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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

city council appealing for reconsideration

AAFC to shut down Lacombe Research and Development Centre after 119 years

Jan 23, 2026 | 4:44 PM

A building opened in Lacombe 119 years ago is shutting down.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) confirmed to rdnewsNOW on Friday that it will shutter its research and development centre in Lacombe, which opened in 1907. It will also close two other centres in Guelph, ON, and Quebec City, QC, plus four satellite research farms in Nappan, NS, Scott, SK, Indian Head, SK, and Portage la Prairie, MB.

AAFC says it will continue to operate 17 research centres nationwide, and conduct farmland research in every province.

“There are no imminent site closures, and any wind-down of scientific operations would follow a careful decision process that could take up to 12 months,” says Cameron Newbigging, AAFC media services. “As such, it is too early to determine and share details on final workforce impacts.”

Newbigging adds that the decision comes after the AAFC identified savings over three years while remaining focused on its core mandate. At publishing time, a dollar figure had not been shared.

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In a statement, Lacombe city council says it is deeply concerned about the sudden announcement.

They note, first and foremost, the more than 100 employees and families directly affected, calling it devastating for them, and sure to have a harsh impact on the local economy.

“This decision has come as a shock to our community. Behind every job affected is a family facing uncertainty, and council is deeply concerned about the human and economic toll this will take on Lacombe,” said Mayor Thalia Hibbs.

This research station has played an important role not just locally, but nationally. The loss of this facility represents a step backward at a time when agricultural innovation, food security, and resilience should be priorities.”

Hibbs adds that the building is an important part of Lacombe’s identity and heritage, noting it has become a cherished spot for things such as graduation and wedding photography.

City council, in its statement, urges the federal government to pause the decision and carefully reconsider the ramifications.

Once the land is disturbed or repurposed, council’s statement says, its scientific value as historically unaltered farmland will be permanently lost.

The AAFC says between the seven total closures, 665 positions will be reduced, with notices about the closures being given to 1,043 employees impacted on Jan. 22.

According to the website for the Lacombe Research and Development Centre, areas of research there have included livestock and meat production, crop sciences including plant breeding and crop protection, plus it is a partner with the Beaverlodge Research Farm which hosts the AAFC’s national honey bee research program.

A full list of projects to have been based out of the LRDC can be seen here.

Lacombe County also issued a statement Friday, which you can read in full below.

“It is disappointing to hear about the potential closure of the Lacombe Research Station. The Station has served as a centre for agricultural innovation for 120 years and has benefited not only Central Alberta but all of Western Canada,” said Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland.

“The Research Station holds a proud legacy, but the key concern is the loss of the current trial program, which could help keep Canada at the top of global agricultural production. Lacombe County, and the agriculture community as a whole, hopes that this decision will be reconsidered, given the irreplaceable benefits of the institution.”

They note the public may also voice their concerns by contacting the Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food at: aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca.