Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine/

L’association canadienne de la médecine des animaux de laboratoire

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2025

64th CALAS ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

Join us at the CALAS Annual Symposium in Richmond, BC for our hosted and sponsored events!

CALAM Luncheon and Speaker Session – Tuesday May 6, 2025, 12:00-2:00pm

Registration is complimentary for CALAM Members – members do not need to be registered for the full symposium to attend the Luncheon.

Location: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

Room: Elmbridge Room

Session Title: Explore the Realities of Backyard Chicken Keeping with Dr. Gigi Lin

We are excited to announce an insightful session at the upcoming CALAM Luncheon titled "More Than Just Eggs", presented by Dr. Gigi Lin, DVM, dACPV. Based in Abbotsford, BC, Dr. Lin is a poultry veterinarian who provides diagnostic, consultation, and field services to both commercial and small flock poultry producers. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Lin is also a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.

In this session, Dr. Lin will share her extensive knowledge and experience in keeping backyard chickens, offering a veterinary perspective on the challenges and rewards.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Lin is passionate about animal agriculture and enjoys spending time with her cats, practicing feline therapy. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from an expert and deepen your understanding of poultry care.

Join us for a session that goes beyond the eggs! To reserve your seat, register here

CALAM-Sponsored Scientific Sessions at the CALAS Symposium

We are pleased to announce an exciting CALAM-sponsored program Tuesday May 6, 2025, 09:00am-12:00pm, focused on the theme of Animal Research Transparency. Join us for this thought-provoking and informative series of sessions!

Matt Ramsey, Director of University Affairs at UBC Media Relations, and Jamie Hall, Senior Manager of Communications at the Office of the VP, Research and Innovation at UBC, will be presenting on “Public Transparency Around Animal Research.”
Dr. Ivan Balansard, DVM, CNRS, and President of Gircor, will share insights on the “Evolution of Social Perception of Animal Research in France.”
Be sure not to miss our engaging panel session, “Opening the Doors to a Transparency Agreement in Canada,” led by Dr. Lucie Côté, President of CALAM. This discussion will feature two international panelists: Kirk Leech, Executive Director of EARA (UK), and Dr. Ivan Balansard, President of Gircor (France). We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas Prevot, staff scientist in the Neurobiology of Depression and Aging Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Dr Andrew Winterborn University Veterinarian at Queen's University as panelists. The results from the recent CALAM survey on Transparency in the Use of Animals in Science in Canada will be shared with the audience in this interactive session.

Please click here to learn more and register for the CALAS 64^th annual symposium, Richmond, BC.

CALAM AGM 2025

We are excited to announce the CALAM Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2025, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST.

We look forward to your participation and engagement during this important meeting. Register here.

CCAC National Workshop 2025

April 30 - May 1, 2025
Richmond, BC

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is pleased to invite you to the CCAC National Workshop 2025 in Richmond, BC, which will be held on April 30-May 1, 2025 at the Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport.

This two-day program offers extended time for in-depth discussions on crucial topics for all stakeholders. It includes dynamic plenaries and interactive breakout sessions where participants will engage, learn, and exchange ideas. This workshop is a must-attend for anyone involved in animal-based science.

Additionally, the workshop will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) Annual Symposium, providing a valuable opportunity to network and participate in all the activities scheduled throughout the week:

April 30, 2025 – CCAC Evening Reception
April 30-May 1, 2025 – CCAC National Workshop 2025
May 3-6, 2025 – CALAS/ACSAL Annual Symposium

The complete program and registration information will be available soon on the CCAC Upcoming Workshops page.

Past Events

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US IN JUNE FOR OUR LUNCHEON SESSION AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM AT THE CALAS/ACSAL SYMPOSIUM IN SASKATOON!

This year, CALAM welcomed Ernest Olfert, BA, DVM (1969), MSc (1975), University of Saskatchewan (UofS), as our luncheon speaker!


Dr. Ernie Olfert (L) with CALAM colleagues	CALAM Luncheon Presentation

Ernie presented his session "Advances in Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine 1970-2010" at TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, during the CALAM Luncheon. Attendees had the opportunity to network and ask Ernie all their burning questions about what's changed in Lab Animal Science.

Dr. Ernest Olfert, a distinguished veterinarian and academic, has made significant contributions to the field of veterinary medicine and animal welfare. He earned his BA and DVM in 1969, followed by an MSc in 1975 from the University of Saskatchewan (UofS). Dr. Olfert served as the Director of the Animal Resources Centre at UofS from 1975 to 2007 and as the University Veterinarian from 2007 to 2010.

A dedicated member of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine (CALAM) since 1982, Dr. Olfert has held various roles including director, newsletter editor, and reviewer of veterinary care standards. His involvement with the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) dates back to 1970, where he has been a national and associate member. He has regularly contributed to scientific programs at CALAS conferences, edited newsletters and training manuals, and chaired several national conference scientific and technical programs. His contributions extend to the awards and publications committees and local animal technician training initiatives.

Dr. Olfert's work with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) includes co-editing the "Guides to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals" in 1984 and 1993, contributing to guidelines on endpoints and euthanasia, and developing online training programs. He has been serving on assessment panels since 1971. As a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) from 1969 to 2013, he was involved in the Humane Practices Committee and Animal Welfare Committee, contributing to codes of practice for farm animals.

His commitment to the community is evident through his long-term involvement with the Saskatchewan SPCA, active membership in the Youth Science Foundation Saskatoon, participation in the Saskatoon Zoological Society, and producing a radio series about animals in 1983-84. Dr. Olfert's extensive career reflects his unwavering dedication to animal welfare and veterinary science.