Farmers protest privatization plans for vet services at N.B. legislature

New Brunswick farmers protested against the privatization of veterinary services.

Farmers from across New Brunswick took over downtown streets in Fredericton on Wednesday, leading a parade of tractors to the legislature protesting the Liberal government’s plan to privatize provincial veterinary services for large animals.

The plan also involves the potential phasing out of New Brunswick’s provincial veterinary laboratory, with a feasibility study underway to determine the future of where animals are monitored and studied for diseases.

The changes, outlined in March’s provincial budget, are meant to save $4 million annually against a $1.4 billion provincial deficit.

Both farmers and their supporters attended the protest.

“I’m a vegan, and I’m standing here with farmers,” said Andrea Mulder-Slater, one of more than 300 people who were on the lawn of the legislature. “I’m a Liberal, and I’m standing with Conservatives. But I believe that everyone here cares about animal health, and they care about animal well-being. And that’s what really matters.”

Premier Susan Holt spoke to some of the demonstrators on Wednesday morning prior to the legislature’s daily sitting, where the topic of veterinary services dominated question period.

“The Holt government in its arrogance and political calculations feel they can get away with this because farmers only represent a small portion of the vote in this province,” said interim Progressive Conservative Leader Glen Savoie during question period. “The premier clearly does not care because this is all political calculation for her.”

Holt said the changes would improve services, insisting none would be lost through privatization.

“The lab is staying in place, the pathologists are staying in place, the certification is staying in place,” said Holt. “We will look after the food security of this province, and we will make sure veterinary services that have struggled under the previous government will be strong and supported by a private sector veterinary model.”

The Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick said Wednesday’s demonstration at the legislature – the second since March’s budget – sent a clear message on a warm spring day where several farmers mentioned they would rather be in their fields and barns.

“Today’s turnout showed just how deeply New Brunswickers care about protecting the services that help keep animals healthy, food systems strong, and rural communities viable,” said Danielle Connell, president of the alliance. “This is not only an agricultural issue, it is a public interest issue that affects families, communities, businesses, and the future resilience of our province.”

Connell said the province would continue to hear from farmers throughout the summer, with the province planning to privatize vet services by next spring.

New Brunswick is one of only two Canadian provinces that still operate government-funded veterinary services, with the other being Newfoundland and Labrador. In New Brunswick, more than half of the services are for horses, with 27 per cent for commercial livestock, and 19 per cent centre for hobby farms and companion animals.

With files from CTV News’s Laura Brown and Sean Mott

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