Media Archive
April 2022
‘COVID acted like a minefield’: What we know about migrant-worker deaths
TVO, April 9, 2022
Expanding temporary foreign worker program just means 'more exploitable workers': advocate
CBC Radio, April 6, 2022
Hundreds attend migrant worker health fair in Leamington
CBC News, April 6, 2022
Ottawa expands access to temporary foreign workers to ease labour crunch
Globe and Mail, April 4, 2022
March 2022
A ‘troubling narrative’ has been revealed within Canada’s system to help abused migrant workers
Toronto Star, March 23, 2022
Migrant workers make our agricultural industry viable. Why do we treat them as disposable?
Toronto Star, March 21, 2022
February 2022
B.C. residents fight to get migrants who lost work during floods $280,000 payout
Vancouver Sun, February 4, 2022
‘Unethical and inappropriate’: What coroners’ records reveal about the gaps that led to migrant worker deaths
The Toronto Star, February 1, 2022
January 2022
Two years into a pandemic, not much has changed for migrant workers
CityNews, January 25, 2022
Mexican worker killed after falling from Leamington greenhouse leaves behind a daughter
CBC, January 21, 2022
Death of quarantined migrant worker under investigation in Essex County
Windsor Star, January 20, 2022
Migrant worker advocate calls recent actions 'Band-Aid' solutions for 'gushing wound'
CBC, January 17, 2022
Windsor, Ont.-area businesses instructed to halt entry of temporary foreign workers
Global News, January 12, 2022
Canada Loosens Foreign-Worker Cap for Desperate Quebec Companies
Bloomberg, January 10, 2022
Three-to-a-bunkhouse rule terminated
Simcoe Reformer, January 10, 2022
december 2021
‘They care about their plants and not us’: for migrant farmworkers in Ontario, COVID-19 made a bad situation worse
The Narwahl, December 18, 2021
Flooded out of their worksites in B.C., migrant workers face return to home countries
Globe & Mail, December 18, 2021
Shocking but not surprising: Auditor General of Canada criticizes enforcement of COVID-19 regulations for migrant workers
The Conversation, December 16, 2021
The migrant worker floodgates have opened. It’s a decision we might come to regret
Toronto Star, December 15, 2021
Migrant workers deemed 'disposable' before and during pandemic, Manitoba advocates say
CBC News, December 12, 2021
Feds failed to ensure farms protected migrant workers from COVID-19: Auditor general
CP24, December 9, 2021
Why these migrant workers are taking on the OPP
TVO, December 8, 2021
Government of Canada Releases 'What We Heard' Report on Temporary Foreign Worker Accommodations
Cision, December 1, 2021
november 2021
Mexico seeks to overhaul Canada migrant farmworker program amid climate disasters
Reuters, November 30, 2021
What's next in human-rights hearing over OPP's DNA sweep
London Free Press, November 29, 2021
‘The whole process made me feel sad, defeated and humiliated,’ Jamaican man tells rights tribunal in DNA-sweep case
Toronto Star, November 22, 2021
Foreign Agriculture Workers Seek Justice
TVO, November 26, 2021
Allegations of OPP racially profiling migrant workers in 2013 investigation now before human rights tribunal
Global News, November 22, 2021
Canada to recognize more vaccines, will soon require international students and workers to be fully vaccinated
CIC News, November 19, 2021
Migrant workers in B.C. face more uncertainty after being displaced by flooding
CBC, November 19, 2021
'We feel forgotten': 150 migrant workers reeling after B.C. flood evacuations
Pique Newsmagazine, November 18, 2021
Migrant workers evacuated from Abbotsford flooding face uncertain future
The Vancouver Sun, November 17, 2021
‘Half-baked’ Bill 27 won’t protect migrant workers from exploitative recruiters, say advocates
Toronto Star, November 16, 2021
october 2021
New immigration minister inherits backlogs, migrant worker issues
Toronto Star, October 27, 2021
Ottawa sees few claims for residency under Agri-Food Pilot
Globe & Mail, October 27, 2021
Without health care or sick leave, migrant workers and international students say they feel exploited
CBC Newfoundland & Labrador, October 21, 2021
