Ottawa, Ontario (Rural Roots Canada) – Several agricultural research facilities have been shut down, and hundreds of jobs have been slashed following budget cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

A letter posted on Reddit from Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence Hanson to AAFC staff says some 665 jobs will be eliminated nationally. The letter says the cuts “will be achieved through attrition and workforce adjustment/career transition measures.” The cuts come following a review of the 2025 budget.

Among the centres being closed is The Lacombe Research and Development Centre in Lacombe, Alberta, which has been operating for more than a century.

In the letter, Hanson says the decisions taken were not easy ones to make.

“I want to emphasize that none of these difficult decisions were taken lightly. They have been guided by the need to ensure spending is sustainable and activities reflect the Department’s core mandate. These decisions were also based on the function of indeterminate positions and are not a reflection of the quality of the work done by employees. We value everyone’s contribution and dedication to serving Canadians and supporting the sector.”

In a statement to Rural Roots Canada, AAFC confirmed the job cuts and the closing of three research centres and four satellite research farms.

“Like other federal departments, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has identified savings over three years while remaining focused on its core mandate,” reads the statement. “At this point, we can confirm that AAFC’s workforce will be reduced by approximately 665 positions and that notices to the 1043 affected employees were issued on January 22.”

It adds, “As part of this process, AAFC will close three research and development centres – Guelph (ON), Quebec City (QC), and Lacombe (AB) – and four satellite research farms – Nappan, (NS), Scott (SK), Indian Head (SK) and Portage la Prairie (MB).”

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In a post on social media, Alberta MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, Jennifer Johnson, and Blaine Calkins, Conservative MP for Ponoka—Didsbury, issued a joint statement calling the decision to close the Lacombe RDC deeply upsetting.

“This station has served the interests of farmers and producers, agribusiness, and Central Alberta’s broader scientific community for decades,” it says, and blames the government’s “anti-rural agenda.”

In a news release, the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) says staffing cuts at AAFC threaten agricultural research capacity and ROI for farmers.

“These staffing cuts, and related impacts at AAFC research stations, represent a tremendous loss for Canadian agriculture,” said CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk. “It is a loss of not only expertise and people who have contributed to farmers’ success, but also of agricultural research capacity that is crucial to fuelling innovation and maintaining progress throughout the industry.”

Read the letter from Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson:

Colleagues,

On December 9, I shared an update on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) approach regarding the Government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER). At that time, I confirmed AAFC would be moving forward with the implementation of CER decisions in mid-January.

Over the past several weeks, senior management has been reviewing the decisions confirmed in Budget 2025 and their impacts on the Department. We have finalized our review and now have a way forward to reduce our spending over the next three years in a manner consistent with the Budget decisions.

Invoking Workforce Adjustment

AAFC’s workforce will be reduced by approximately 665 positions, including executive positions. This target will be achieved through attrition and workforce adjustment (WFA) / Career Transition measures. As such, the appropriate bargaining agents have been informed that 1,043 affected letters will be issued to both executive and non-executive employees. Notifications will occur on January 22, 2026.

What to expect

Indeterminate employees receiving WFA notices can expect the following:

• an invitation to a meeting, either one-on-one or in a group, with one or more of their Branch executives, where they will receive verbal notification of how they have been impacted;

• a follow-up email containing a comprehensive information package, including a formal notification letter and information pertaining to their individual circumstances; and

• details on resources that provide additional information and support.

If you receive a meeting invitation, you must prioritize that meeting. If you cannot attend at the time requested, you will need to contact the organizer to make alternate arrangements as soon as possible.

Once all impacted employees have been directly communicated with, Branch Heads will inform their employees by email that the notification process is complete. You should expect to receive that email by the close of business on January 22. In the days following the notifications, Branch Heads will also begin sharing additional details regarding the impacts on their branch operations.

Over the course of the coming weeks and months, we will work closely with bargaining agents to reduce involuntary departures. We will also support employees throughout this process using all the tools at our disposal, including through priority systems, voluntary departure programs as well as alternation for those wishing to continue to remain employed in the public service.

Impacted employees will be treated in accordance with the WFA appendix of their relevant collective agreement or the National Joint Council WFA Directive applicable to certain employment groups. Impacted executives will be subject to the provisions of the Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executives.

AAFC’s WFA portal and AgriSource pages also contain information about the process as well as important resources.

I want to emphasize that none of these difficult decisions were taken lightly. They have been guided by the need to ensure spending is sustainable and activities reflect the Department’s core mandate. These decisions were also based on the function of indeterminate positions and are not a reflection of the quality of the work done by employees. We value everyone’s contribution and dedication to serving Canadians and supporting the sector.

I acknowledge that this is a challenging period for employees, and I ask that everyone make an effort to be supportive and respectful in their interactions with colleagues. If you are struggling, please consider asking for help through our mental health and wellness resources, the AAFC Ombuds Office, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is being amplified during this period. The EAP offers confidential services designed to help navigate difficult situations and provide support when it’s needed most.

I appreciate your patience and professionalism during this period of change and transition.

Lawrence Hanson

Deputy Minister

Read the full statement from the AAFC:

Like other federal departments, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has identified savings over three years while remaining focused on its core mandate. At this point, we can confirm that AAFC’s workforce will be reduced by approximately 665 positions and that notices to the 1043 affected employees were issued on January 22.

As part of this process, AAFC will close three research and development centres – Guelph (ON), Quebec City (QC), and Lacombe (AB) – and four satellite research farms – Nappan, (NS), Scott (SK), Indian Head (SK) and Portage la Prairie (MB).

AAFC will remain Canada’s largest agricultural research organization, with 17 research centres nationwide and research farmland in every province. There are no imminent site closures, and any wind-down of scientific operations would follow a careful decision process that could take up to 12 months. As such, it is too early to determine and share details on final workforce impacts.

Photo Credit: AACF website