Spending reductions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will impact research and services in Saskatchewan.

The federal government informed AAFC employees across the country about the cost-cutting measures on Thursday, which are happening in every government department.

A total of 665 positions will be eliminated nationally including at least 73 in Saskatchewan, according to Milton Dyck, the Agriculture Union’s National President with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).  The cuts include research positions, program staff and corporate staff in Saskatoon, Swift Current, Regina and Melfort. PSAC has the most AAFC employees, but there are a few other smaller unions as well.

AAFC has not released any details about the job cuts and the impact on research facilities across the country.

Additional details and Dyck’s comments can be heard in this report below: