10-year deal signed for Atlantic Veterinary College

P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says a 10-year funding agreement for the Atlantic Veterinary College has been signed by the four Atlantic provinces.

Ghiz made the announcement following a meeting of the Atlantic premiers Monday in St. John's.

The premier said the college, located in Charlottetown at the University of Prince Edward Island, has previously had much shorter deals. He said the constant negotiations made it difficult for long-term planning.

"Really the best part of today's signing was that it's for the next 10 years," said Ghiz. "I have gone through many of these agreements before and normally they were only one- or two-year agreements."

"So we've been working hard over the last number of years to be able to provide some security for the vet college and this 10-year deal will be something that will provide that."

Ghiz said the veterinary college funding from the provinces amounts to about $20 million. It's based on the number of seats that each province has for its students.

He said the agreement has a proviso for increased funds into the future depending on goals around research and development being met.

The premier noted the deal has been in the works for some time but a leadership race in Newfoundland and Labrador and an election in New Brunswick may have slowed down progress.

Ghiz said his successor as premier won't have to worry about an agreement for several years and he adds the deal bodes well not only for the vet college but also for the University of Prince Edward Island.