The cuts are part of the prime minister’s promise to reduce the public service
More than 600 people at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will soon be out of work.
A Jan. 20 email from Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson shared on the Reddit page CanadaPublicServants by user KirkVanHootin indicates employees were receiving notices as of Jan. 22.
“AAFC’s workforce will be reduced by approximately 665 positions, including executive positions. This target will be achieved through attrition and workforce adjustment (WFA) / Career Transition measures,” the email says. “As such, the appropriate bargaining agents have been informed that 1,043 affected letters will be issued to both executive and non-executive employees. Notifications will occur on January 22, 2026.”
AAFC has a total of 5,198 employees, a 2025 minister’s transition book says.
A reduction of 665 people represents about 13 per cent of the ministry’s total workforce.
“I want to emphasize that none of these difficult decisions were taken lightly,” Hanson said in the email.
The cuts in AAFC staffing is part of the prime minister’s goal to reduce overall public service spending.
Prime Minister Carney promised in the 2025 federal budget to reduce spending by 15 per cent over three years and asked ministers to identify savings within their portfolios.
In ag, this means winding down programs deemed outside of AAFC’s core mandate and reducing some scientific activities where a more streamlined approach exists.
This appears to include a facility in Alberta.
Dr. Hushton Block, a research scientist with AAFC, posted on his X account on Jan. 22 that “AAFC Lacombe Research and Development Centre is being shut down as a result of government budget cuts.”
Employees in other federal departments will be affected too.
Statistics Canada is planning to cut 850 positions over the next two years.
Health Canada plans to cut 1,056 jobs.
The 1,100 people at Innovation, Science and Economic Development received notices that their positions are affected.
And 74 people working in the Department of Finance could lose their jobs.