Saskatchewan hoping to attract more veterinarians and vet techs to the industry

The Province is expanding the eligibility for the Saskatchewan Loan Forgiveness program for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technologists.

Under the program now, any Saskatchewan veterinary practice that offers veterinary services to livestock stakeholders from rural or remote communities is now eligible.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says the program is intended to help attract veterinary professionals to work in rural areas by forgiving a portion of their Saskatchewan Student Loan debt for up to five years or a maximum of $20,000.

The change includes but is not limited to, ambulatory service delivery. 

This expansion is in addition to designated communities previously announced in 2021, and the service threshold continues to be a minimum of 400 hours of services over a twelve-month period.

Marit made the announcement this morning at the farm of Arnold Balicki, Chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association. 

Balicki says the SCA is pleased to see the changes which now allow clinics in larger centres such as Prince Albert, who also serve rural clients, to now qualify.

Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant says the changes are a positive step forward in addressing the need for veterinarians and veterinary technologists in rural and under-serviced communities in Saskatchewan.

Marit noted that the veterinarian shortages in rural Saskatchewan will take ongoing collaboration to resolve and the Province takes this issue seriously and is committed to continuing to find additional solutions.