Vet Jobs Canada

Canada – Often receiving the accolade as being one of the best places in the world to live, it now has a country wide policy of multiculturalism. A peaceful nation known for its great variety of seasons.

Famous for the 8th wonder of the world, the Niagara Falls. Canada can also offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to practice veterinary medicine to an exceptional level.

Canada has lots to offer vets in terms of employment. Clinical roles are wide and varied from city centres locations to more rural settings, there are relief Veterinary jobs or permanent roles to suit you.

General Practitioners have excellent work lives and if you want to move into a more specialist or senior role the avenues can be found quite easily. 

What are the Best Places for Veterinarians to Work in Canada?

Canada is a huge country, so there’s no shortage of places to build a veterinary career. Ontario has the highest concentration of roles by far. Toronto offers dense small animal and specialist work, while Ottawa blends urban practice with mixed-animal roles nearby.

British Columbia is a strong second in terms of job opportunities and lifestyle. Vancouver pairs city-based small animal work with easy access to the outdoors, a big draw for vets who want work-life balance alongside their career.
Beyond the two biggest markets, Alberta offers a genuine mix: urban practice in Calgary and Edmonton, plus large-animal work across its farming regions. Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces suit vets after a slower pace and close-knit communities. Whether you want a major city, a rural mixed practice, or something in between, we place vets right across the country. 

How Much do Vets Earn in Canada?

Veterinarians in Canada usually earn between CAD$100K-$150K per year or above for certain job roles. Veterinary technicians can expect to earn around CAD$21 – $40 per hour.

Other benefits can be included in these packages including, further training, insurance, membership fees, vehicles, accommodation and even flight/relocation assistance at times which is all worth more on top of your salary. Added incentives like commission earnings on top of a base salary can be included in contracts which make things quite lucrative.

What is the Work/Life Balance for Veterinarians in Canada?

Have you ever considered being able to just head skiing at the weekend? As you probably are already aware, working in the Veterinary industry and having a balance of work and life is sometimes hard to get right. 

In Canada practices expect you to work hard but it is important also to look after yourself mentally and physically, so activities are actively encouraged. 

The Canadian practices want Vets who will be able to stay in the industry and enjoy their work and time. Lots of roles offer employees perks such as further education and extended consult times which can be as long as 30 minutes per patient in general practice. If this is something that is important to you, you also may want to consider locum opportunities which offers flexibility in the workplace.

The Vet Service can help to liaise between the veterinarians and the practice to make sure the role is just the right fit for both the candidate and the employer.

Are Relocation Fees Available for Veterinary Jobs in Canada?

This is only relevant if you are moving from an international country but always consider relocation fees. This may be something you have to save for after deciding to make the move. Here at The Vet Service, we have many roles and veterinary practices that cover these costs for you and to help you financially settle into your new life in Canada as a Vet.

What are the Legal Requirements to Practice Veterinary in Canada?

To practice as or represent yourself as a Veterinarian in Canada please contact the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or equivalent in that province or territory to ensure you understand and fully comply with the registration requirements, relevant acts and regulations.

All applicants must satisfy the Council that they can communicate in and understand English to an appropriate standard for practising as a Veterinarian in Canada. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of English competency by sitting and passing an approved English test to the required level.

All vets will be expected to be registered with the CVMA and the local province, but International Vets will be required to have passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). For further details on this and what university degrees are accredited, please contact The Vet Service for further details.

Are Vets in Demand in Canada?

Yes, and the shortage is well documented. Veterinarians are officially recognised as a high-demand occupation across Canada, with far more new roles expected over the coming years than there are new graduates to fill them. The gap is widest in rural and mixed-practice work, though cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary are short-staffed too.

An ageing workforce, rising pet ownership and steady demand from Canada’s agricultural sector all add pressure. That’s good news if you’re considering the move: practices are actively recruiting overseas vets, and Canada’s immigration system reflects that ongoing need.

How Can I Move to Canada as a Vet?

1. Sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE), the standard licensing exam used across Canada and the US.
2. Register with the veterinary regulatory college in the province where you plan to work, each province runs its own.
3. Apply for the right immigration route; most vets go through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or an employer-sponsored work permit.
4. Secure a job offer from a Canadian practice, which strengthens most of these routes considerably.

We regularly help place vets relocating from the UK, Ireland, South Africa and beyond into Canadian practices. If you’re weighing up a veterinary jobs in Canada as a foreigner, please contact us and we’ll assess what’s realistic for your background.

What Visa do Vets Need to Work in Canada?

Before you start your vet job in Canada, you need to ensure that you have an appropriate visa if you are not a Canadian citizen. Please contact the Department of Immigration in Canada for further information.

The good news is that Veterinarians are in high demand in Canada as there is a skills shortage in this occupation. This makes the process of applying for temporary and full permanent residency much easier.

If you are aged between 18 and 30 years you may also be eligible for a working holiday visa for Canada. We can point you in the right direction for an appropriate Visa so get in touch for our full “Working in Canada” Document.

Veterinarian is classified under NOC 31103. Canada’s Express Entry system runs regular draws for in-demand roles, so it’s worth building a profile even before you have a job offer. Most vets move through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or an employer-sponsored work permit. A Canadian job offer strengthens most of these routes. If you’d rather test the waters first, Canada’s working holiday programme (International Experience Canada) is open to ages 18 to 35. The exact age cutoff depends on your nationality, so check your country’s agreement before applying.

Why Work as a Veterinarian in Canada?

• Veterinary is a well-respected profession in the country, with relocation packages often offered for international candidates. The average salary for a Canadian veterinarian is CAD$100K– $150K making it one of the highest-paying country for Vets to work in.
• The standard of living is rated second in the world for quality of life – with affordable living costs, a low crime rate and free healthcare for both citizens and permanent residents.
• The country has a brilliant outdoor lifestyle, with a dramatic landscape and distinct seasons that means you can enjoy snow sports, mountain biking, water sports and much more.