Cumberland County Mayor Rod Gilroy, on behalf of Municipal Council, is expressing deep concern following reports that employees at the Nappan Experimental Farm have been notified of its impending closure and their resulting layoffs. Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada confirmed earlier this week that significant layoffs were pending, and affected employees living in the area advise that the facility will be closed.
“These are well-paying, skilled federal government jobs that support families and contribute directly to the economic stability of our region,” said Mayor Gilroy. “The loss of employment of this nature hits significantly harder in a rural area like Cumberland County than it does in larger urban centres, where alternative opportunities may be more readily available.”
Mayor Gilroy noted that beyond the immediate impact on employees and their families, the closure would have broader ripple effects on the local economy, including reduced spending and increased pressure on municipal and social services.
On behalf of Municipal Council, Mayor Gilroy is urging federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to reconsider any decision to close the Nappan Experimental Farm and to engage with employees, the municipality, and the community before taking irreversible steps.
“We are asking the federal government to fully consider the human and regional economic impacts of this decision,” Mayor Gilroy said. “Cumberland County stands with the affected employees and calls for a reconsideration that reflects the importance of these jobs and this facility to our rural community.”