A group of veterinary medicine students in white lab coats stand around a stainless steel exam table with an anatomically correct model of a small pig on it showing the animal's musculature.

Students urged to consider veterinary medicine

Canada’s agriculture industry finds itself in dire need of qualified health professionals to care for livestock

Alberta government makes $86.5 million investment in University of Calgary to double capacity for its veterinary medicine program to address labour shortages in the field.

The University of Calgary and Government of Alberta announce the grand opening of the Veterinary Learning Commons (VLC) building at UCalgary’s Spy Hill Campus on Monday, September 15, 2025. This facility, along with operational support, enables the doubling of capacity at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from 50 seats to 100 FLE seats per year.

Speakers:
•Dr. Renate Weller will welcome guests and provide remarks on behalf of UCVM.
•Hon. Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education, will provide remarks.
•Hon. RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, will provide remarks.
•Dr. Ed McCauley will provide remarks on behalf of the University of Calgary. 
•Dr. Lindsey Kurach will provide remarks on behalf of Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
•Dr. Jodi Viste will provide remarks on behalf of the DVLC and Stakeholder Advisory Boards.
•Meagan Bradbury will provide remarks on behalf of UCVM students.

Veterinary college expands to meet need

Provincial funding doubles student capacity at University of Calgary’s veterinary medicine program

Alberta government invests nearly $70 million at University of Alberta to double student capacity of veterinary program to address provincial shortage of professionals in the field to aid many sectors including agriculture for livestock.