Migrant worker health study challenged Tuesday, April 19, 2011 by SUSAN MANNA study documenting migrant workers’ health problems contains lots of wild and unsubstantiated claims, says Ontario Federal of Agriculture vice president Mark Wales.The study, called Temporary Migration, Chronic Effects: the Health of International Migrant Workers in Canada, was posted Monday on the Canadian Medical Association Journal website. The authors say workers are suffering from persistent back pain, eye and skin disorders and mental health problems. Their problems are linked to the grueling work they do on Canadian farms and poor living conditions. The authors surveyed 600 migrant workers in Ontario from 2007 to 2009. Wales says the study fails to differentiate between the Seasonal Agricultural Worker program, which is highly regulated by the federal government, and the Low Skills program, which never really had many rules. He says the rules for the seasonal worker program have been around for more than 30 years.“Those rules are agreed between the government of Canada and the governments of the Caribbean islands where the workers come from and the government of Mexico,” he explains.About 30,000 workers come to Ontario under the seasonal worker program, usually from April to November. Wales says Ontario farmers use 2,000 to 3,000 workers under the low skills program.Wales also questions why the study authors didn’t interview farmers or the liaison officers from the different countries supplying workers. Employees with problems can contact their country’s liaison officer any time during the day or night. And they’re told of that right on a regular basis.Another study, called Doctors Within Borders: Meeting the Health Care Needs of Migrant Farm Workers in Canada, was also posted on the Medical Association Journal’s website Monday.Authors in both studies say there’s a need for stringent federal housing regulations, better safety training, free safety equipment provided to workers, and for officials to ensure workers know their rights to health care. BF Farm groups jump into election fray Chicken board had authority to cap sales to Quebec, Tribunal rules
New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario Thursday, April 17, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online
Food Banks Canada and Egg Farmers of Canada celebrate 25 years of giving Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Egg Farmers of Canada and Food Banks Canada celebrate 25 years of providing food bank clients across the country with access to fresh, nutritious eggs. Now, with food bank visits surpassing two million each month—the highest level of all time—this collaboration has never been more... Read this article online
New board members for Ontario Pork Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online
You know you want it… Monday, April 14, 2025 On April 28, 2025, Aumann Auctions, Inc. is set to auction what is being called the GOAT (greatest of all time) John Deere sign of all time. This recently discovered will be one of the featured highlights of the . See... Read this article online
Health Fair Supports Migrant Workers Monday, April 14, 2025 A community-driven Health and Information Fair dedicated to supporting migrant and temporary foreign workers was recently held in Leamington, Ontario. Organized by the Migrant Workers Community Program (MWCP), the event took place at the Roma Club on April 13th and welcomed hundreds of... Read this article online