Connect with us

Community News

Protect our Workers – When will Ontario start protecting their agricultural workers?

Published

4 months ago

on

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

This is probably round two or three of me calling out those Ontario farmers who hire overseas help from predominantly Caribbean islands, and the mistreatment and inhumane conditions that exist on their farms.

Before I dive into this article, I have a question for these Canadian: farmers, employers, or owners of these enterprises. How would you feel if your sons, or daughters were imported to the Caribbean, overworked like mules, underpaid, treated like hogs, and threatened with deportation, and, or loss of employment when they complain?

All this and more are what Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) is accusing you of. Just who is Justice for Migrant Workers? Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) is an all-volunteer collective comprising current and former workers, labour, community activists, and scholars who advocate for: fairness, dignity, and respect for agricultural workers.

In an open letter to Premier Doug Ford and David Piccini, Minister of Labour. Immigration, Training and Skills Development dated July 8th, 2024, (J4MW) made a plea for justice on behalf of the migrant workers. Here are some of what was said.

“2024 is once again becoming one of the hottest years on record. In the last few weeks alone, temperatures have soared, and Ontario has become a heat dome while tens of thousands of workers labour without heat protection. Farmworkers are 35 times more likely than the general public to die of heat exposure.”

In this open letter, J4MW reminded Ford and his government that, “The province should not wait for a tragedy to happen before it passes legislation to protect the foundation of Canada’s food system: farm workers.”

On June 24th, 2024, J4MW released a public statement imploring the provincial government to take immediate action to protect farm workers. J4MW released a similar statement in July of last year, to which the Ontario government responded with platitudes for farmworkers and a commitment to enacting heat regulations. Nearly one year on, no such laws have been enacted.

Does the Ford government need to be reminded that The Ontario Human Rights Commission has stated that access to cooling is a human rights issue and that people with disabilities, Black, and low-income community members are disproportionately affected when heat waves and other heat events occur? Denying migrant farmworkers, who are overwhelmingly racialized, who are more likely to be injured on the job, and who work long hours for little pay, is a form of environmental racism.

According to Justice for Migrant Workers, other jurisdictions have enacted protections, such as: Washington, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. The United States itself has proposed a national heat standard. When will Ontario become a trailblazer for workers’ protections, instead of implementing piecemeal standards that exclude agricultural workers?

A farm worker from Trinidad and Tobago named Johnathon is quoted as saying, “A lot of us are afraid to raise any attention, or speak out because we would be victimized, or not be requested back to work the following year in Canada if we did. A few days ago, while harvesting apples at approximately 2:00 pm, management told the bin operators to remove the bins of apples out of the fields because they were getting sunburned.”

Even the apples were treated better than Johnathon and his co-workers on these farms here in Ontario. “A lot of workers that are on farms work in conditions that a normal Canadian citizen will never do,” Johnathon said.

Here is a list of what the J4MW is asking Ford for:

  • Workers who work in the heat must be central and key decision makers in any proposed regulations regarding heat stress
  • Shutting down farms and paying workers in extreme crisis events
  • Paying workers when they are not employed as a result of climate-related issues such as: forest fires, extreme heat, major thunderstorms and heavy rain
  • Enacting heat stress protections for workers that are in the interest of workers
  • Strengthening anti-reprisal measures and proactive inspection
  • Implementing paid breaks and providing permanent paid sick days for agricultural workers
  • Providing sufficient shelters, functioning bathrooms and drinking water for workers at the expense of the employer
  • Providing first aid, hydration stations, and on-site medical support (RN or RPNs)
  • Permitting third party complaints at the Ontario Labour Relations Board
  • Ending agricultural exclusions under the Employment Standards Act
  • Incorporating race and gender analysis in both occupational health and safety and employment standards
  • Ensuring that agricultural harvesters are being paid holiday pay
  • Implementing clear trigger temperatures for extreme heat and humidity, including indoor temperatures (e.g., greenhouses)
  • Preventive measures to avoid overheating that include specific requirements for shade, acclimatization for new and returning workers, mandatory cool-down rest periods during high temperatures, along with access to preventive cool-down measures as needed
  • Extend OSHA protections to cover agricultural worker accommodations
  • Implement protections for both extreme heat and extreme cold temperatures

In fairness to the other side, we have decided to publish the PR and Vice President of FARMS response to the workers, and what he calls the media’s numerous misperceptions and inaccurate generalizations.

