Rural Roots Canada
Ottawa rejects call to reverse closures of agricultural research facilities
The federal government is moving ahead with the closure of seven agricultural research facilities despite a parliamentary committee's call to pause and reverse the decision. In its response to a May report from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, signed by Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, Ottawa acknowledged but did not accept the committee's recommendation to halt the closures and consult with scientists, employees, industry stakeholders and provincial and local governments about their potential scientific and economic impact. The government says the decision was made as part of its Comprehensive Expenditure Review and followed an analysis of infrastructure costs, program delivery and long-term operational requirements.
