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

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5 months ago

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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.

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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.

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Urban Alliance on Race Relations celebrates and highlights Racial Justice Award recipients

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been almost 40 years since the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of: promoting tolerance, social justice, racial equity and fairness. Since it was formed in 1975, they have celebrated and recognized changemakers in the fight for racial justice in diverse sectors such as: health, labour, government, education, arts, media, environment, and justice.

On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, there was a great turnout at the 2024 Racial Justice Awards Night held at The Estate Banquet & Event Centre in Scarborough. In attendance were many community supporters, civic officials, long-time racial justice warriors, and individuals from diverse ethnic groups.

UARR is grateful for all the sponsors of the Racial Justice Awards Night Celebration. It notes in its email to its supporters on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the importance of its sponsors including:

  • United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada, UFCW, Local 175
  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353
  • Unite Here! Local 75
  • Toronto & York Region Labour Council
  • Canadian Labour Congress
  • The Coalitions of Black Trade Union (CBTUL)

“Your sponsorship plays a vital role in shining a light on individuals and organizations driving equity, justice, and change in our communities. This celebration is more than an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to your support, we’re: honoring changemakers, amplifying unheard voices, and funding initiatives that break down systemic barriers.”

The categories and names of the awards and recipients were:

Racial Justice in Arts: Hannia Cheng

She is an artist and cultural worker who co-founded Unit 270, a DIY gallery and multi-purpose grassroots community hub in Chinatown Centre.

Racial Justice in Labour: Vanessa Story

She is the founder of the Black Youth York Region and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition.

Racial Justice in Education: Shannon Simpson

She is Senior Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto.

Racial Justice in Environment: Dr. Ingrid Waldron

She is a Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global and Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

Urban Alliance of Race Relations Agent of Change Award: Kirk Mark

He is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Consultant at KIRK Mark & Associates.

Racial Justice in Media: Amanda Parris

She is an award-winning writer, tv host and producer, and former host of CBC Arts Exhibitionist.

Racial Justice in Health: Camille Orridge

She is former CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN).

Racial Justice in Government: Amira Elghawaby

She is a journalist and human rights advocate who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.

Racial Justice in Justice: South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALC0)

This legal clinic supports low-income South Asian people in Canada.

The funds raised from the Awards night will be going toward the work of the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program. This innovative and creative program is directly involved in enabling racialized youth to get paid experience working in municipal governments and at various public policy making organizations across Canada.

The performers at the event included: Katheen Zaragosa (a Filipino music performer), Rithika Jeristus & Maya Jeristus (Bharatanatyam dancers) and Yasmin Said (spoken word artist)

UARR is looking forward to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and shared five of its strategic priorities for the next 10 years including:

  • Employment and economic opportunity: The goal is to foster inclusive workspaces and economic opportunities.
  • Education: The goal is to promote racial equity in education and research.
  • Communication: The goal is to expand public awareness and reach to amplify our stories.
  • Community engagement and outreach: The goal is building community capacity and convening towards change.
  • Truth and reconciliation-relationship building and supporting calls to action. The goal is to strengthen our solidarity and action towards truth and reconciliation.

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What is it about those short videos that keep us captivated? Oh! Yes! Our short attention span

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY KAHA GEDI

As our attention spans decrease, short form videos are becoming more popular. From TikTok, to YouTube Shorts, to Instagram Reels, these “snack sized” videos have positive qualities alongside the bad. Mainly we want to know what makes them so effective, and why are they becoming the go-to choice for both viewers and marketers? In this article, I will be discussing how these videos have received such popularity worldwide.

First, we need to understand what counts as and what is short-form content. According to blog.hubspot.com, “Short-form videos are videos that are less than 60 seconds long.” However, some marketers and content creators agree that short-form videos can be up to 3 minutes. “They are videos that deliver information in a ‘digestible’ format so that viewers can quickly watch and save content if they’re in a hurry or enjoy it.” Now, I’ll talk about the main reasons why these videos are so popular.

First, our attention spans have gone down exponentially. Dr Gloria Mark has written a book called “Attention Span,” and she says her research indicates people’s attention spans have been shrinking over the last 20 years. According to the same article Dr. Mark said that “Back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years, it became shorter. So, around 2012, we found it to be 75 seconds. Then in the last five, six years, we found it to average about 47 seconds.” So, it’s notable that our attention spans started out longer but then decreased over time.

Secondly, these videos have become cheaper and easier to make. Unlike long-form videos, which require extensive: planning, editing, and storytelling, short-form videos are simpler. To the point where they can even be shot on a smartphone. For example, DuoLingo, the app that helps learn new languages, went viral on TikTok a long time ago by posting funny, low-budget videos that resonate with millions. Like a video of a DuoLingo plus being: tossed down the stairs, sitting outside on a rainy day, or being soaked by the shower with the title “When you ignore my notifications.”

Lastly, they provide valuable information in a short amount of time, and they are easily accessible. According to a recent Adobe Survey, two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine, and nearly one in 10 Gen Zeers are more likely to rely on TikTok than Google as a search engine. This isn’t always reliable for real news because anyone can claim to be an expert, and you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth. So, even though they give valuable information in a short time, they can also give misinformation or mislead you.