Here is his statement.

“Myth: Unemployed Canadians who want to work on fruit and vegetable farms are being denied jobs because growers are hiring temporary seasonal workers through SAWP.

Reality: SAWP was created in 1966 to help farmers respond to a shortage of agricultural labour and the program continues to serve the same role today. SAWP is a Canadians-first program, which means that seasonal labour is hired from participating countries only if agricultural operators cannot find domestic workers to fill vacancies.

Myth: Seasonal labour hired through SAWP are paid less than Canadian workers.

Reality: Seasonal workers hired through SAWP receive an hourly wage set by Human Resources & Skills Development Canada. The hourly rate is not less than the provincial minimum wage rate, or the local prevailing rate paid to Canadians doing the same job, whichever is greatest.

Myth: Seasonal workers hired through SAWP aren’t covered by the same employment rights as Canadian agricultural workers.

Reality: Workers hired through SAWP fall under the same employment rights as Canadians receive, such as WSIB, certain Employment Insurance benefits, occupational health and safety and provincial health care during their term of employment.

Myth: Housing for seasonal workers on agricultural operations is not subject to any guidelines.

Reality: Seasonal housing — provided at the expense of the employer — must be inspected annually by local Ministry of Health officials. Water is tested to ensure it meets safety standards and the housing unit is inspected to ensure it meets provincial guidelines. Employers are required to maintain seasonal housing units in good repair.”

Stephen Murdoch (Vice President, Public Relations)

I was not completely satisfied with the above statement, so I requested an interview with Mr. Ken Forth, a farmer, and President of FARMS (aka Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Service) and he was not happy with what was reported, he called them lies. I read to him the workers’ complaints, then gave him the floor, and these are his words. “So, they say, they very rarely identify a farm like saying this happened over here on this farm and by who, so who knows.”

When I mentioned to Johnathon the worker from Trinbago’s case, and the fear of reprisals, I could hear the displeasure in Forth’s tone as he replied, “I don’t know where that reprisal is coming from. Reprisals, reprisals, reprisals I hear that name all the time, I hear about abuse all the time from the advocacy groups, and those advocacy groups never set foot on a farm.”

“They talk about the heat, it is summer now, they talk about the cold, we are never going to win the argument with these people. The seasonal agricultural program has something we do not have, it has the nationals from those countries in our country looking after those workers.”

Forth went on to explain, “If they went to a farm and they saw all this widespread abuse, and all this nonsense, they would take the workers out. These advocacy groups just say anything that comes to their mind, I am here to tell you the truth.”

“Certain newspapers eat that stuff up like crazy, and they do not want to hear the rest of the story. They don’t want to hear the people that have worked on farms here for 30, 40, 50 years. I have been on this program for 55 years now.”

“Some politicians eat this thing up all for the sake of votes. Last year we had the Jamaican Minister come in here and check things out, and he found out that what was said in the press was not true,” FARMS president told me.

I asked Forth in his 55 years on the job, did he have to kick any bad farmers out? His answer was, “We don’t have that power, Service Canada has that power, and the ultimate power is the liaison service.”

He told me if he had to rate the program, he would give it a ten, because of all the regimes that have changed over the years in Canada and the Caribbean yet, the program is still in progress.

Ken Forth had a message for those advocates of farm workers and those he called uninformed media, “Be truthful with your accusations, pinpoint them, if there is an employer who is doing the wrong thing, identify him. Do not line up and shoot all the farmers.”

After showcasing both sides and wondering why these workers who complain keep going back to these farms, I came up with this; it is all good to request things from a government, but, if this government has a track record of not listening, just know that you are wasting your time.

We established long ago that these inhumane treatments are reserved for predominantly racialized folks. Around 30,000 – 40,000 migrant agricultural workers from: the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and other Global South regions work in Ontario farms each year, with southwestern Ontario employing most of these workers.  How can this be remedied? Here is my humble opinion.

Sometimes as needy folks, we must learn to deny our needs and say NO to an oppressor. This could mean not coming to work on a modern-day slave master’s farm in Ontario.

It is a supply-and-demand game, remember? When an oppressed people stop supplying the slave master with their blood and sweat, he or she will have to look for other means to meet the demands.

