With 112 positions expected to be cut locally, Jennifer Johnson says commissions and associations must unite and push for a reversal.

Alberta United Conservative Party MLA Jennifer Johnson, who represents Lacombe-Ponoka, is calling on agriculture groups to stand together and push back following what she described as a “surprise announcement” involving Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) site closures and job cuts.

In her comments given to the audience at yesterday’s CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton, Johnson emphasized the historic importance of the local research station and what could be lost if closures proceed.

“This station, as many of you would know, has been there for about 120 years. That’s a lot of data, research, and history,” she said.

She framed the decision as part of a broader threat to agriculture in Alberta and across Canada.

“In my opinion, this is another attack on the agriculture industry in Alberta and in Canada,” Johnson said.

Johnson urged producer commissions, associations, and industry groups to respond collaboratively.

“I think it’s really important we stay standing in solidarity with each other as commissions and associations,” she said.

Johnson said she is organizing a meeting in Lacombe on Friday to discuss next steps, and invited stakeholders to participate in person or remotely.

She also stressed that decisions like this can be reversed.

“These things can be pulled back. They have been in the past,” Johnson said.

Johnson highlighted the expected impact in her region.

“112 positions we know could be cut, and that’s almost 20% of the ones that they’ve announced across the entire country, in our area,” she said reference to the 665 positions AAFC is reportedly cutting across Canada.

Speaking as both an elected official and a producer, Johnson underscored her personal stake in the issue.

“I am a farmer,” she said. “This is very important to me, personally and professionally.”

WGRF warns AAFC cuts could weaken public research capacity

The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) has also raised concerns about AAFC’s reported site closures and workforce reduction of approximately 665 positions, warning the moves create uncertainty for Canada’s public agricultural research system.

“We recognize the dedicated AAFC researchers and staff whose work underpins productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness across Canadian grain production, and we extend our support to those affected,” WGRF said in a statement.

WGRF said public research infrastructure and scientific expertise are foundational to its mandate of supporting farmer- and industry-focused outcomes.

“WGRF’s priority is the funding of Canadian research capacity that directly supports farmer and industry outcomes. Public research infrastructure and scientific expertise are foundational to this mandate,” the organization stated. “Collaboration among private and public investors enables innovation, which includes foundational work in agronomy, genetics, disease resistance, and systems research.”

WGRF added that reported facility closures heighten concerns and pointed to the need for clearer information from AAFC.

The organization said it is awaiting further details from AAFC on research program continuity, partnerships, and long-term delivery for farmers.