Dr. Timothy Arthur
President,
CVMA
Veterinarians play a crucial role in protecting animal health and ensuring a safe food supply, but Canada faces a severe workforce shortage.
Veterinarians play a crucial role in protecting companion and large animal health and wellness and ensuring a safe food supply for Canadians. Unfortunately, Canada is experiencing a severe workforce shortage of veterinary professionals, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Workforce Study, released in 2020, revealed that the five Canadian veterinary colleges were only graduating enough veterinarians to replace those who retired. Given the growing national population and the fact that households continue to add more companion animals and livestock to their families, we’re left with a deficit in the number of veterinary professionals servicing our country. According to the Canadian Occupational Projection System, veterinarians are expected to face labour shortage conditions at the national level until 2031.
What’s the impact?
This shortage has resulted in numerous negative consequences, including increased pressure on veterinary teams to spread themselves thin to provide quality care to the animals they serve. “This ongoing stress from being overworked has contributed to rising rates of burnout, mental illness, and feelings of being overwhelmed,” says Dr. Timothy Arthur, CVMA President.
This ongoing stress from being overworked has contributed to rising rates of burnout, mental illness, and feelings of being overwhelmed.
A 2020 study showed that one in five Canadian veterinarians and technologists reported suicide ideation, burnout, and depression — a higher rate than the average Canadian. Along with personal and professional effects, these negative experiences often lead to members of the veterinary health care team leaving the profession, contributing to the workforce shortage.
Furthermore, along with many other Canadian businesses, the veterinary medicine profession has also been affected by inflation and product/service increases, which impacts clients. See this CVMA article to help understand the cost of veterinary care.
What can you do to help?
Please be patient with your veterinary team. They’re doing their best to provide quality care and service to you and your animals. Veterinary staff care about the animals they treat and want to ensure the best outcomes for them all. Try to book regular veterinary check-ups well in advance, be sure to place medication or food orders well before you run out, and understand that securing urgent and same-day appointments is increasingly difficult during this time. As well, please feel empowered to discuss cost concerns so you and your veterinarian can work out a plan that’s affordable for you while still providing your animal with the care they need.
What is the CVMA doing to help?
The CVMA has consistently acted to address the workforce shortage over the last four years. Along with many other initiatives, including advocating on Parliament Hill, the CVMA has called on the government to help address the shortage via three recommendations. It requests that the federal government:
- Ensure there’s a robust veterinary workforce through additional investments for projects and veterinary infrastructure;
- Invest in the mental health of all veterinary professionals; and
- Invest in ways to maintain and strengthen the availability of critical veterinary drugs in the interest of protecting public health and safety, animal health and welfare, and food safety and security.
The CVMA is committed to providing a voice and support to Canadian veterinary professionals as they work to sustain and enhance animal health and welfare, veterinary public health, and the well-being of all.
Find out more about the CVMA and its efforts at canadianveterinarians.net.
