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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.
Treasury Board of Canada
On behalf of the Honourable Shafqat Ali, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.
Please be assured that your comments have been carefully reviewed. The matter you raise falls within the portfolio of the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. I encourage you to direct your correspondence to his office
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
Agricultural research centres play a vital role in advancing livestock innovation, crop science and value-added processing. For decades, the Lacombe Research and Development Centre has supported producers across the Prairies, contributing to the strength of our agri-food sector.
The federal decision to close many of the research stations will no doubt affect both crop and animal sectors profoundly. This is why I wrote to the federal minister, expressing Alberta’s concerns and emphasizing our willingness to work constructively on finding ways to optimize Canada’s agricultural research landscape, without causing any harmful gaps in the sector.
On February 10, 2026, a motion was passed by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to hold an emergency inquiry into the closure of the Lacombe Research Station. Since then, industry leaders and elected officials from across the country were invited to provide testimony on this closure. Since then, three such hearings have occurred, and the broadcasts can be found here. I had the privilege of appearing at the March 10, 2026 hearing and highlighted the crucial role of the Lacombe Research Centre plays in developing innovations that improve yields, mitigate the effects of disease and drought, and reduce emissions as well as protecting the food chain against foodborne illnesses. I emphasized how agricultural research is not discretionary spending but strategic investment to maintain Alberta’s reputation for high quality, sustainable and safe food production both domestically and internationally.
My priority is ensuring Alberta’s producers continue to have access to the research, innovation and technical support they require to remain competitive. In an ever-changing landscape, it is crucial that we continue to innovate to improve resilience and food safety so that we can maintain our world-class reputation of producing high quality food.
I assure you that your concerns are being heard. The province will continue to advocate for the interests of Alberta’s producers and rural communities as we work with our federal counterparts.
AGI acknowledges and appreciates the RMA’s advocacy on behalf of Alberta’s rural communities and the agriculture industry. I value RMA’s engagement with AGI through these resolutions and look forward to continued discussions on these and other important topics.
Development:
The response from the Treasury Board of Canada does not specifically address the concerns raised surrounding the Lacombe Research and Development Centre’s closure. The response from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation demonstrates the Government of Alberta’s recognition of the impacts of the closure and highlights advocacy efforts undertaken by the minister. RMA is encouraged by the ministry’s response and hopes to see further collaboration and coordinated advocacy efforts between the Government of Alberta, Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe.
Earlier in 2026, the initial federal decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre and other agricultural research centres across Canada was referred to the federal Standing Committee on Agriculture. RMA, in conjunction with Lacombe County and City of Lacombe, advocated to the Committee to recommend reversal of the initial closure decision, including through the direct participation of county and city elected officials as witnesses at a Committee meeting. On May 6, 2026, the Committee submitted a report to Parliament titled Science in Canadian Agriculture and the Closure of Research Centres. While several of the Committee’s recommendations align with RMA’s position on this issue, recommendation 19 is most relevant. It states the following:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada pause and reverse the decision to close agricultural research centres and experimental farm sites and begin immediate consultations with the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, public sector unions, impacted stakeholders, employees, research partners, local, regional and provincial representatives to better understand the scientific and economic impact of the proposed closures.
RMA views this and other Committee recommendations as highly encouraging. At this time it is unknown whether they will be accepted by government.
This resolution is assigned a status of Incomplete Information while RMA awaits a response from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. RMA will continue to monitor developments related to the closure, including government response to the federal Agriculture Committee report, and continue to support multi-stakeholder advocacy efforts such as Lacombe County’s and the City of Lacombe’s joint task force.
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