Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada

The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) is responsible for responding to emerging and future animal and zoonotic disease occurrences. The role was created in 2004 in recognition of the social, political, animal health, public health and economic consequences associated with those occurrences.

At the national level, the CVO provides:

• policy advice on animal and veterinary public health issues, by collaborating with Canada's veterinary colleges, the veterinary profession and the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada;
• support to assess and interpret disease occurrences in Canada and abroad;
• analysis of Canada's veterinary infrastructure and its ability to respond to national and global threats to animal and human health; and
• environmental scanning, international context and knowledge transfer to support the programs and policies of the Government of Canada.

The CVO is the primary contact for member countries of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), for animal and veterinary public health issues.

• International standards: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
• The consultation process

Dr. Brian Evans is the Chief Food Safety Officer and Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada.

Additional information:

• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
  • Veterinary associations and organizations
• International organizations
• Provincial and territorial governments
• Veterinarians without Borders