if you’ll humor me I’d like to start off my talk today with a little thought
my talk today with a little thought
my talk today with a little thought experiment I invite you to imagine what
experiment I invite you to imagine what
experiment I invite you to imagine what it would be like to be born in a country
it would be like to be born in a country
it would be like to be born in a country in which poverty is rampant you and your
in which poverty is rampant you and your
in which poverty is rampant you and your five siblings grow up in a one-room
five siblings grow up in a one-room
five siblings grow up in a one-room Shack without running water all of you
Shack without running water all of you
Shack without running water all of you are expected to pitch in on a small plot
are expected to pitch in on a small plot
are expected to pitch in on a small plot of communal land growing food to sustain
of communal land growing food to sustain
of communal land growing food to sustain yourselves with all of you working
yourselves with all of you working
yourselves with all of you working you’re able to put food on the table but
you’re able to put food on the table but
you’re able to put food on the table but you aren’t able to save enough to
you aren’t able to save enough to
you aren’t able to save enough to improve your housing or other
improve your housing or other
improve your housing or other circumstances you only receive some
circumstances you only receive some
circumstances you only receive some elementary school education and your
elementary school education and your
elementary school education and your life prospects are limited you grow up
life prospects are limited you grow up
life prospects are limited you grow up get married and start your own family
get married and start your own family
get married and start your own family but you have no way to live
but you have no way to live
but you have no way to live independently or to improve life for
independently or to improve life for
independently or to improve life for your kids you noticed in your village
your kids you noticed in your village
your kids you noticed in your village that some families are starting to
that some families are starting to
that some families are starting to improve their Lots they’re building
improve their Lots they’re building
improve their Lots they’re building larger homes with indoor bathrooms and
larger homes with indoor bathrooms and
larger homes with indoor bathrooms and kitchens they can afford electronics and
kitchens they can afford electronics and
kitchens they can afford electronics and nice clothing their kids don’t have to
nice clothing their kids don’t have to
nice clothing their kids don’t have to drop out of school some even go on to
drop out of school some even go on to
drop out of school some even go on to university you realize that among these
university you realize that among these
university you realize that among these families there’s typically a parent who
families there’s typically a parent who
families there’s typically a parent who has gone abroad for work
has gone abroad for work
has gone abroad for work although these families spend much of
although these families spend much of
although these families spend much of their lives apart at least they’re able
their lives apart at least they’re able
their lives apart at least they’re able to better build a better future for
to better build a better future for
to better build a better future for those who stay behind it’s an immense
those who stay behind it’s an immense
those who stay behind it’s an immense sacrifice and as the breadwinner for
sacrifice and as the breadwinner for
sacrifice and as the breadwinner for your family you realize that is one you
your family you realize that is one you
your family you realize that is one you will also be expected to make so you
will also be expected to make so you
will also be expected to make so you consider the options of where to migrate
consider the options of where to migrate
consider the options of where to migrate the typical choice is the United States
the typical choice is the United States
the typical choice is the United States but this is risky first you have to
but this is risky first you have to
but this is risky first you have to somehow come up with thousands of
somehow come up with thousands of
somehow come up with thousands of dollars to pay a human smuggler to help
dollars to pay a human smuggler to help
dollars to pay a human smuggler to help you cross the border with no guarantees
you cross the border with no guarantees
you cross the border with no guarantees of success then you have to risk your
of success then you have to risk your
of success then you have to risk your life crossing a desert or water body
life crossing a desert or water body
life crossing a desert or water body with little food or belongings many
with little food or belongings many
with little food or belongings many people have died this way and you fear
people have died this way and you fear
people have died this way and you fear for your fate
for your fate
for your fate even if you manage to get in you will
even if you manage to get in you will
even if you manage to get in you will then be considered illegal and you’ll
then be considered illegal and you’ll
