Migrant Worker Outreach Program
Supporting the health, legal, and social status of migrant workers in Northumberland County.
Partner:
Horizons of Friendship
Location:
Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada
Themes:
Migration, Community Health
Project Duration:
Yearly, ongoing.
Project Summary
Every year, between 100 to 300 migrant workers arrive in Northumberland County to work in the agricultural sector. Hailing primarily from Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guatemala, migrant workers fill a critical shortage of farmhand labour on local farms. In Northumberland County, migrant workers often work on apple, vegetable, dairy, and chicken farms.
As newcomers to our community and to Canada, migrant workers often require support during their stay. A 2016 report by the Canadian Council for Refugees found that migrant workers rank language barriers, barriers in accessing services, and social isolation as their greatest challenges while working and living in Canada. As newcomers to Canada, migrant workers often lack critical information related to local and labour laws.
The Migrant Worker Outreach Program, led by Horizons of Friendship, seeks to support the health, legal, and social status of migrant workers in Northumberland County. We have established relationships with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland, and the Northumberland Community Legal Centre to support the health, legal, and social status of migrant farmworkers in Northumberland County. The program hosts a variety of social events for migrant workers and community members to build community, and friendships, as well as reduce isolation. As a result, this program effectively reduces barriers migrant workers face in Northumberland County.
When workers are healthy and safe, our food supply is stronger.
- Daniel Quesada, Community Outreach Officer.
For Horizons of Friendship, the Migrant Worker Outreach Program is an important program in Northumberland County. Migrant workers are at the heart of our food supply, working tirelessly to put food on our tables. Horizons is proud to support migrant workers and farmers in Northumberland County to help strengthen our food supply.
Key Achievements
Since 2002, over 3,200 Migrant Workers from Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala and other Caribbean states have benefited directly from the program;
Horizons continues to liaise with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland and the Northumberland Community Legal Centre to support the health and legal status of migrant workers (often virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic);
Providing lifeline care packages for migrant workers, containing food and hygiene products upon arrival to our community;
Providing translation and transportation services for migrant workers in hospitals, government buildings, and local businesses;
Guiding Migrant Workers on personal health, workplace injury, labour laws, English-as-a-second-language, and the Canada Pension Plan.
