As in previous years, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) was pleased to be present at the annual convention of the Ordre de médecins vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ), which took place on October 17 and 18, 2003, in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. Dr. Claude Pigeon, the Quebec representative on the CVMA Council, and CVMA staff were in attendance at the CVMA booth to answer queries regarding National Benchmarking and other CVMA programs. In addition, the Association was well-represented by Dr. Duane Landals, CVMA president, Dr. Paul Boutet, a member of the CVMA Executive and chair of the Professional Development Committee, and Mr. Jost am Rhyn, CVMA executive director.
Dr. Landals was invited by Dr. Christiane Gagnon, president of the OMVQ and a past-president of the CVMA, to deliver a speech during the banquet held the evening of Saturday, October 18, which was attended by 350 delegates. Dr. Landals referred to the importance of one voice — the CVMA — representing all Canadian veterinarians in national and international issues and in animal welfare. He noted that many Quebec veterinarians are directly involved in the CVMA, including the following:
Dr. Christiane Gagnon: a CVMA past-president; the CVMA representative on the Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) Steering Committee on the Survey of Drug Use in Animals; nominated by the CVMA to serve on the new Health Council of Canada.
Dr. Conrad L'Ecuyer: the CVMA treasurer; the CVMA representative on the VDD Stakeholder Committee; the CVMA representative to the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC).
Dr. Diane Frank: the CVMA Council member representing the Atlantic Veterinary College and the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire; delegate to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC); member of the CVMA Student Liaison Committee.
Dr. Mario Comptois: member of the CVMA Business Management Committee.
Dr. Bernard Vallee: chair of the CVMA National Issues Committee.
Dr. Marie-Andrée Laniel: the CVMA representative on Canadians for Health Research.
Dr. Jean Pierard: Member of the XXIII World Veterinary Congress Foundation, together with Dr. L'Ecuyer.
Dr. Claude Pigeon: a CVMA Council member; chair of the 2004 CVMA Convention Host Committee.
Dr. Sylvie Latour: chair of the CVMA National Examining Board (NEB).
Dr. Landals further noted that the 2004 CVMA Convention will take place from July 7 to 10 in Quebec City, right before the World Buiatics Convention. The CVMA is working with the OMVQ in cross- promoting these 2 events. The CVMA will present a NEW convention concept, including wet labs; an open Summit with international speakers; interesting sessions with Dr. Diane Frank; a 3-day stream of Successful Practice of Veterinary Medicine for the entire practice team, including veterinarians, managers, technicians, and other staff (Dr. Mario Comptois and Dr. John Tait are part of the task force developing this continuing education [CE] component); and a “Soirée Nouvelle France.” The CVMA is looking forward to greeting all veterinarians in July in beautiful Quebec City.
From left to right: Dr. Duane Landals, Dr. Christiane Gagnon, Mr. Réjean Pedneault (OMVQ registrar) and Dr. Claude Pigeon.