SHELLBROOK — The Saskatchewan government announced on Tuesday it is expanding eligibility for the Saskatchewan Loan Forgiveness for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technologists.
According to the province this program is to attract veterinary professionals to rural areas by forgiving a portion of their Saskatchewan Student Loan debt for up to five years, to a maximum of $20,000.
Any Saskatchewan veterinary practice offering veterinary services to livestock stakeholders from rural or remote communities is now eligible, including but not limited to ambulatory service delivery.
This is in addition to the designated communities previously announced in 2021 when the program was first announced. The service threshold continues to be a minimum of 400 hours of services over a 12-month period.
"We recognize that the veterinarian shortages in rural Saskatchewan will take ongoing collaboration to resolve," Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a statement. "The government of Saskatchewan takes this issue seriously and is committed to continuing to find additional solutions."
"This expansion will ensure that veterinary professionals providing services to smaller communities are eligible for the program," Advanced Education Minister Gordon S. Wyant said in a statement. "It is a positive step forward in addressing the need for veterinarians and veterinary technologists in rural and under-serviced communities in Saskatchewan."
"The SCA is very pleased with the government's announcement today regarding changes to the loan forgiveness program for vets and vet techs," said Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association chair Arnold Balicki in a news release.
"Our industry, like many others, is facing a shortage of vets which can negatively impact our industry, our ability to expand, our need for an established vet/client relationship for access to drugs and even animal welfare.
“We had raised concerns with the government previously around the qualifying parameters for this program. We truly appreciate that they took our concerns to heart and made the necessary changes to allow clinics in larger centres such as Prince Albert, who also serve rural clients, to now qualify."