Related Topics:

In his new role as a reporter and Journalist, Michael can he be described in two words: brilliant, and relentless. Michael Thomas aka Redman was born in Grenada, and at an early age realized his love for music. He began his musical journey as a reggae performer with the street DJs and selectors. After he moved to Toronto in 1989, he started singing with the calypso tents, and in 2008, and 2009 he won the People’s Choice Award and the coveted title of Calypso Monarch. He has taken this same passion, and has begun to focus his attention on doing working within the community.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Community News

Canada is Sinking – Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada?

Published

3 days ago

on

November 12, 2024

By

BY ADRIAN REECE

At some point Toronto was a city that people enjoyed living in. Recent political leadership at every level of government has caused citizens to consider moving out of the country as a whole. The high cost of living, coupled with the difficulty affording housing, and remote work becoming more regular has made the rest of the world seem much more appealing for Canadians as a whole.

Many countries are offering travel perks and visas to travelers in the west, to encourage them to visit, or to even move into their countries. Costa Rica, Japan, and France currently have travel perks and have opened their borders to make it easier to enter. Specifically for Canadians and even more specifically Torontonians who work remotely, are looking to countries and cities with lower costs of living. The Canadian dollar goes far in other parts of the world.

We owe the struggling economy to a few factors. Political leadership has greatly impacted the state of Canada, immigration policies that have changed over the years have caused stress on Canadian citizens.

In 2023, the federal government released its new Immigration Levels Plan to welcome 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025 and 2026. This announcement came on the heels of an Environics public opinion survey revealing a significant increase in the number of Canadians who believe the country accepts too many immigrants. That marks a dramatic reversal from a year ago, when support for immigration levels stood at an all-time high.

The Trudeau led government has held true to their commitment to bring in millions of immigrants in a short span of time. Housing policy is draining the income of Canadians, and political debates do not provide any real answers towards understanding what is going on in the country. Consistent political scandals regarding Trudeau overspending, and not adhering to budgets, and using money that was originally allocated for certain things. Trudeau was audited and it was found that $123 million was given to ineligible businesses, or projects that should have never been awarded at all. This is one in a long list of Trudeau scandals that have been a part of Canada political identity for the last nine years.

Trudeau’s government has even siphoned off funds to their personal businesses, after audits by the auditor general, we have seen too many inconsistencies with the funding of the Trudeau government in misusing funds as well as money disappearing into places that it should not be going.

In June of this year, the auditor general (AG) released two reports about: improper contracting practices, conflict of interest, and funding provided for ineligible projects. What these reports brought to light is an unpleasant reality; politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa do not always act in the best interest of Canadians.

According to the first AG report, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the federal agency responsible for funding green technology projects, demonstrated “significant lapses… in governance and stewardship of public funds.” Nearly 20% of the SDTC projects examined by the AG were in fact ineligible (based on the government’s own rules) for funding, with a total price tag of $59 million. There were also 90 instances where the SDTC ignored conflict of interest provisions while awarding $76 million to various projects. Indeed, the AG found 63 cases where SDTC agency directors voted in favour of payments to companies in which they had declared interest.

The second AG report focused on 97 contracts totaling $209 million awarded by the federal government to the McKinsey & Company consulting firm from 2011 to 2023. According to the AG, the government demonstrated “frequent disregard for procurement policies and guidance and that contracting practices often did not demonstrate value for money.” About 70% of these contracts were awarded non-competitively, meaning no other companies were permitted to bid on the contracts. Interesting!

These findings also follow an earlier report in February that found the federal government “repeatedly failed to follow good management practices in the: contracting, development, and implementation” of the ArriveCAN mobile app, which cost Canadian taxpayers at least $59.5 million.

Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada? Potentially, it will take a lot more investigation to confirm if that is really the case. However, Canadians can see that there has been a drastic change in the economy since the Trudeau government has come into power.

For governments to work there needs to be transparency, and there has been a lack there of in regard to our political leadership in the last few years. There are too many scandals and too many mishaps with money. Too many policies that do not benefit the citizenry, and not enough effort made to rectify the sinking economy.

