Ontario Protecting Northern and Rural Livestock Producers

Province expanding eligibility and modernizing the Veterinary Assistance Program to support Ontario’s agriculture sector

The Ontario government is modernizing the Veterinary Assistance Program (VAP) by expanding eligibility and streamlining the application process to ensure livestock producers in Northern and rural Ontario have reliable access to veterinary care. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, these changes will help strengthen the province’s agri-food sector and support the vital work of veterinarians to safeguard livestock health.

“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is protecting Northern and rural Ontario’s agriculture sector by cutting red tape and streamlining this vital program to help the industry thrive,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “The Veterinary Assistance Program has a long history of supporting veterinarians and farmers, and this redesign is an important first step in strengthening the program to better support agricultural production.”

Ontario’s agri-food sector supports more than 867,000 jobs and contributes $51.4 billion to the province’s GDP. By expanding eligibility, updating compensation rates and opening applications to all eligible veterinary practices, the province is taking action to help the livestock industry remain competitive and resilient.

First introduced in 1945, the Veterinary Assistance Program provides financial support to veterinarians delivering care to animals on farms across Northern and rural Ontario, including support for locum assistance, travel and continuing education costs. In 2024, the province completed the first formal review of the program since 2004, engaging veterinarians, producers and sector partners to identify opportunities to improve access, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Updates to the Veterinary Assistance Program will take effect on April 1, 2026, and include:

• Expanding eligibility so all veterinary practices providing services in eligible areas can apply
• Streamlining the application process by allowing veterinary practices to submit applications directly to the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth
• Recognizing registered veterinary technicians as eligible participants
• Adding honeybees and fish as eligible livestock
• Increasing the call compensation rate for isolated veterinarians by nine per cent and increasing the per kilometre compensation rate for non-isolated veterinarians by an additional 30 cents, while also making telemedicine an eligible expense
• Updating budget allocations to ensure available funding is fully utilized

“This initiative, together with others like the Veterinary Incentive Program, is making it easier for farmers and large animal owners to access veterinary care when and where they need it,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Veterinary services are essential to the strength of Ontario’s agri-food sector and our government is working to address the challenges farmers face in northern and rural communities to protect our province’s livestock industry.”

Through these changes, Ontario is ensuring veterinary practices have fair and equitable access to program funding while maintaining essential services for livestock producers. Veterinary practices may begin submitting applications for the 2026-27 round of funding in late March 2026.

Ontario will continue working with farmers, producers and veterinarians to explore further enhancements to the Veterinary Assistance Program as part of its ongoing commitment to protect Ontario’s agri-food sector and build stronger, more resilient northern and rural communities.

Quick Facts

• VAP was established in 1945 by Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and was transferred to the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth in 1997.
• Veterinarians were previously nominated to the program through the Veterinarian Services Committees and the Northern Producer Animal Health Network. Beginning in late March 2026, veterinary practices can submit an application directly to the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth.
• Beyond VAP, Ontario also supports access to veterinary services through its Veterinary Incentive Program. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 over five years to newly licensed veterinarians practicing in underserviced areas of Ontario that provide care to animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.