then be considered illegal and you’ll face the constant threat of deportation
face the constant threat of deportation
face the constant threat of deportation under a president who is vowed to crack
under a president who is vowed to crack
under a president who is vowed to crack down on bad hombres like you and you may
down on bad hombres like you and you may
down on bad hombres like you and you may not see your family again for years you
not see your family again for years you
not see your family again for years you feel overwhelmed by the prospect then
feel overwhelmed by the prospect then
feel overwhelmed by the prospect then you learn of another option there’s a
you learn of another option there’s a
you learn of another option there’s a program in Canada that would allow you
program in Canada that would allow you
program in Canada that would allow you to work for up to eight months a year
to work for up to eight months a year
to work for up to eight months a year traveling back and forth on an airplane
traveling back and forth on an airplane
traveling back and forth on an airplane you’d be legally employed so you’d be
you’d be legally employed so you’d be
you’d be legally employed so you’d be active you’d be able to access certain
active you’d be able to access certain
active you’d be able to access certain protections like health care each year
protections like health care each year
protections like health care each year you’d be able to save a little bit more
you’d be able to save a little bit more
you’d be able to save a little bit more to feed and educate your kids and to
to feed and educate your kids and to
to feed and educate your kids and to build your home you apply to your
build your home you apply to your
build your home you apply to your government’s Ministry of Labour you go
government’s Ministry of Labour you go
government’s Ministry of Labour you go through an interview and you take part
through an interview and you take part
through an interview and you take part in a medical exam to ensure that you’re
in a medical exam to ensure that you’re
in a medical exam to ensure that you’re a healthy and able to handle demanding
a healthy and able to handle demanding
a healthy and able to handle demanding work you were thrilled to hear when
work you were thrilled to hear when
work you were thrilled to hear when you’ve been accepted you attend an
you’ve been accepted you attend an
you’ve been accepted you attend an orientation session in which you are
orientation session in which you are
orientation session in which you are warned to work hard and obey your
warned to work hard and obey your
warned to work hard and obey your employer’s you reminded that there are
employer’s you reminded that there are
employer’s you reminded that there are thousands of other workers in line ready
thousands of other workers in line ready
thousands of other workers in line ready to take your place then you wait you
to take your place then you wait you
to take your place then you wait you don’t know when you will leave or where
don’t know when you will leave or where
don’t know when you will leave or where you will go in Canada one day you were
you will go in Canada one day you were
you will go in Canada one day you were called and you’re told to go to the
called and you’re told to go to the
called and you’re told to go to the airport it’s your first time on an
airport it’s your first time on an
airport it’s your first time on an airplane and when you arrived you’re
airplane and when you arrived you’re
airplane and when you arrived you’re taken to a little-known gem of the world
taken to a little-known gem of the world
taken to a little-known gem of the world called Brantford Ontario it’s freezing
called Brantford Ontario it’s freezing
called Brantford Ontario it’s freezing when you land and you don’t have any
when you land and you don’t have any
when you land and you don’t have any warm clothes you don’t know anyone and
warm clothes you don’t know anyone and
warm clothes you don’t know anyone and you don’t speak the language you have to
you don’t speak the language you have to
you don’t speak the language you have to rely on your employer for pretty much
rely on your employer for pretty much
rely on your employer for pretty much everything from your access to food
everything from your access to food
everything from your access to food housing health care and work it’s
housing health care and work it’s
housing health care and work it’s crucial that you maintain a good
crucial that you maintain a good
crucial that you maintain a good relationship with them because their
relationship with them because their
relationship with them because their positive evaluation is what will
positive evaluation is what will
positive evaluation is what will determine if you can come back the next
determine if you can come back the next
determine if you can come back the next year you discover that the work is
year you discover that the work is
year you discover that the work is harder than you expected you work 10 to
harder than you expected you work 10 to
harder than you expected you work 10 to 14 hour days six to seven days a week
14 hour days six to seven days a week
14 hour days six to seven days a week often in extreme temperatures with