Canada cannot continue to stay in these dire straits, we are sinking, and leadership plays a big role in the state of the country. We won’t see changes unless we demand it, we can take a page out of France’s method of protest; other countries have set a precedent of what their expectations are, and Canadians need to do the same. They need to demand change and implement strategies to achieve it. Within acceptable methods of protest there exists a strategy and method of changing the nature of Canada’s problems, but it starts with the citizenry. Coming together is the greatest power we have, and we need to utilize it.

REFERENCES:

https://www.environicsinstitute.org/projects/project-details/public-opinion-about-immigration-refugees

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2023-2025.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202402_01_e_44428.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_06_e_44493.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_e_44491.html

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/article/scathing-auditor-general-reports-underscore-political-realities

Continue Reading

Community News

The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival – where every bite tells a story, and every sip celebrates Jamaica’s vibrant soul

Published

3 days ago

on

November 12, 2024

By

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

What if I told you that Visa is offering two amazing opportunities that YOU, our loyal readers have an opportunity to take part in? For one of our lucky readers, you have a chance to:

  • Win a trip to Trinidad Carnival 2025
  • Win a trip to Jamaica

“What is this all about Simone,” you might be asking? Well, the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) turns 10 this year, and Visa International is thrilled to be part of the celebration once again. Welcome to the heart of Jamaica’s culinary playground – the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, where flavours, culture, and music blend into one unforgettable celebration.

Step into the lively Craft Market downtown, where the spirit of Jamaica comes alive. Here, they celebrate the island’s rich history and vibrant flavours – an ode to the past. Guests get a chance to immerse themselves in the legacy of festival favourites like: Crisp, Chopstix, Pork Palooza, and Picante – all in one electrifying space.

Taste, sip, and groove your way through the night, reliving fond festival memories while savouring the global influences that have shaped the iconic dishes we love today – no passport required (except to travel of course)!

As the hot days turn into steamy nights, and steamy nights turn into sweltering days, what better way to close out the festivities than with one last delectable event? The finale is not just a celebration, but a reflection of Jamaica’s culinary renaissance. After four unforgettable days, guests get a chance to honour the island’s: finest chefs, mixologists, and artisans who have made this festival a true showcase of creativity and passion.

Naturally, the festival had to find accommodations that match its prestige, and the only hotels of choice this year are: The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites. At the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Caribbean’s most distinguished address, you will experience the perfect blend of elegance and island charm. Nestled in the heart of New Kingston, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the Caribbean Sea, this 17-storey gem is where business meets leisure in true Jamaican style. You also have the option of immersing yourself in the timeless charm of The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, a true jewel of Jamaica’s capital city. With spacious accommodations, award-winning dining, and all the modern comforts, it is the perfect way to end your festival experience.

Waldemar Cordero, Marketing Senior Director for Visa in the Caribbean and Central America, expressed his excitement about being involved in the festival’s decade-long run. “We’re really excited to be part of the 10th staging of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. It’s amazing to see how far this festival has come, and we’re proud to have been part of the journey over the last 6 years. This festival isn’t just about food, it’s about celebrating Jamaica’s rich culture and the incredible talent that drives it.”

Visa’s partnership with JFDF has grown over the years, evolving from a traditional sponsorship into a dynamic collaboration that enhances the festival experience for everyone. “Our relationship with the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has deepened over time,” said Waldemar. “We’ve moved from simply being a sponsor to becoming the main partner, working closely with the organizers to bring fresh, exciting elements to the event each year. This time around, we’re especially excited about the initiatives we’re rolling out that will make it easier and more enjoyable for attendees to experience all that the festival has to offer.”

Visa is excited to enhance the celebration of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival’s milestone 10th year by offering an exclusive hospitality package to Trinidad Carnival 2025. One lucky Visa cardholder who purchases festival tickets between October 16th and November 9th, 2024, will win this incredible experience. This offering includes: two economy class tickets from Kingston, Jamaica to Port of Spain, Trinidad; six nights of luxury accommodation at the Hyatt Regency; and comprehensive airport transfers and event transportation. The winner and their guest will enjoy: inclusive meals, stylish Monday Wear and Carnival Tuesday costumes, and access to premier events such as Brian Lara’s Event and PinkNicTT. Additionally, they will be treated to glamour make-up and photos. This package promises to deliver an unforgettable festival experience and celebrate the unified Caribbean culture in style.

