Federal workforce reductions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada follow expenditure review as social media raises questions about Lacombe research site.
Amid growing concerns on social media about the potential closure of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research facilities — including the Lacombe Research and Development Centre in Lacombe, Alta. — the department has confirmed it will reduce its workforce by approximately 665 positions.
The reductions are part of the federal government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review linked to Budget 2025. In a message to staff posted on an AAFC-related Reddit page today, AAFC Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson said senior management has finalized a plan to reduce spending while aligning departmental activities with its core mandate.
AAFC will issue 1,043 “affected” letters to indeterminate employees, with workforce adjustment notifications scheduled for today, Jan. 22, 2026. The reductions will affect both executive and non-executive positions and will be implemented through attrition and workforce adjustment or career transition measures.
Employees receiving workforce adjustment notices will be invited to meetings with branch executives, followed by formal written notification outlining individual circumstances and available support resources. Once notifications are complete, branch heads are expected to share additional details on operational impacts within their divisions.
The department said it will work with bargaining agents to minimize involuntary departures using tools such as priority placement systems, voluntary departure programs, and alternation opportunities for employees seeking to remain in the federal public service.
Impacted employees will be treated in accordance with the workforce adjustment provisions of their respective collective agreements or the National Joint Council Workforce Adjustment Directive. Executives will be subject to the Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executives.
Hanson stressed that the workforce reductions are not related to employee performance but are intended to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. He also urged employees to support one another and to access mental health and wellness resources, including the Employee Assistance Program, during the transition.