often in extreme temperatures with
often in extreme temperatures with repetitive bending and lifting and
repetitive bending and lifting and
repetitive bending and lifting and constant pressure to work faster
constant pressure to work faster
constant pressure to work faster sometimes you’re exposed to chemicals
sometimes you’re exposed to chemicals
sometimes you’re exposed to chemicals you notice a rash developing and pain
you notice a rash developing and pain
you notice a rash developing and pain in your back that’s getting worse you
in your back that’s getting worse you
in your back that’s getting worse you feel overwhelmed with sadness missing
feel overwhelmed with sadness missing
feel overwhelmed with sadness missing your family you know that you’re
your family you know that you’re
your family you know that you’re entitled to health care but you haven’t
entitled to health care but you haven’t
entitled to health care but you haven’t yet been given a health card and you
yet been given a health card and you
yet been given a health card and you don’t want to complain or ask for time
don’t want to complain or ask for time
don’t want to complain or ask for time off because you don’t want to stand out
off because you don’t want to stand out
off because you don’t want to stand out or do anything to risk losing your job
or do anything to risk losing your job
or do anything to risk losing your job when your symptoms don’t resolve you
when your symptoms don’t resolve you
when your symptoms don’t resolve you realize you need to do something so on
realize you need to do something so on
realize you need to do something so on the one night when you and all of your
the one night when you and all of your
the one night when you and all of your other co-workers are bused into town to
other co-workers are bused into town to
other co-workers are bused into town to buy groceries you wait in a long line
buy groceries you wait in a long line
buy groceries you wait in a long line I’ve had a walk-in clinic only to be
I’ve had a walk-in clinic only to be
I’ve had a walk-in clinic only to be seen by a doctor who doesn’t speak your
seen by a doctor who doesn’t speak your
seen by a doctor who doesn’t speak your language who doesn’t understand your
language who doesn’t understand your
language who doesn’t understand your issues and who rushes you through the
issues and who rushes you through the
issues and who rushes you through the appointment without your health card
appointment without your health card
appointment without your health card you’ve asked to pay you waited so long
you’ve asked to pay you waited so long
you’ve asked to pay you waited so long in line that you don’t even have time to
in line that you don’t even have time to
in line that you don’t even have time to get your groceries before the bus
get your groceries before the bus
get your groceries before the bus departs for the farm you just decide
departs for the farm you just decide
departs for the farm you just decide it’s not worth taking healthcare and
it’s not worth taking healthcare and
it’s not worth taking healthcare and you’re resolved to working through your
you’re resolved to working through your
you’re resolved to working through your pain and your rash and your sadness all
pain and your rash and your sadness all
pain and your rash and your sadness all of which only get worse so what I just
of which only get worse so what I just
of which only get worse so what I just described is one example of the reality
described is one example of the reality
described is one example of the reality of about 50,000 men and women who come
of about 50,000 men and women who come
of about 50,000 men and women who come from countries like Mexico and Jamaica
from countries like Mexico and Jamaica
from countries like Mexico and Jamaica to grow the food we eat here in Ontario
to grow the food we eat here in Ontario
to grow the food we eat here in Ontario and throughout Canada as temporary
and throughout Canada as temporary
and throughout Canada as temporary foreign agricultural workers these
foreign agricultural workers these
foreign agricultural workers these workers have been coming here year after
workers have been coming here year after
workers have been coming here year after year for over half a century here’s one
year for over half a century here’s one
year for over half a century here’s one of the first crews around 1966 yet few
of the first crews around 1966 yet few
of the first crews around 1966 yet few Canadians have ever heard of them and
Canadians have ever heard of them and
Canadians have ever heard of them and even fewer have ever interacted with
even fewer have ever interacted with
even fewer have ever interacted with them they work in one of the most
them they work in one of the most
them they work in one of the most demanding and dangerous industries in
demanding and dangerous industries in
demanding and dangerous industries in our country they normally earn minimum
our country they normally earn minimum
our country they normally earn minimum wage and they pay our taxes and into
wage and they pay our taxes and into
wage and they pay our taxes and into employment insurance even though they
employment insurance even though they
employment insurance even though they can never receive the benefits employers
