Agricultural innovation is key to Canada’s future — so why are we closing research sites? Senator Black
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Agricultural research and innovation are intertwined and fundamental to the competitiveness and resiliency of the Canadian agriculture sector. Yet, in January, the federal government announced the closure of three Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research and development centres in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Additionally, four satellite research farms — one in Nova Scotia, one in Manitoba and two in Saskatchewan — are being shuttered.
Although these federal research sites are closing, the minister has expressed hope that the government will do as much agricultural research as it did before. If this is an essential step to strengthen and sustain Canada’s agricultural industry, there must be thorough consideration of the effects of these closures and diligent planning that safeguards our country’s agricultural research and innovation capacity.
Soil health types vary across the country, and there is no one-size-fits-all method to protecting soils. We cannot discount the value of having satellite research farms in different locations, climates and ecosystems across our vast and diverse landscape. These facilities allow for sound testing of seed varieties, farming practices and technologies, for example, that can support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen long-term agricultural resilience.
We know Canada is losing prime agricultural farmland from coast to coast to coast every day, and soil health degradation is occurring in every province and territory. It is imperative we support the scientists and researchers who are exploring techniques to increase yields and grow more food per acre and who are working to improve the resiliency of our crops. Now is the time for strong investment in comprehensive research and innovation in the industry.
Farming is certainly not without its challenges; however, research, innovation, science and technology create tangible tools and resources that will help farmers and producers overcome some of the challenges facing the industry. Plant breeding, for instance, can support higher food production, climate resilience and improved pest resistance, which inevitably contributes to increased yields and higher quality products. In fact, many of the crops we eat today have gone through significant development through plant breeding research and development.
Soil health protection, conservation and enhancement includes advocating for better land use planning. This includes supporting the researchers, scientists, agrologists and innovators who are actively exploring how we can reverse or prevent soil degradation across the country.
In June 2025, I introduced Bill S-230, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act, in the Senate of Canada in the hope that it will raise awareness of the important role healthy soil plays in our economy and for our collective well-being. I have received significant support from all levels of government and agricultural industry representatives, as well as farmers, ranchers and producers from across the country. However, more must be done to ensure our sector remains competitive, including protecting and supporting agricultural research, infrastructure and innovation.
I have seen firsthand the innovation and on-farm research taking place across the country. There are great ideas and tremendous technologies being developed throughout Canada that have the potential to advance the industry. However, this country’s ecosystem is ill-equipped to support the development and commercialization of new innovations. In fact, many researchers and entrepreneurs find it easier to implement and commercialize their innovations in other countries due to the roadblocks and red tape they face in Canada.
The federal government must make a commitment to cultivate not only our soils, but also an environment where Canadian innovation can thrive and grow — thereby strengthening our competitiveness internationally and, inevitably, boosting our economy. This can be done by enhancing research capacity across our country, investing in Canadian innovation and protecting our critical ground.
In 2024, the agriculture and agri-food industry generated $149.2 billion of this country’s gross domestic product and provided one in nine jobs in Canada. The federal government must secure and strengthen our agricultural sector, and support research and innovation, before the industry falls further behind our international trading partners.
Like Canada’s agriculture minister, I, too, hope the government will maintain the same level of agricultural research after the closure of these federal research facilities, but I’m just not sure how it will do so.
Senator Rob Black represents Ontario and is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
This article was published in The Hill Times on March 5, 2026.
Agricultural research and innovation are intertwined and fundamental to the competitiveness and resiliency of the Canadian agriculture sector. Yet, in January, the federal government announced the closure of three Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research and development centres in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Additionally, four satellite research farms — one in Nova Scotia, one in Manitoba and two in Saskatchewan — are being shuttered.
Although these federal research sites are closing, the minister has expressed hope that the government will do as much agricultural research as it did before. If this is an essential step to strengthen and sustain Canada’s agricultural industry, there must be thorough consideration of the effects of these closures and diligent planning that safeguards our country’s agricultural research and innovation capacity.
Soil health types vary across the country, and there is no one-size-fits-all method to protecting soils. We cannot discount the value of having satellite research farms in different locations, climates and ecosystems across our vast and diverse landscape. These facilities allow for sound testing of seed varieties, farming practices and technologies, for example, that can support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen long-term agricultural resilience.
We know Canada is losing prime agricultural farmland from coast to coast to coast every day, and soil health degradation is occurring in every province and territory. It is imperative we support the scientists and researchers who are exploring techniques to increase yields and grow more food per acre and who are working to improve the resiliency of our crops. Now is the time for strong investment in comprehensive research and innovation in the industry.
Farming is certainly not without its challenges; however, research, innovation, science and technology create tangible tools and resources that will help farmers and producers overcome some of the challenges facing the industry. Plant breeding, for instance, can support higher food production, climate resilience and improved pest resistance, which inevitably contributes to increased yields and higher quality products. In fact, many of the crops we eat today have gone through significant development through plant breeding research and development.
Soil health protection, conservation and enhancement includes advocating for better land use planning. This includes supporting the researchers, scientists, agrologists and innovators who are actively exploring how we can reverse or prevent soil degradation across the country.
In June 2025, I introduced Bill S-230, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act, in the Senate of Canada in the hope that it will raise awareness of the important role healthy soil plays in our economy and for our collective well-being. I have received significant support from all levels of government and agricultural industry representatives, as well as farmers, ranchers and producers from across the country. However, more must be done to ensure our sector remains competitive, including protecting and supporting agricultural research, infrastructure and innovation.
I have seen firsthand the innovation and on-farm research taking place across the country. There are great ideas and tremendous technologies being developed throughout Canada that have the potential to advance the industry. However, this country’s ecosystem is ill-equipped to support the development and commercialization of new innovations. In fact, many researchers and entrepreneurs find it easier to implement and commercialize their innovations in other countries due to the roadblocks and red tape they face in Canada.
The federal government must make a commitment to cultivate not only our soils, but also an environment where Canadian innovation can thrive and grow — thereby strengthening our competitiveness internationally and, inevitably, boosting our economy. This can be done by enhancing research capacity across our country, investing in Canadian innovation and protecting our critical ground.
In 2024, the agriculture and agri-food industry generated $149.2 billion of this country’s gross domestic product and provided one in nine jobs in Canada. The federal government must secure and strengthen our agricultural sector, and support research and innovation, before the industry falls further behind our international trading partners.
Like Canada’s agriculture minister, I, too, hope the government will maintain the same level of agricultural research after the closure of these federal research facilities, but I’m just not sure how it will do so.
Senator Rob Black represents Ontario and is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
This article was published in The Hill Times on March 5, 2026.