Communications

The report, which received unanimous support from committee members, calls for the pause and reversal of federal agricultural research centre closures.

OTTAWA, May 28, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the report tabled by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on federal agricultural research capacity and calls on the Government of Canada to act on its recommendations without delay. 

Canada’s grain producers depend on innovation to stay competitive, viable and resilient. Decisions in Ottawa are having immediate impacts on farm operations.

At a time of economic uncertainty and the need to address our global competitors who are investing to increase their production, improve efficiency, and capture market share, our own domestic production and supply chains must improve.

GGC has consistently called for transparency on the impacts of reductions to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research staff and infrastructure, and for increased public investment in agricultural research, not less.

The committee’s recommendations reflect what grain producers have been saying directly to parliamentarians: that Canada is cutting research capacity at exactly the wrong time, and that the consequences for crop development, regional expertise and long-term productivity are serious and irreversible if not addressed.

The report calls for the pause and reversal of research centre closures and immediate consultations with affected stakeholders. The closure of research centres and reduction of scientific staff risks the permanent loss of decades of institutional knowledge and regional expertise that has taken generations to build and cannot be readily reconstituted. The window to act is narrowing.

The report also calls on the government to recognize agriculture and the agri-food sector as a uniquely strategic sector on par with energy, and food security as a national security issue, recognition that the grain sector has long advocated. It also calls for meaningful engagement with provincial governments, local communities and affected stakeholders, such as grain farmers, on any proposed changes to federal research infrastructure.

Together, these reflect a clear commitment: that decisions affecting Canada’s agricultural research system must be made directly with the sector, not around it.

GGC stands ready to be part of that process and urges the government to respond in a way that matches the urgency of what is at stake for Canada’s agricultural research system and the producers who depend on it.

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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):

As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Hana Sabah
Sr. Manager, Communications
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841