Photo: Lacombe Research & Development Centre. Screenshot

Lacombe County council is getting a national municipal lobby group involved in an effort to keep the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (LRDC) open and running. Councillors unanimously agreed at their Mar. 26 regular meeting to send a statement to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Councillors read a report from Communications Officer Nicole Plewis regarding a proposed resolution from the LRDC Closure Response Task Force, essentially including both the City and County of Lacombe, to be sent to FCM to get the lobby association’s help in reversing the federal government’s proposal to close the lab.

The federal government recently announced the closure of seven agricultural research labs across the country in a cost-cutting move; the task force responded with efforts to reverse that decision, which it stated would affect 100 families in central Alberta and negatively affect agriculture in Alberta, Canada and globally.

“The Federation of Canadian Municipalities invites resolutions on issues of national municipal interest that fall within federal jurisdiction and requires a national focus, clear federal relevance and a council-endorsed resolution,” stated a report from Plewis. “The action requested of council is the consideration of submitting an emergent resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding the closure of federal agricultural research stations.”

During her verbal presentation, Plewis noted any resolution approved by Lacombe County council would be forwarded to FCM on behalf of the task force, adding that the City of Lacombe council will also discuss the proposed resolution.

The resolution itself is more than simply one or two sentences, as the draft presented to councillors was almost two pages long. In part it resolved, “That the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urge the Government of Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to reverse the proposed closure of Canada’s federally operated agricultural research and development centres, and maintain federal operations, staffing capacity and long-term scientific programs at all affected facilities; and be it further...

“...resolved that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities request the Government of Canada collaborate with municipalities, provinces, researchers, producer groups and Indigenous communities to develop a strengthened National Agricultural Research Strategy that preserves irreplaceable long-term datasets, ensures stable federal investment and supports Canada’s food security and climate resilience objectives.”

Plewis pointed out time was of the essence for the FCM resolution, as a federal government decision could be made before FCM has time to discuss the task force’s request. She said if councillors approved the resolution it would ensure a resolution could be forwarded to FCM by an Apr. 3 meeting.

Plewis also stated since FCM is a national group, the resolution was geared toward pointing out the impact proposed closures would have on national agriculture and communities.

It was noted other municipalities have stepped forward to help the task force with this resolution.

Coun. Dana Kreil supported the resolution. “It’s a good resolution,” she said. “I really like the wording of it.”

Councillors unanimously approved the draft resolution to be forwarded to FCM on behalf of the task force in regard to the proposed closure of the Lacombe research centre.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s website, the LRDC’s “…research on livestock and meat production aims to enhance economic stability and reduce environmental impact of livestock production systems and to support the Canadian fresh meat processing sector in supplying safe, high-quality fresh meat with good storage life, mostly beef and pork.

“Research in crop sciences includes plant breeding (field pea and oats), integrated crop protection (weed science and pathology) and the development of best agronomic practices.”