The University of Calgary is expanding their veterinary program.

The Alberta Government invested in the program through a $7.2 million grant under Budget 2018, where $327,000 has been allocated to post-secondary institutions.

The money will be used for a new animal lab and clinical spaces, an expanded surgery suite, new student and teaching spaces, and a large lecture hall.

President and Vice-Chancellor of U of C, Elizabeth Cannon, says their school of veterinary medicine is ranked among the top 50 in the world.

"This increased funding provided by the government will allow more Albertans to study and train in their home province, as well as ensure that we meet the growing needs of rural and remote communities."

Alberta Minister of Advanced Education, Marlin Schmidt, says they've focused on this program so the agriculture sector and province can prosper.

"Supporting the University of Calgary's school of veterinary medicine helps us prepare more students in our province for good jobs as veterinarians."

The expansion of the program is part of the University's commitment to build the program capacity to more than 200 students by 2023.

It's estimated Alberta will need 1,100 vets by 2023 to meet labour market needs.

 

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