Renewed agreement with Western College of Veterinary Medicine ensures seats for Manitoba students
The Manitoba government is renewing its partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and increasing its financial commitment to ensure more Manitobans can access veterinary training.
Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the updated agreement last week, which includes a $8.3-million investment for 2025-26.
“By renewing this agreement, our government is stepping up with additional investments to train more Manitobans at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Cable. “We’re working with other provinces to support animal health so that our agriculture sector can continue to grow and thrive.”
The multi-party agreement includes the governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, along with the University of Saskatchewan.
“Farmers navigating animal health issues such as avian influenza rely on the expertise of veterinarians as a necessary part of ensuring the health of livestock,” said Kostyshyn. “High standards of health in veterinary medicine are key not just for the safety of animals but for our economy as well.”
The WCVM, based in Saskatoon, is the only veterinary college in Canada that guarantees dedicated seats for Manitoba students. As the premier centre for veterinary education and research in Western Canada, it plays a critical role in training future veterinarians with expertise in both animal and public health.
“There is strong demand for veterinarians across the province,” said Cable. “This partnership agreement to support training Manitobans is helping meet this need.”
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff also praised the college and its interprovincial role.
“We are proud of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the exceptional education opportunities it provides to veterinary students from across Western Canada,” he said. “We are grateful to have this internationally recognized college right here in Saskatchewan and are fully confident in USask’s ability to produce highly skilled veterinarians to care for both our livestock and companion animals.”
The renewed agreement aims to bolster veterinary capacity across the region and support the growing demands of agriculture, animal care, and rural communities.
