Local leaders called to Ottawa to advocate for the Lacombe Research and Development Centre

The Lacombe Research and Development Centre Closure Response Task Force announces that City of Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs and Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland have been invited to appear as witnesses before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri‑Food to speak on the impacts of the federal government’s planned closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre.

The invitation underscores the national significance of the Centre, which has long served as one of Canada’s most important agricultural research facilities. Its planned closure—part of a broader federal workforce reduction initiative—has raised serious concerns across Central Alberta and the Canadian agricultural industry. The Centre employs more than 100 staff and has been a pillar of agricultural innovation for over a century.

Mayor Hibbs emphasized the profound community impact of the federal decision, noting that the Centre’s loss would affect both families and Canada’s broader research capacity.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to speak directly to federal decision‑makers," said Mayor Hibbs. “This facility is a huge part of our identity in Lacombe, as well as contributes to food security, innovation, and the strength of our agricultural sector nationwide. Its loss would be felt far beyond our city."

Reeve Ireland has similarly voiced ongoing concern about the erosion of long-term agricultural research infrastructure across the Prairies.

“Producers across the Prairies, Canada and globally rely on the work done here," said Reeve Ireland. "We want to ensure the Standing Committee understands what is at stake for rural communities and the future of Canadian agriculture if they go forward with this closure.”

Who is involved with the Joint Task Force?

The Joint Task Force is comprised of elected and senior administrative leadership to coordinate advocacy, engagement, and communications related to the proposed closure. The task force includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Lacombe, the Reeve and Deputy Reeve of Lacombe County, and senior staff and key administrative support from both municipalities.

What are the Joint Task Force’s main concerns?

The proposed closure also comes at a time of global instability, trade pressures, and increasing climate-related agricultural challenges—circumstances that demand more, not less, investment in independent, public-interest agricultural research. Canada relies on robust, science-based information to ensure food security, strengthen competitiveness, and support producers in making informed decisions. The elimination of this centre weakens that capacity at a moment when it is most needed.

In summary, the impacts of this closure would be broad and significant:

• Economic Harm: Loss of more than 100 stable, professional jobs in a small labour market, including the erosion of a major employment anchor for the region.
• Student Pipeline Loss: Reduction in hands-on student placements, mentorship, and early-career opportunities that are essential for Canada’s agri-food workforce.
• Research Disruption: Termination or relocation of long-term scientific trials that cannot be replicated without irreparable loss of data and infrastructure value.
• Ecosystem Damage: Undermining the research cluster that connects academia, industry, and public-sector innovation in Central Alberta.
• National Capacity Risks: A weakening of Canada’s independent agricultural research base at a time of heightened global uncertainty.

As directly impacted communities, we continue to urge the federal government to reconsider this decision, pause the planned closure, and engage meaningfully with local governments, agricultural partners, and the research community on viable alternatives.

The public can stay up-to-date on developments of the Task Force’s advocacy efforts on our websites:

• https://www.lacombecounty.com/LRDC
• https://www.lacombe.ca/1621/Lacombe-Research-and-Development-Centre-