Ontario to tighten rules for temp agencies, firms that recruit foreign workers
CBC, October 18, 2021
Good start on temporary workers but more needed
CISION, October 18, 2021
september 2021
How COVID-19 exposed Canada’s treatment of migrant workers
Open Democracy, September 30, 2021
Ontario farm, owner facing charges tied to 2020 COVID-19 outbreak involving migrant workers
Global News, September 28, 2021
Ontario farm with migrant worker who died of COVID-19 hit with 20 charges
CBC, September 27, 2021
Worker dies in farming mishap in Norfolk
Simcoe Reformer, September 23, 2021
Quebec skilled workers now eligible for Bridging Open Work Permit
CIC News, September 21, 2021
Migrant labour expert urges more teeth for P.E.I. worker protection bill
SaltWire, September 17, 2021
Migrant workers in Leamington, Ont., use music to keep spirits up while away from family
CBC, September 14, 2021
August 2021
A 4am Taxi, a KFC, and a Three-Day Trip: How a Worker Escaped an Alberta Farm After Allegations of ‘Abusive’ Conditions
The Canadian, August 22, 2021
Death of migrant worker struck by lightning west of Montreal sparks investigations
CBC, August 16, 2021
Pandemic highlights poor conditions for some of Canada’s farmworkers
Marketplace, August 10, 2021
July 2021
Farm Workers Hub provides necessary items and community connections
Toronto Star, July 22, 2021
Protesters in Montreal pressure Ottawa to regularize migrant workers' status
CBC, July 18, 2021
MOH changes transport rule for migrant workers
Simcoe Reformer, July 6, 2021
June 2021
Filipino community helps migrant workers in New Brunswick during COVID-19
CBC, June 24, 2021
Canadian migrants push for full immigration status, family reunification on Father’s Day
Global News, June 20, 2021
Migrants call on PM Trudeau to Unite Families, Welcome Migrants & Refugees on World Refugee Day & Fathers' Day
Financial Post, June 20, 2021
Migrant worker died during hotel quarantine, advocacy group says
CBC, June 18, 2021
Manitoba vaccine rollout failing to reach migrant workers, advocates say
CBC, June 14, 2021
“Made in Canada: an agricultural podcast” covers migrant worker issues in Canada
The Peak, June 13, 2021
Advocates call for more rights for migrant workers amid deaths on the job
CTV News, June 13, 2021
Advocates call for stronger migrant workers rights amid deaths on the job in Canada
Global News, June 13, 2021
How crowded are migrant worker bunkhouses? A survey shines a light on housing conditions that ‘cost lives’
Toronto Star, June 11, 2021
Migrant farmworkers want feds to act on better employer-provided housing: report
CTV News, June 10, 2021
may 2021
Feds pathway to permanent residency program under fire
Western Producer, May 17, 2021
Farmers, migrant workers speak out against strict COVID-19 restrictions
CBC, May 15, 2021
Hundreds of migrant farm workers in Ontario denied fresh air during quarantine
Global News, May 15, 2021
Life Was Already Tough for Migrant Farm Workers. The Pandemic Made It Worse
The Tyee, May 14, 2021
Hastings Prince Edward moves to protect migrant workers from COVID-19
Global News, May 14, 2021
Migrant workers vaccinated at airport
Toronto Star, May 14, 2021
No answers in death of quarantined farm worker
Brantford Expositor, May 12, 2021
Cause of Norfolk-area farm worker’s death in quarantine unknown
Hamilton Spectator, May 12, 2021
Migrant farmworkers left out of Alberta's vaccination rollout, says activist group
Rabble, May 11, 2021
Ontario farm 'devastated,' looking for answers after migrant worker's death in hotel quarantine
Toronto Star, May 7, 2021
Advocates Call Ottawa’s PR Program “A Smokescreen”
Toronto Star, May 6, 2021
Five migrant-farm-worker deaths since mid-March: advocacy group
Globe and Mail, May 5, 2021
Thousands of Niagara farm workers receive COVID-19 vaccine
CBC, May 3, 2021
april 2021
In search of safety, report lists changes needed to protect migrant workers
Radio Canada International, April 28, 2021
COVID-19 deaths of 3 Ontario farm workers prompt coroner's call for changes
CBC, April 27, 2021
Windsor-Essex to launch COVID-19 vaccinations for farm workers
CBC, April 16, 2021
Canada's migrant farmworkers remain at risk a year into pandemic
