Closures in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are now under scrutiny by the House agriculture committee.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food is now underway with an emergency study into the federal government’s planned cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), as MPs from multiple parties warn the changes could permanently weaken Canada’s public agricultural research system.
Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson appeared before the committee on Tuesday, Jan. 10, joined by senior officials Alain Lagacé and Andrew Goldstein, as MPs pressed the department for answers on workforce reductions and the planned closure of research facilities.
AAFC is moving ahead with plans to eliminate roughly 665 positions and close seven research centres and farms in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Hanson told MPs the cuts are being driven by federal budget targets, including a requirement to deliver $154.7 million in savings by 2028–29 under a government-wide expenditure review.
Committee members focused heavily on the impact on scientific capacity. Officials confirmed that at least 27 research scientist positions are being eliminated, with concerns raised over whether critical research programs — including work tied to food security and production innovation — will be disrupted.
Conservative MPs also singled out the planned closure of long-standing research sites such as Indian Head, arguing the facilities play a key role not only in science, but in rural economies. Department officials defended the move as a shift toward consolidation and increased partnerships with universities and other institutions.
The committee is expected to continue its emergency study over at least four meetings, with Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald anticipated to testify in the coming hearings. Industry groups and provincial stakeholders are also expected to appear as the committee builds its record.
