Brandon-Souris Member of Parliament Grant Jackson is speaking out against federal government cuts to jobs and funding at the Brandon Research and Development Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. On January 27, 2026, Jackson said these reductions will weaken local agricultural research and negatively impact the regional economy.
The research facility, located on Grand Valley Road, focuses on developing new varieties of wheat, oats and barley that are specifically suited to the climate of the Canadian Prairies. The federal government describes the changes as part of a plan to modernize research priorities, but critics argue the move is a cost-cutting measure that targets Western Canadian interests.
Local reports from DiscoverWestman.com highlight concerns that these cuts could hurt the progress made by the roughly 87 staff members currently working at the site. This includes about 14 researchers who study ways to improve crop yields and manage pests for local farmers.
According to the Manitoba Historical Society, the facility has been part of the community since the federal experimental farms program was established in 1886; the Brandon site was acquired in 1888. While the centre has survived many political shifts over the decades, it has previously lost programs, such as its beef-grazing research, which was moved to Alberta in 2013.
Jackson, who was elected to represent the area in April 2025 according to the Brandon Sun, believes the federal decision is a blow to the local economy. He is calling for the government to protect these specialized jobs to ensure that research tailored to the needs of Manitoba farmers continues.
