Alberta farm groups are disappointed by Ottawa’s decision to cut back on research in the province, says the head of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture.
“Our group sort of views it as (government) saying one thing and doing something else,” said Lynn Jacobson.
Universities can only do so much, and the research focus of private companies is on boosting their profits, he said.
“Some of the primary research that Ag Canada has done will more than likely suffer,” said Jacobson, adding public research is an investment that pays rich dividends.
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“It is a concern all the way across the board for us.”
Rangeland research conducted in Lethbridge is being moved to Swift Current (although the Lacombe Research Centre will take on beef grazing work from Brandon, Man.) and the Onefour Ranch and Stavely substations will close. As well, former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration offices will be closed in Westlock, Peace River, and Red Deer.
The cuts are part of an effort to find the “most effective and least-costly ways to deliver service to Canadians so that as much of Agriculture Canada’s overall budget as possible goes directly to producers and the agricultural industry,” Agriculture and Agri-Food spokesman Patrick Girard stated in an email.
Girard couldn’t say how many jobs in Alberta would be lost, but a union official said 19 members of the Agriculture Union, a branch of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, would be affected.
“We had no idea those cuts were coming,” said Fabian Murphy, adding 700 positions were being eliminated across the country.
Usually there is more consultation and discussion with the union, but that didn’t happen this time, he said.
“We’re not happy with that,” he said.
