Veterinarians in British Columbia have until the end of the month to vote on increasing fees they pay to work in the province, a move their regulatory body says is needed to prevent it becoming insolvent.
The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia says it is projected to become insolvent in May 2026 if the fees, including those for private practice registration, don’t increase.
The new proposed annual private practice registration fee would jump to $1,900, up from the current fee of $1,395, which the college says was set in 2011.
It says registrants have been asked three times to vote on increasing annual registration fees — in 2012, 2019, and 2023 — but all three were declined.
A post on the college’s website explaining the vote says it sustained deficits in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, amounting to a cumulative deficit of almost $1.2 million.
Voting stated on July 28 and members have until Aug. 29 to cast their ballot online.
“The college is projected to become insolvent in May 2026, at which time veterinary medicine in British Columbia will necessarily cease to be a regulated profession under the college,” the online statement says.
“Only the provincial government has the authority to regulate professions or delegate the regulation of a profession. It is unknown to the college what, if any, action the provincial government will take upon the insolvency of the college or in anticipation thereof.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2025
