Edmonton, AB (Rural Roots Canada) – Canadian canola groups say the federal government’s decision to close multiple Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research centres and slash hundreds of jobs across the country is a major blow to Canadian agriculture.
“Anytime we lose research capacity, it’s hugely disappointing for everybody,” Alberta Canola chair Andre Harpe tells Rural Roots Canada. “We had the initial announcement, but other than that, we have not heard a word about what exactly this means. We’re hearing anecdotal information that some researchers are being moved, and some are being let go. It is all over the place, and we’re still trying to determine just how bad this actually is for canola and agriculture in general.”
In a joint statement, Alberta Canola, the Manitoba Canola Growers, and SaskOilseeds called the federal cuts “alarming,” saying consultation is urgently needed to understand the impact and explore alternatives.
The statement adds that AAFC researchers have played a crucial role in advancing canola production for Canadian farmers, and their work has been central to the growth and profitability of the canola sector.
Harpe says the industry is still waiting to learn how ongoing projects will be affected. “We actually do have a lot of projects just in Alberta that we have partnered with Ag Canada and through other partners,” he says. “But it gets back to what is going to happen to the projects that have already started, let alone the ones we want to start.”
Canola growers invest millions of dollars annually into research across the Prairies. “Alberta itself invests a million dollars a year,” Harpe says. “We partner with Saskatchewan and Manitoba to magnify the money. It gets back to, if I remember correctly, it’s seven to one. Basically, we take our million dollars, and it multiplies hugely.”
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While much of the canola breeding work is handled by the private sector, Harpe says the loss of public research still hurts the industry. “There’s all the other research that needs to be done, whether it’s new pesticides or how to use them, clubroot, or diseases,” he says. “There’s a whole list of things that Ag Canada and researchers still do that aren’t connected to private companies.”
Warren Ellis, chair of the Manitoba Canola Growers, says he’s concerned about what these AAFC staff cuts mean for the future of canola research. “Public, independent research delivers real value for farmers, and AAFC researchers and support staff have done tremendous work for our industry over many years,” says Ellis. “Losing this capacity puts long-term innovation and crop development at risk.”
At SaskOilseeds, board chair Dean Roberts reiterated the importance of agriculture research. “Research investment and capacity remain key priorities for SaskOilseeds,” he says. “We are committed to ensuring that oilseeds research projects continue to advance.”
A small glimmer of optimism is the announcement by Bayer Crop Science’s recent $45-million investment to build a canola research and development facility in Winnipeg. “Absolutely good news,” says Harpe. “I would have loved to have seen it in Alberta, but it actually shows you that there is commitment, and that private corporations see that there is a benefit to moving forward to make canola better for Canada.”
Harpe says Alberta Canola will continue to advocate for strong public research alongside private investment. He’s hoping to meet with Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald in the days ahead.
“I’m hoping to meet with him next week,” says Harpe. “Obviously, there are other issues with canola that we have to discuss, but I imagine we’ll have a discussion at some point about it. But we really need to keep researching in Alberta and in Canada.”
