This unique veterinary school will provide research into the detection, containment and eradication of diseases that can spread from species to species and affect humans, and prepare veterinary medical practitioners and researchers focused on food supply safety. The school will also specialize in producing large-animal veterinarians to address shortages of these types of specialists in the province.

"There is increasing concern about animal diseases and the threat that they pose to human health and - as we've experienced with BSE - economic prosperity," said Learning Minister Dr. Lyle Oberg. "This new program will bring Alberta to the leading edge in research into these kinds of diseases, as well as help meet our demand for large food animal veterinarians."

In keeping with the province's Campus Alberta vision for a seamless learning system, the new veterinary school will coordinate with other provincial animal-medicine programs in universities and colleges throughout the province.

The three-year program will be housed at the University of Calgary and will be linked closely with the university's Faculty of Medicine. It will accept its first students in September 2006 and is expected to graduate 30 veterinarians each year.

"The University of Calgary is pleased and honoured to be chosen for this important Alberta initiative," said U of C president Dr. Harvey Weingarten. "We are excited by this opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with the veterinarian, agriculture, wildlife communities and other post secondary institutions in our province and in Saskatchewan. Our program will provide the best training for our students. Our high standard of excellence in human health research will combine with the veterinary program to create a unique and innovative environment for human and animal health education and research."

Students who want to further specialize in animal disease research after graduation from this program may study at the University of Alberta, which currently houses Alberta's top schools in medical, animal health and food sciences research. Students may also take post-graduate studies in other areas of interest at the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan.

"The University of Alberta is pleased with this opportunity to build on its existing excellence in animal health sciences," said U of A president Dr. Rod Fraser. "With this announcement, the university will be able to continue its leading edge research into the underlying causes of animal diseases, which pose a threat to human health and safety. The University of Alberta is committed to the education of an even greater number of graduate students, who will work with industry and throughout the health system to ensure this province leads the world in animal health and food safety."

A steering committee made up of representatives from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Alberta colleges with animal health programs, the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, beef producers, cattlemen associations, and other stakeholders will be established to develop a program that will meet the province's rural practitioner and research needs.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon is currently the only institution in Western Canada that provides veterinary research and teaching services and programs, graduating mainly mixed and small-animal veterinarians. Alberta's new program will complement the existing WCVM program, which accepts 20 Albertans each year. Government will continue to provide funding of $4.5 million annually to support the WCVM.

"Our Association supports an enhanced veterinary curriculum that meets the long term needs of Albertans from both a public health and animal health and welfare perspective," said Dr. Dan Joffe, President-elect of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. "We look forward to working collaboratively with experts in the field to ensure a new college does just that."

The new Alberta program is expected to cost between $8.4 million and $12.4 million to operate annually.