Reuters, April 14, 2021
'It's a win, win, win'; Southwestern Ontario Farm community hails worker vaccine pilot program
CTV News, April 11, 2021
Migrant farm worker airport COVID-19 vaccine pilot begins in Toronto
Global News, April 10, 2021
Migrant farm worker vaccine pilot to run at Toronto airport this weekend
CTV News, April 9, 2021
Advocates call for accessible COVID-19 vaccine plan for Ontario migrant farm workers
National Post, April 8, 2021
march 2021
Has Ontario changed its approach to migrant-worker housing?
TVO, March 29, 2021
Ontario wants to see agriculture workers vaccinated on arrival in Canada
CBC, March 25, 2021
‘Everyone is at risk’: Migrants and undocumented workers need the COVID-19 vaccine too
Global News, March 20, 2021
New rules for migrant workers arriving in Canada
CTV News, March 18, 2021
New federal measures for migrant farm workers won't prevent more COVID outbreaks: labour group
Financial Post, March 17, 2021
For the second time Ontario is failing farm workers on COVID protections
Toronto Star, March 17, 2021
Haldimand-Norfolk health unit criticized over rule for migrant workers
Norfolk and Tillsonburg News, March 8, 2021
‘That’s discrimination’: Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit denies fresh air breaks for migrant farm workers quarantining in hotels
Hamilton Spectator, March 4, 2021
february 2021
Groups call for migrant workers to get safe, priority access to COVID-19 vaccine
CTV News, February 25, 2021
Advocacy groups call for COVID-19 vaccine plan for migrants, undocumented workers
CBC, February 24, 2021
Coronavirus: Windsor could close migrant farm worker isolation hotel, warns of funding shortfall
Global News, February 23, 2021
This migrant worker got fired after raising COVID-19 concerns. Now he’s stranded in Mexico amid travel restriction ‘chaos’
Toronto Star, February 18, 2021
One in five farms not compliant with COVID rules, early inspections find
London Free Press, February 16, 2021
Ontario government to ramp up pandemic safety inspections on farms
Toronto Star, February 4, 2021
WECHU calls for federal control of quarantine for migrant workers upon arrival in Ontario
Global News, February 5, 2021
january 2021
Coronavirus: Ontario ramps up COVID-19 safety inspections on farms ahead of growing season
Global News, January 27, 2021
Ontario to ramp up farm inspections as migrant workers arrive for new season of work
CBC, January 27, 2021
‘Already it was hard. Now, it’s become impossible’: Pandemic highlights barriers to healthcare for migrant workers
Healthy Debate, January 25, 2021
DECEMBER 2020
Hundreds of migrant workers expect to be stranded in Canada over Christmas
CTV, December 22, 2020
Canada will allow stranded farm workers to apply for open work permits, access supports
CBC, December 16, 2020
Stuck in Canada, hundreds of migrant farm workers get help from federal government
Toronto Star, December 16, 2020
'Exiled in Canada': 400 migrant workers unable to return home
London Free Press, December 16, 2020
NOVEMBER 2020
Bitter Harvest
CBC Fifth Estate, November 29, 2020
Auditor General report critical of provincial response to COVID-19 among migrant workers
CBC, November 25, 2020
COVID outbreaks on farms reveal crack in system that migrant workers slip through, say health-care workers
CBC Radio, November 20, 2020
Migrant worker advocates not satisfied with government strategy to prevent COVID-19 on farms
CBC News, November 16, 2020
Migrant worker who took on boss and won is a 'very brave, exceptional man,' says lawyer
CBC Radio, November 12, 2020
COVID-19’s heavy toll pushed Ottawa to propose these changes to how migrant farm workers are housed
Toronto Star, November 5, 2020
40 workers at Elgin County orchard test positive for COVID-19
CBC, November 3, 2020
OCTOBER 2020
‘The situation is very sad and painful.’ Relative of migrant worker who died of COVID-19 speaks of ‘overwhelming’ grief
Toronto Star, October 13, 2020
Ontario, federal governments open agri-food relief program
CBC, October 13, 2020
Public health won’t tell us which employers have COVID-19 outbreaks. But we obtained WSIB data to help paint a picture.