Short-form videos have changed how we watch and learn things. They fit our short attention spans, are easy to make, and share information quickly. Even though they’re fun and helpful, they can also spread false information or leave out important details. Even with these problems, short-form videos are here to stay, so we should use them in proportion, but also enjoy the benefits.

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Dr. Edward McInnis on the Importance of Preventive Care in Family Medicine

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Preventive care is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing potential health concerns before they escalate into severe conditions. By focusing on proactive measures such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling, preventive care offers individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve long-term wellness.

Below, Edward McInnis highlights the transformative potential of prevention in reducing healthcare disparities, alleviating systemic challenges, and ensuring that every individual has the tools and access needed to lead a healthier life.

Understanding Preventive Care in Family Medicine

Preventive care in family medicine focuses on proactive measures to maintain health and prevent illness before it occurs. This approach emphasizes regular health evaluations, screenings, and interventions that identify potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of severe complications. Preventive care fosters long-term well-being by addressing risk factors and promoting healthier lifestyles while minimizing the burden of chronic diseases.

The philosophy behind preventive care aligns with the idea that staying healthy is more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after they arise. Early detection of conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol allows patients and physicians to manage these issues effectively, preventing them from escalating into more severe health problems. Beyond individual benefits, this care model contributes to healthier communities by reducing the overall demand for healthcare systems.

Benefits of Preventive Care for Individuals and Communities

Preventive care profoundly impacts individuals and the broader community by addressing potential health concerns before they evolve into severe conditions. Early detection through routine screenings can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This improves individual health outcomes and reduces the emotional and financial toll of managing advanced diseases.

Communities prioritizing preventive care experience a ripple effect of healthier populations and reduced strain on healthcare resources. When more people engage in regular check-ups and adopt healthier habits, the prevalence of preventable conditions drops, creating a collective benefit. Individuals who invest in their health through preventive measures often enjoy longer, more active lives, positively influencing families, workplaces, and society.

The economic advantages of preventive care are undeniable, as early intervention typically costs far less than treating advanced illnesses. Vaccination programs, such as those targeting seasonal flu or childhood diseases, can drastically curb outbreaks, saving lives and reducing medical expenses. These benefits demonstrate how preventive care is a cornerstone of sustainable and effective healthcare systems.

Core Preventive Services in Family Medicine

Family medicine emphasizes various preventive services designed to address health needs across all stages of life. Regular health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, are critical in identifying silent health risks. These assessments provide actionable insights that allow individuals to make timely adjustments to their lifestyles or begin treatment when necessary.

Vaccinations are another cornerstone of preventive care, protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases. From childhood immunizations to seasonal flu shots, these interventions safeguard personal health and prevent the spread of illnesses within larger populations. Counseling services, including guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management, empower patients to take an active role in their long-term well-being.

The Role of Family Physicians in Prevention

Family physicians play a pivotal role in fostering preventive care through their ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships with patients. These relationships enable them to understand not just medical histories but also lifestyle factors, family dynamics, and social determinants of health. This comprehensive knowledge allows physicians to craft personalized preventive strategies that resonate with each patient’s unique circumstances, ensuring a more practical approach to maintaining health.

Beyond individual care, family physicians act as educators, equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. Whether discussing the significance of regular screenings or addressing misconceptions about vaccines, their guidance helps patients take ownership of their health.

The continuity of care provided by family physicians also ensures that preventive measures are consistently monitored and adjusted as needed, fostering long-term well-being. Their ability to provide holistic and deeply personalized care sets the foundation for healthier patients and communities.

Challenges in Accessing Preventive Care

Despite its proven benefits, accessing preventive care remains challenging for many individuals and communities. Financial barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs, often deter people from seeking preventive services. Additionally, limited awareness about the importance of early detection and health promotion means that some individuals may only prioritize preventive care once a health issue becomes severe.

Geographical disparities also play a significant role in limiting access. Rural and underserved areas frequently face shortages of healthcare providers, making it difficult for residents to receive consistent preventive services. In such regions, innovative approaches like mobile health clinics and telemedicine have emerged as solutions to bridge the gap. Expanding these efforts could help overcome logistical obstacles and ensure that preventive care reaches those most in need.

Cultural factors and mistrust of the healthcare system can further complicate access to preventive services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes community engagement, culturally sensitive care, and efforts to build trust between healthcare providers and patients. Strengthening health literacy and facilitating dialogue between healthcare institutions and the communities they serve are also critical steps in overcoming these barriers.

Promoting and Advancing Preventive Care

Advancing preventive care depends on raising awareness and fostering a culture that values proactive health management. Educational campaigns, workplace wellness programs, and school-based health initiatives encourage people to adopt preventive practices. These efforts create an environment where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their well-being, leading to healthier lifestyles and earlier intervention.

The integration of technology is revolutionizing how preventive care is delivered. Wearable devices that track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns provide individuals with real-time data about their health, prompting timely action when irregularities arise. Similarly, data analytics and predictive tools enable healthcare providers to identify at-risk populations and deliver targeted interventions, improving outcomes on a broader scale.

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