Federal budget cuts hit agriculture research as AAFC closes facilities – SteinbachOnline.com

We are learning more about federal job and program cuts tied to the Liberal government’s budget mandate, which calls for a 15 per cent reduction target across all federal departments.  Here’s what we know …

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) has confirmed

The workforce is being reduced by approximately 665 positions,1043 affected letters are being issued. Details are being shared with employees first, in keeping with the Department’s obligations and out of respect for its personnel. As such, we do not have any additional information to share at this time.

Reports coming in indicate job losses affect a wide range of roles, including finance, human resources and research science across the country.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also closing several research facilities 

Reports suggest the Nappan Experimental Farm//AAFC Nappan Research Farm in Nova Scotia, the Quebec Research and Development Centre and the Guelph Research and Development Centre.

In Western Canada 

The Lacombe Research and Development Centre is being shut down, resulting in the loss of 100 positions.

The facility, established in 1907, is known for its work in livestock and meat production and crop sciences. Lacombe has played a key role in oat and pea breeding programs and integrated crop protection, particularly in weed science and plant pathology. Its forage and beef program focuses on economics, best management practices and sustainable meat production systems. The Beaverlodge Research Farm, which falls under AAFC operations, is home to the department’s national honey bee research program.

In Saskatchewan, estimates suggest 73 to 100 AAFC positions are being affected. 

AAFC funding for research at the Indian Head and Scott research farms is being cut. Staffing cuts are also being reported at AAFC facilities in Saskatoon, Melfort, Regina and Swift Current. 

The Indian Head Agricultural Research Farm is a satellite location for AAFC Swift Current. Indian Head was one of the first five research farms created by the Federal Government in 1887, when it was still the Northwest Territories.

The Scott Research Farm was established in 1906 and at the time was one of six new experimental stations established between 1906 and 1911.

Program Cuts

One of the programs being eliminated is the Organic and Regenerative Agriculture Program, at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre which was led by Myriam Fernandez.

Fernandez began her work at the Research Centre, focusing on plant diseases, including Fusarium head blight, root rot and leaf spot. In the late 1990s, her research shifted toward low-input and organic farming practices.

Her work has been described as instrumental in developing new practices to improve organic farming systems.

Will Oddie, president of Sask Organics, said the loss of the program would have a significant impact on the sector, noting that, unlike other commodity groups or commissions, organic producers do not have the financial resources to support independent research.

“The kind of work that Myriam Fernandez has been doing is extremely important to addressing a variety of issues within the organic community,” Oddie said. “If that is, in fact, the case that Myriam’s program is completely gone, that will be a real loss, as far as organics in Saskatchewan is concerned, and across the Prairies as well, because of course her work applies to the whole prairie region, really.”

Federal Agriculture Minister says it is important to evaluate programs

During a year-end interview in December, Golden West talked with the Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, about the proposed budget cuts.

MacDonald noted the Liberals ran on a campaign to be more fiscally responsible.

“So my job as a Minister and our team is to ensure that we do everything we can to maintain the programs that we have for farmers on the ground, and those programs that surround farmers on the ground that are important to them.”

MacDonald said it is important to evaluate existing programs, including how long they have been in place, whether they are being used and whether they are programs that could be delivered in partnership with academia.

He added that the federal government needs to better align its efforts and make more effective use of existing resources.

“We have Seeds Canada doing certain things. We have the GATE project, which is out in Winnipeg doing great stuff. We need to exploit that a little bit, and we need to align ourselves as a country and as provinces to ensure that we’re not wasting time on duplication.”

Other federal departments are also facing workforce reductions.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is expected to reduce its workforce by approximately 1,000 positions, affecting both executive and non-executive roles. The department’s overall workforce is projected to decline by about 840 full-time employees.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has also announced workforce adjustments, with 173 employees and 13 executives expected to be affected.