In addition, one lucky winner from our Caribbean neighbour Trinidad and Tobago, who uses the First Citizens Bank card in Trinidad, will win a trip for two to the Food and Drink Festival in Jamaica. This is an all-expense paid trip for two with the winners to ensure the festival and enjoy scenic places in Jamaica such as Dunn’s River Falls and Port Royal. Ready for that almost winter getaway? Visit https://jafoodanddrink.com/ for more details. Good luck!

Continue Reading

Community News

Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued

Published

3 days ago

on

November 12, 2024

By

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

At the heart of the University of Windsor’s campus, centrally located in the lower level of the CAW Student Centre, lies a space dedicated to fostering: African-Caribbean excellence, academic growth, and community empowerment: The Black Scholars Institute, or BSI.

The BSI Lounge is more than just a meeting place. It is a safe and welcoming space for African/-Caribbean faculty, staff, and students—a venue that fosters not only academic engagement, but community connection. Here, important university and local events, aligned with the Institute’s mission and values, take place.

The Black Scholars Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute—a home for African-Caribbean scholars at UWindsor. It is dedicated to advancing Black excellence and liberation through scholarship, research, and community engagement. The Institute’s work enriches teaching, learning, and social justice efforts across the University, with a focus on making an impact nationally and globally.

BSI hosts a range of weekly programs that encourage meaningful dialogue and academic collaboration. Events such as “Think Tank Thursday” provide a platform for African-Caribbean faculty and students to come together, exchange ideas, and discuss relevant research and current events. For those who are deep in their academic work, “Just Write” sessions offer dedicated time for focused writing in a supportive environment. “Coffee and Convo,” a collaboration with Leddy Library, creates space to explore Black literature and hold thought-provoking discussions around important topics.

Graduate students are invited to participate in student saloons, where they present their works-in-progress in a safe, inclusive space, where they can receive valuable feedback from peers and faculty members alike. Additionally, the “Black Research Spotlight” shines a light on the groundbreaking work of African Caribbean scholars, providing them with a platform to showcase their research and innovations.

In recognition of the challenges posed by systemic anti-Black racism, the BSI offers its members a membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, providing on-demand access to a wealth of professional development resources. This is just one of the ways BSI ensures its scholars are well-equipped to thrive and succeed in their academic careers. As a research institute, BSI is committed to supporting Black Studies and promoting excellence in scholarships. One vital aspect of this is the awarding of grants to Black scholars. These grants are instrumental in advancing research that is often overlooked in traditional funding competitions.

While visiting the University earlier this month, I learned more about some of the challenges that have been faced in opening BSI. The establishment of this initiative was approved by the University of Windsor’s Senate on October 7th, 2022. The initiative is in alignment with the University’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter (utoronto.ca) on anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. In 2023, the University of Windsor (UWindsor) announced their new academic home that would spotlight: Black excellence, scholarship, research, and community. The inaugural Black Scholars Institute (BSI) at UWindsor, was formally launched in September 2024.

Dr. Clinton Beckford, UWindsor’s Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, envisions that the BSI will be the institutional home for Blackness at the University. “The establishment of a Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor is ground-breaking and transformative,” he says.  “It positions the University of Windsor as a post-secondary leader in intellectual thought and practice around Blackness and makes real our commitments to Black flourishing and thriving at and beyond the institution.”

The BSI will work closely with UWindsor’s Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies Department within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Building a Black Scholars academic program represents an innovative plan of action intended to meaningfully understand UWindsor’s approach to African-Caribbean ways of knowing in Canadian universities. The expected output will enhance UWindsor’s research profile in Black Studies and feature scholarly work, special events, speakers’ series, mentorship, and more.

Dr. Camisha Sibblis, the Director at BSI, is hopeful that the institute will enrich the experiences of Black faculty at UWindsor. “We believe that the inclusion of Black peoples, ways of learning and knowledge systems are integral to the growth of our community. The establishment of the BSI is a crucial part of fulfilling the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreement (ontario.ca) and purposefully moving the institution into the future. The Institute will enhance the University’s research profile and will also establish the University as a center of excellence in Windsor-Essex and the Detroit area – a region known for its historic importance for Black people in North America.”

Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued through scholarship, research, and community engagement.

Continue Reading

Trending