Toronto Star, October 11, 2020
Migrant worker advocate says Kingsville outbreak expected, not surprising
CBC, October 9, 2020
Why does Canada's agricultural industry erase migrant farmworkers from advertising campaigns?
Rabble, October 2, 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020
Pandemic in the fields: The harsh realities temporary foreign workers face in Canada
CTV News, September 26, 2020
Throne speech offers little systemic change for migrant workers, refugees
The Conversation, September 24, 2020
Temporary foreign workers in B.C. ask Ottawa for pathway to citizenship as province rolls out new protections
CTV News, September 20, 2020
Case of migrant worker who says he was fired for speaking out about COVID-19 at Ontario farm begins at labour board
Toronto Star, September 14, 2020
Time for Canada to improve conditions for foreign workers
The Western Producer, September 10, 2020
Okanagan pear, apple growers facing significant crop losses due to labour shortage
Global News, September 2, 2020
AUGUST 2020
Coronavirus: Canada’s migrant farm workers face fatal COVID-19 outbreaks, alleged mistreatment
Global News, August 28, 2020
Canada hires thousands of migrant farm workers. Why?
Tricity News, August 27, 2020
Canada Saw The Migrant Farmer COVID-19 Crisis Coming—And It's Our Job To Fix It
Chatelaine, August 25, 2020
The flaw in the food system: Are Canadians ready for the consequences of paying farm workers more?
Financial Post, August 22, 2020
Migrant worker program to undergo federal audit following massive COVID-19 outbreaks on Canadian farms
Toronto Star, August 20, 2020
Migrant farm workers call for safety from reprisals for speaking out
Globe and Mail, August 16, 2020
Large scale reform essential to protecting Canada’s migrant workers
Hamilton Spectator, August 14, 2020
Quebec farms face rotting harvests and revenue losses with migrant worker shortage
CBC, August 13, 2020
Migrant worker alleges 'kidnapping' off local farm after abuse complaints
Windsor Star, August 8, 2020
Migrant workers on farm across Canada are being told they can’t leave, raising human rights concerns
Globe and Mail, August 3, 2020
JULY 2020
Migrant farm workers face never ending precarity and vulnerability
Rabble, July 31, 2020
Migrant worker who got COVID-19 says he was fired from Ontario farm for speaking out
CTV News, July 30, 2020
Doug Ford’s Ministry Of Labour is Giving Migrant Worker Employers Advance Notice of COVID-19 Inspections
Press Progress, July 29, 2020
Groups donate PPE to agri-sector as spectre of mandatory testing looms
CBC, July 27, 2020.
