A new veterinary education facility is set to take shape in Thunder Bay, with $2 million in funding from the Ontario government allocated to Lakehead University to support its Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. The project, developed in partnership with the University of Guelph, aims to address the need for veterinary services in Northern Ontario, a region with a growing agri-food sector and limited access to animal care professionals.

The planned facility will offer students practical, hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, with dedicated space for housing livestock including cattle, horses, and sheep. It will also feature clinical areas designed to support animal health training and student learning. The funding, provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will be used both for construction and the purchase of specialized equipment required for veterinary instruction.

Northern Ontario’s agriculture industry currently provides employment to over 27,000 individuals and continues to expand. However, the region faces a persistent shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural and remote areas. The new program is designed to train students from Northern Ontario to help meet this gap and improve access to veterinary services in the region.

As of mid-2025, the NOHFC is shifting its funding priorities to more directly support economic resilience in the North. The revised approach will prioritize investments that address economic challenges—such as those created by shifting international trade dynamics—and that support long-term growth in key sectors. These changes reflect a broader effort to adapt to evolving economic conditions, while fostering sustainable development and job creation across Northern Ontario.

The new veterinary training facility at Lakehead represents one piece of this effort. By equipping future veterinarians with the skills and experience needed to work in rural and agricultural settings, the project contributes to the broader goal of strengthening the region’s economy and health infrastructure.

“Once completed, the large animal education facility at Lakehead University will serve as a key hub to train future veterinarians serving Northern Ontario,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By investing in this program, our government is helping address vet shortages across rural and remote communities while keeping the northern agri-food industry strong.”