can never receive the benefits employers
can never receive the benefits employers often say that their operations could
often say that their operations could
often say that their operations could not survive without migrant workers
not survive without migrant workers
not survive without migrant workers why can’t farms attract enough Canadians
why can’t farms attract enough Canadians
why can’t farms attract enough Canadians to do these jobs well this is one
to do these jobs well this is one
to do these jobs well this is one example of a real job at seeking workers
example of a real job at seeking workers
example of a real job at seeking workers for an Ontario farm employers are
for an Ontario farm employers are
for an Ontario farm employers are required to post ads like this before
required to post ads like this before
required to post ads like this before they can apply for temporary foreign
they can apply for temporary foreign
they can apply for temporary foreign workers it reads must be able to work in
workers it reads must be able to work in
workers it reads must be able to work in a fast-paced environment repetitive
a fast-paced environment repetitive
a fast-paced environment repetitive tasks
tasks
tasks handling heavy loads attention to detail
handling heavy loads attention to detail
handling heavy loads attention to detail sitting standing for extended periods
sitting standing for extended periods
sitting standing for extended periods bending approaching kneeling physically
bending approaching kneeling physically
bending approaching kneeling physically demanding in hot dusty outdoors and then
demanding in hot dusty outdoors and then
demanding in hot dusty outdoors and then cold confined spaces $11 an hour with
cold confined spaces $11 an hour with
cold confined spaces $11 an hour with experience must work seven days a week
experience must work seven days a week
experience must work seven days a week does this sound like your kind of a
does this sound like your kind of a
does this sound like your kind of a dream job I think you can imagine why
dream job I think you can imagine why
dream job I think you can imagine why there wasn’t a lineup of Canadian
there wasn’t a lineup of Canadian
there wasn’t a lineup of Canadian workers seeking this position yet for
workers seeking this position yet for
workers seeking this position yet for many migrant workers this job may be
many migrant workers this job may be
many migrant workers this job may be their best shot at improving lives for
their best shot at improving lives for
their best shot at improving lives for their families migrant workers have
their families migrant workers have
their families migrant workers have become the invisible backbone of our
become the invisible backbone of our
become the invisible backbone of our local agricultural economies and
local agricultural economies and
local agricultural economies and communities including this one the red
communities including this one the red
communities including this one the red areas on this map indicate those at the
areas on this map indicate those at the
areas on this map indicate those at the highest concentration of migrant workers
highest concentration of migrant workers
highest concentration of migrant workers as you can see the majority of them work
as you can see the majority of them work
as you can see the majority of them work in southern Ontario in the area
in southern Ontario in the area
in southern Ontario in the area surrounding where we are right now these
surrounding where we are right now these
surrounding where we are right now these men and women are our unseen neighbors
men and women are our unseen neighbors
men and women are our unseen neighbors how many of you ate a fruit or a
how many of you ate a fruit or a
how many of you ate a fruit or a vegetable today good well I hope you did
vegetable today good well I hope you did
vegetable today good well I hope you did they’re good for you if you did you
they’re good for you if you did you
they’re good for you if you did you tasted the product of their labor we are
tasted the product of their labor we are
tasted the product of their labor we are all connected to migrant workers so for
all connected to migrant workers so for
all connected to migrant workers so for the past 12 years I’ve had the privilege
the past 12 years I’ve had the privilege
the past 12 years I’ve had the privilege of conducting research with migrant
of conducting research with migrant
of conducting research with migrant workers and their families here in
workers and their families here in
workers and their families here in Ontario as well as in Mexico and Jamaica
Ontario as well as in Mexico and Jamaica
Ontario as well as in Mexico and Jamaica I traced the health issues that they
I traced the health issues that they
I traced the health issues that they experienced and the barriers that they
experienced and the barriers that they
experienced and the barriers that they often encounter to accessing healthcare
often encounter to accessing healthcare
often encounter to accessing healthcare workers compensation and other
workers compensation and other
workers compensation and other protections now many aspects of what I
protections now many aspects of what I
