A ground blessing ceremony led by Elder Gene Nowegejick and attended by university leadership, donors, and government partners on Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus signalled the ceremonial start of construction for a new animal education facility that will open in 2027.

Tuesday’s ground blessing ceremony marks more than the beginning of construction but fulfilling the need for more veterinarians in northwestern Ontario. MPP Trevor Jones, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness announced the province would be kicking in an additional $2 million dollars to what has already been committed to the project at the Thunder Bay university. “Once completed, the animal education facility at Lakehead University will serve as a key hub to train future veterinarians serving northern Ontario,” said Jones. “By investing in this program, our government is helping address vet shortages across rural and remote communities while keeping the northern agri-food industry strong.”

Lakehead has already raised 95% of its philanthropic goal of $12.9 million and is planning for a community-driven campaign this fall.