Our mission as veterinary experts is to serve the public good by providing strategic direction through an integrated One Health approach, scientific assessment, information sharing and consensus building across governments.

The Council of Chief Veterinary Officer strives to ensure robust animal health status and safe food across Canada through the protection and promotion of animal health and welfare, the prevention, surveillance and control of animal disease and an effective and sustainable national veterinary infrastructure.   

Through collaboration and communication, the CCVO brings the experience and expertise of federal, provincial and territorial government veterinary services to bear on national issues of animal health and welfare, livestock production and public health. 

The Council of Chief Veterinary Officers (CCVO) as it exists today was formed in December of 2004. Prior to the CCVO, senior provincial, territorial and federal veterinarians met informally through numerous national committees, workshops and forums to share information on animal health and welfare, and to provide input into related national issues.

The Council is comprised of the Chief Veterinary Officer from each federal, provincial and territorial jurisdiction, or the person appointed by a jurisdiction to cover that role. 

By nature, animal health concerns often overlap species and jurisdictions and thus the CCVO strive to ensure harmonization and consistency of animal health and welfare approaches, policies, and information sharing across Canada.