Reverse agriculture research cuts
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to reverse the closure of seven agricultural research centres and the elimination of 665 positions, including six scientific roles at Brandon, and to maintain and strengthen Brandon/Westman research capacity.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would preserve scientific jobs and local research capacity that supports farmers, regional food security and economic activity.
- Maintaining centres in Brandon and Westman would retain local expertise and services important to the agricultural sector and community.
- Keeping research capacity helps sustain long-term innovation and preparedness for emerging agricultural challenges.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Restoring all centres and positions may require substantial funding or resource reallocation, creating trade-offs with other priorities.
- The department may justify closures as efficiency measures or a shift to different research models, so opposing them could block intended restructuring.
- There may be lower-cost alternatives, such as partnerships or redistribution of research activities, that address concerns without reversing all cuts.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons Given that: In January 2026, the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released their plan to cut 665 positions and shut down seven research centres across Canada; On April 13, 2026, the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada confirmed that six scientific positions at the Brandon Research and Development Centre will be eliminated; We, the undersigned, residents of Brandon and Westman region call on the Government of Canada to: Recognize the critical role of agricultural research in supporting farmers, food security, and economic growth; Immediately reverse the decision to close 7 research facilities and to eliminate 665 positions including the six scientific positions at the Brandon Research and Development Centre; Commit to maintaining and strengthening agricultural research capacity in Brandon and Westman.
Government response
No government response is available yet.