Migrant workers in Canada stage multi-city protest, call for more COVID-19 protections
Global News, July 4, 2020
Migrant workers stage multi-city action for full status amid COVID-19 risks
CP24, July 4, 2020
'This is the answer' — $20M development aims for healthy, happy migrant workers
Windsor Star, July 3, 2020
Doug Ford says he was wrong about migrant workers hiding from COVID-19 tests
Globe and Mail, July 3, 2020
Migrant workers in Canada stage multi-city protest, call for more COVID-19 protections
CBC News, July 4, 2020
VIDEO: Labour-migration expert discusses protecting Canada's temporary foreign workers
CBC News, July 2, 2020
Black History is Niagara-on-the-Lake's History
Niagara-on-the-Lake Local, July 1, 2020
JUNE 2020
Windsor medical officer won’t let migrant farm workers with asymptomatic COVID-19 back to work
Globe and Mail, June 30, 2020
Ottawa vows crackdown on employers violating health protection rules for migrant farm workers
Globe and Mail, June 22, 2020
A lesson learned early: How B.C. has avoided major COVID-19 outbreaks among migrant farm workers
Globe and Mail, April 13, 2020
Third migrant farm worker dies as Canada reaches deal with Mexico
Globe and Mail, June 21, 2020
Information revealed about video showing alleged local migrant worker living conditions
CBC News, June 18, 2020
Ottawa says 'critical' to act to address local COVID-19 farm 'crisis'
Windsor Star, June 18, 2020
The Hand That Feeds You
Maison Nueve, June 17, 2020
Pair of migrant workers test positive for COVID-19 in Grey-Bruce, cluster contained
The Owen Sound Sun Times, June 17, 2020
Not enough done to protect migrant farm workers: PM
Globe and Mail, June 16, 2020
Essential but expendable: How Canada failed migrant farm workers
Globe and Mail, June 16, 2020
Mexico hits pause on sending temporary foreign workers after COVID-19 death
CBC News, June 15, 2020
Windsor-Essex region sees recent spike in COVID-19 cases among agri-food workers
Globe and Mail, June 10, 2020
If Canadian consumers ‘knew the work, they’d value the workers'
The Waterloo Region Record, June 15, 2020
Windsor June 11 COVID-19 update
CBC Windsor, June 11, 2020
Windsor June 10 COVID-19 update: 38 new cases all in agri-farm workers
CBC Windsor, June 10, 2020
Spike in COVID-19 cases among migrant workers in southwestern Ontario
Toronto Star, June 9, 2020
Calling migrant workers’ deaths ‘avoidable,’ group launches COVID-19 website
Toronto Star, June 9, 2020
Migrant farm workers ‘in crisis’ amid pandemic, report says
Toronto Star, June 8, 2020
Exploitation, abuse, health hazards rise for migrant workers during COVID-19, group says
CBC News, June 8, 2020
Farmer at centre of local COVID-19 outbreak spent $700,000 to isolate workers
National Post, June 2, 2020
As more migrant workers contract COVID-19, advocates urge for system to change
CBC News, June 2, 2020
Ontario farms struggle to contain COVID-19 as migrant workers test positive
Globe and Mail, June 3, 2020
Advocates for migrant workers push for more rights during pandemic
CBC News, June 1, 2020
Chief Coroner of Ontario to investigate local migrant worker's COVID-19 death
Windsor Star, June 1, 2020
VIDEO: Health Teams Visit Migrant Workers
CTV News Windsor, June 2020
MARCH - MAY 2020
Haldimand-Norfolk is no longer distributing ID cards to migrant workers
CBC, May 20, 2020
Haldimand-Norfolk issues COVID-19 ID cards to migrant farm workers
CBC, May 11, 2020
Migrant workers need more protection during the pandemic, say advocates
National Post, May 7, 2020
Fears for worker and food safety mount for Ontario greenhouse under COVID-19 outbreak
CBC News, April 29, 2020
Norfolk County, Ont. coming up with their own plan to assist farmers with incoming migrant worker
Fruit & Vegetable, March 31, 2020
Norfolk County coming up with their own plan to assist farmers
Norfolk Today, March 28, 2020