Alberta – A new provincial initiative is aiming to address the growing shortage of veterinarians in rural communities by encouraging students to build their careers outside major urban centres.
Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the two-year, $250,000 Veterinary Student Recruitment and Retention Pilot Grant Program will support rural veterinary clinics in hiring students during the summer months.
Eligible clinics can receive up to $10,000 to hire a veterinary student between May 1 and Aug. 31, 2026, helping provide hands-on experience while introducing students to rural practice.
The demand for veterinarians remains especially high in rural Alberta, where access to veterinary care is critical for livestock producers and the broader agricultural economy. Communities such as Two Hills continue to feel the impact of these shortages.
“Alberta’s ranchers take the health and well-being of their livestock seriously, and veterinarians in rural communities are an essential part of their operations,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Provincial officials say the program is designed not only to fill short-term gaps, but to encourage long-term retention of veterinarians in rural areas.
“We understand the urgency of the veterinary shortage in Alberta,” said RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “By investing in veterinary students, we are investing in the future of Alberta’s agriculture industry.”
Industry leaders also emphasized the importance of early exposure to rural practice in building a sustainable workforce.
Renate Weller, Dean of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, noted that hands-on experience in rural settings helps students form lasting connections that can influence where they choose to work after graduation.
According to workforce data, Alberta faces a significant shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas, with vacancy rates far exceeding the provincial average. Demand is expected to grow in the coming years, with projections suggesting the province may need more than 1,600 new veterinarians by 2035.
For more information visit the Government of Alberta website at www.alberta.ca/veterinary-student-recruitment-and-retention-pilot-program.
