Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee

National Animal Health Strategy -
Its potential contribution to wildlife issues in Canada

• Context – Need for increased collaboration with domestic animal and human health
  • There is increasing impetus for those involved in public, wildlife and domestic animal health to work collaboratively due to the increasing interconnectedness of animal populations, the importance of preserving biodiversity for resilience, and the need to consider the impact of management decisions on other animal sectors.
  • This pressure will only increase due to the pace of climate change, urbanization, population growth and demographic changes. 
• Governance
  • The NAHS provides a forum to discuss roles and responsibilities, and develop options relating to governance as they relate to decisions and resourcing affecting human, ecosystem (wildlife) and domestic animal health.
• The NAHS provides the best opportunity to influence strategic directions being developed nationally by CCVOs and CMOHs.
• From a federal perspective, the NAHS is the most significant policy initiative moving forward, that could provide an opportunity to profile and broaden the priorities outlined in the NWDS.