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Preamble:
WHEREAS in January 2026, the Government of Canada announced the closure of seven agricultural research facilities across Canada, including the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (the Centre); and
WHEREAS the Centre has been continuously performing agricultural research to support the economic prosperity of Canadian agricultural producers since 1907; and
WHEREAS the unbiased research performed at the Centre has significantly contributed to the development of Canada’s world-renowned livestock, crop, and agri-food production systems; and
WHEREAS the closure will have significant social and economic impacts on employees, families and the community, along with industry partners and research collaborators who rely on the Centre’s unique infrastructure, land base, and scientific expertise; and
WHEREAS the closure of the Centre will result in the loss of 119 years of continuous agricultural research data at a time when such research is essential to strengthening national innovation, food security, climate-smart agriculture, and economic independence;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the Government of Canada (GOC)to reverse its decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT RMA advocate to the Government of Alberta to support advocacy efforts, including engaging directly with the GOC, the City of Lacombe, and Lacombe County to pursue maintaining federal operations and long-term funding for the Lacombe Research and Development Centre.
Member Background:
For 119 years, the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (the Centre) has been a cornerstone of Canadian agricultural innovation and public interest research. The Centre currently delivers high-value applied research, including active projects in integrated crop protection, climate-smart agriculture, livestock and crop genetics, production efficiency, and is Canada’s only federally operated meat sciences program. Its long-term trials and decades of continuous data cannot be transferred or replicated elsewhere without irreparably damaging national research capacity.
The federal decision to close this facility will directly impact more than 100 employees and their families, representing an economic and social loss that a small rural community such as Lacombe and Lacombe County cannot reasonably absorb. The Centre is not only scientifically significant, but also a critical contributor to the identity, sustainability, and economic stability of the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County and surrounding municipalities.
In the context of national priorities—food security, climate resilience, innovation, and domestic research capacity—the closure of this federally operated institution is misaligned with Canada’s stated goals. Investments in agricultural research are investments in national sovereignty and economic independence, particularly during a time of geopolitical uncertainty, global trade disruptions, and emerging agricultural challenges.
Lacombe County, the City of Lacombe and regional stakeholders urge the Government of Canada to pause its decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre. We also ask the Government of Alberta to support local governments in advocating to the Government of Canada for the reconsideration of this decision, recognizing that the closure will have far-reaching consequences for agricultural innovation, food security, rural economic stability, and Canada’s long-term research capacity.
RMA Background:
*This resolution was originally sponsored by Lacombe County (District 2) and co-sponsored by Northern Sunrise County (District 4). As such, it was presented by Northern Sunrise County at the Spring 2026 District 4 meeting. The RMA Resolutions Policy states that “A sponsoring municipality that is unable to have a resolution submitted to their own district may work with another municipality to co-sponsor the resolution at the other municipality’s district.” Additionally, item C.3 of the policy states that a resolution must be endorsed at a district meeting but does not specify that it must be from the sponsoring municipality’s district.
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