Office of the Chief Veterinarian

Last updated on January 5, 2024

The Chief Veterinarian (CV) is the senior animal health officer in BC. The CV is appointed by the Minister and has authority under BC’s Animal Health Act to respond to regulated diseases.

The Office of the Chief Veterinarian (OCV) provides leadership for animal health policy and programming, One Health, and One Welfare in British Columbia. OCV staff are responsible for provincial dairy, apiary, game farm, fur farm, and veterinary drug outlet licensing and inspections.

The CV is a member of the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers. The OCV collaborates within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and with other provincial ministries, the federal government, animal owners, and veterinary professionals, to build resilient animal health systems for BC.