Emergency events of the past decade have shown that veterinarians provide an essential service during times of crisis. Examples include the wildfire in Fort McMurray and the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Consider the following: 

1. Veterinarians provide care for farm animals and during a crisis / catastrophe, they can help to ensure our food supply remains viable. 

2. Veterinarians provide care for service animals that are critical for the safety and well being of those they serve including but not limited to the visually impaired, hearing impaired, those on the autism spectrum, diabetes, seizures, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and those with life threatening allergies.

3. Veterinarians provide ongoing care including the administration of vaccines that keep pets safe from rabies, Lyme disease, heart worms, fleas, ticks and other parasites some of which may be transmitted to people.

The stated points identify veterinarians are essential in providing service for those  who rely on support animals for safety and life-threatening conditions, those who contribute to the nation's food supply, and the general public who rely on standards that have been set to ensure domesticated animals do not transmit diseases to people.

Please support this petition to have our Prime Minister and Provincial Premiers table and pass an amendment to include veterinarians as an essential service.