The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is looking for some immediate help in attracting veterinarians to northwestern Ontario.
It suggests the province consider an incentive program, similar to one used to entice vets into large animal medicine.
That program provides financial incentives to recent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates to practice large animal medicine in northern and rural areas.
The program accepts up to 20 participants per year with funding for up to five years per participant.
Director of Government Relations, Drew Woodley, says in its first year, only 82% of its budget was spent.
Speaking to a legislative committee holding a pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay, Woodley suggests using the program’s unspent dollars on funding an incentive programs for other vets.
“The provincial government can redirect the Veterinary Incentive Program’s annual unspent funds to a new companion animal access program, effectively funding two programs for the price of one and providing a much-needed source for support for veterinary access in underserved areas, including Northern Ontario,” says Woodley.
To fill the immediate staff shortage, some clinics are being kept open by vets from other communities, who have been enticed by financial incentives.
Regional Director Shawna Beaulieu says it has been roughly $40,000 over what clinics in southern Ontario have done, along with other signing and retention incentives.
“Without these incentives, positions remain vacant and access to care disappears,” says Beaulieu.
A new veterinarian program is being established that will see students begin classes at Lakehead University before finishing at Guelph University.
The first students will enroll this fall in Guelph because Lakehead will not be in a position to accept students until 2028.
“One of the challenges, though, is it’s going to be several years before those veterinarians are in a position to practice,” says Beaulieu.
“It is a good long-term solution, but doesn’t address the more immediate need.”
Beaulieu says it is important to have incentives in place so clinics can ensure those students return to northern Ontario after graduation.
