FedNor funds will support sustained access to veterinary expertise in Thunder Bay and across Northern Ontario.
March 31, 2026 - Thunder Bay, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
In a rapidly changing world, we are focusing on what we can control: building a stronger, fairer and more resilient Canada. Ensuring workers are empowered is essential to building a strong economy and supporting the workforce of today and tomorrow.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, today announced a FedNor investment of $1.5 million to help establish the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) at Lakehead University, one of Canada's first veterinary programs designed for Northern and rural agricultural economies.
Provided through the Northern Ontario Development Program, this investment will allow Lakehead University to purchase the specialized laboratory and research equipment required to launch the CDVMP. This partnership initiative with the University of Guelph will train future veterinarians with the goal of addressing the shortage of veterinary professionals living and working in Northern Ontario.
Starting in 2027, students will begin their studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay as part of the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and complete their training at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Graduates will receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph.
This joint venture will help anchor veterinary talent in the North. It will ensure sustained access to veterinary expertise to strengthen agribusiness, improve livestock health, and protect food production. The CDVMP will pave the way for increased agricultural productivity by expanding veterinary capacity and training veterinarians in biosecurity, herd management, and disease response. In partnership with Indigenous communities and businesses, the program will also deliver culturally relevant training related to livestock, food security, and economic development.
