The federal government is eliminating approximately 665 positions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and closing or reducing operations at seven agricultural research facilities, affecting 1,050 employees.
The cuts were approved through the federal cabinet expenditure review process and will impact facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, including the Lacombe Research and Development Centre, the Indian Head Research Farm and the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.
What’s being cut
The positions include plant breeders, soil and water scientists, animal nutritionists, pathologists, pest specialists, field trial technicians and data scientists, according to the Alberta Federation of Agriculture.
“This is not trimming bureaucracy,” said Aaron Stein, executive director of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture. “This is Ottawa dismantling the scientific engine that allows Canadian farmers to compete. You cannot talk about food security, climate resilience or export growth while firing the scientists who make all three possible.”
Impact on research facilities
The Lacombe Research and Development Centre, founded in 1907, focuses on beef, forage and crop-livestock systems research. The Indian Head Research Farm in Saskatchewan handles Prairie crop breeding, soil conservation and sustainable farming systems. The Swift Current Research and Development Centre works on wheat, durum and pulse breeding and Prairie soil conservation.
Keith Degenhardt, an Alberta Federation of Agriculture board member, said the cuts will reduce competitiveness and productivity.
“Research is the backbone of innovation and sustainability in agriculture,” said Degenhardt. “The loss of research will reduce the competitiveness and productivity of farmers across Canada.”
Return on investment
Canadian and international studies show agricultural research generates long-term benefits through higher yields, lower production costs, reduced crop losses and stronger export performance, according to the federation.
“Multiple Canadian and international studies have shown that a one-dollar investment in agricultural research can return more than ten dollars to the economy over the long term,” said Degenhardt.
The United States funds its Agricultural Research Service at roughly $1.6 to $1.8 billion USD annually and operates more than 90 research locations. Australia invests more than $3 billion AUD annually through combined federal funding and industry-led research corporations.
What the federation wants
The Alberta Federation of Agriculture is calling on the federal government to halt layoffs affecting agricultural research staff, restore and expand funding to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research programs, disclose which research programs are being eliminated or downsized, and engage Western Canadian producers in rebuilding agricultural science capacity.
Neither Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada nor the federal government has provided justification tied to scientific performance, farmer need or regional impact for the cuts, according to the federation.
