Ontario looks to seasonal agricultural workers program to fulfil labour shortages

paul@carib101.com

The importance of agriculture to the Ontario and Canadian economy cannot be overstated. As a major source of revenue, it brings in billions of dollars to the Ontario coffers. In the face of the chronic shortage of domestic workers over the years, the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) has been filling this need. The need is even more pronounced as fruit and vegetable farmers continue to recover from the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic. There have been many changes and adjustments made to deal with the new realities of agriculture post-COVID-19.

I interviewed Ken Forth, President of Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, and gave me updates about the state of SAWP. Forth is also a farmer himself and he cultivates broccoli on a farm just outside Hamilton. He told me that for 2023-2024 he estimates that there may be between 18,000 - 20,000 seasonal farm workers.

Ever since the first batch of 266 workers arrived in 1966 from Jamaica, the Caribbean has a regular source of committed and dedicated workers. They come not just from Jamaica but also: Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago but the Eastern Caribbean nations which include Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Monsterrat, St. Kitts - Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Mexico.

Ken reiterated that these domestic seasonal workers have access to full medical coverage and dental benefits. They are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) upon their arrival in Ontario as well as Workplace Safety Insurance coverage.

In addition, they have supplementary extended medical, dental and insurance plans at a minimal cost to them. The SAWP program is a fully developed one that arose out of a long-standing Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Canadian government and foreign governments of these countries.

Ken told me that he was aware of the criticisms that advocacy groups and activist organizations such as Justice for Migrants and Workers for Migrants have directed at some of the challenges and issues of SAWP. There were several seasonal domestic workers who died of COVID-19 and were injured on the jobs. He assured me that they have access to WSIB benefits if their claims are legitimate, and it occurred on the job. He is convinced that no one will be denied access to these benefits which are intended to help injured workers.

Ken noted that of the 1,100 farms in Ontario which have access to seasonal workers there are seasonal housing inspections conducted. This is done to ensure that they will be fully compliant as this was one area that was lacking in previous inspections. It has also been highlighted by Justice for Migrant Workers in their reports. Ken is concerned that critics of SAWP have overlooked the benefits that have accrued to the individuals and their families over the years as many of them have used their income to support their families and pay for their children’s education in postsecondary institutions.

Ken believes that there is hope for the expansion of SAWP as there will be increasing numbers of farmers retiring in the coming years. The aging of current farmers and their desire to give up farming will further exacerbate the labour shortage. This potentially could impact the economic competitiveness of Ontario as there could be fewer agricultural revenues to ensure a viable future. There is a need to make agricultural jobs more attractive to Canadians in order to ensure that it is seen as a viable and lucrative career choice for young Canadians.