show producer groups, research funders and potential staff and students that the Saskatoon college is going to be “one of the very best, cutting edge facilities in North America when this is complete.”
Thomson plans to meet with his Alberta counterpart soon to discuss Alberta’s plans for another school and the expansion at the WCVM.