protections now many aspects of what I discovered shocked and saddened me but
discovered shocked and saddened me but
discovered shocked and saddened me but one of the most frustrating was the
one of the most frustrating was the
one of the most frustrating was the workers inability to access the health
workers inability to access the health
workers inability to access the health care system to which they are legally
care system to which they are legally
care system to which they are legally entitled when they needed it my
entitled when they needed it my
entitled when they needed it my colleagues and I and various community
colleagues and I and various community
colleagues and I and various community and labor groups have written about this
and labor groups have written about this
and labor groups have written about this situation in numerous articles and
situation in numerous articles and
situation in numerous articles and reports we’ve met with politicians and
reports we’ve met with politicians and
reports we’ve met with politicians and we’ve testified to parliamentary
we’ve testified to parliamentary
we’ve testified to parliamentary committees despite the risks many
committees despite the risks many
committees despite the risks many migrant workers have also spoken out
migrant workers have also spoken out
migrant workers have also spoken out they’ve started petitions they’ve held
they’ve started petitions they’ve held
they’ve started petitions they’ve held rallies to protest for better rights yet
rallies to protest for better rights yet
rallies to protest for better rights yet even with this ample evidence of the
even with this ample evidence of the
even with this ample evidence of the problems facing migrant workers little
problems facing migrant workers little
problems facing migrant workers little has changed
has changed
has changed when our government didn’t act we
when our government didn’t act we
when our government didn’t act we started to look for community-based
started to look for community-based
started to look for community-based solutions I learned of a group called
solutions I learned of a group called
solutions I learned of a group called the occupational health clinics for
the occupational health clinics for
the occupational health clinics for Ontario workers or ocal now these are
Ontario workers or ocal now these are
Ontario workers or ocal now these are clinics that specialize in occupational
clinics that specialize in occupational
clinics that specialize in occupational health and they’re multidisciplinary
health and they’re multidisciplinary
health and they’re multidisciplinary teams when all Kyle learned that the
teams when all Kyle learned that the
teams when all Kyle learned that the problems facing migrant workers they hit
problems facing migrant workers they hit
problems facing migrant workers they hit the ground running to provide
the ground running to provide
the ground running to provide specialized places where workers could
specialized places where workers could
specialized places where workers could receive free care with the assistance of
receive free care with the assistance of
receive free care with the assistance of translators at times and can places
translators at times and can places
translators at times and can places convenient to them like at shopping
convenient to them like at shopping
convenient to them like at shopping malls or worker support centers or even
malls or worker support centers or even
malls or worker support centers or even soccer matches which it turns out is
soccer matches which it turns out is
soccer matches which it turns out is very handy if you happen to get a soccer
very handy if you happen to get a soccer
very handy if you happen to get a soccer ball to the head so at first these
ball to the head so at first these
ball to the head so at first these efforts were very informal with a doctor
efforts were very informal with a doctor
efforts were very informal with a doctor nurse and translator showing up in
nurse and translator showing up in
nurse and translator showing up in communities and seeing if any workers
communities and seeing if any workers
communities and seeing if any workers needed alt and it didn’t take long
needed alt and it didn’t take long
needed alt and it didn’t take long before many clients were interested in
before many clients were interested in
before many clients were interested in seeing receiving the services now after
seeing receiving the services now after
seeing receiving the services now after learning of the occupational health
learning of the occupational health
learning of the occupational health needs facing workers oka also started
needs facing workers oka also started
needs facing workers oka also started hosting information based prevention
hosting information based prevention
hosting information based prevention workshop sometimes in partnership with
workshop sometimes in partnership with
workshop sometimes in partnership with employers who allowed them onto their
employers who allowed them onto their
employers who allowed them onto their firms but these were all very exciting
firms but these were all very exciting
firms but these were all very exciting developments but the capacity of these
developments but the capacity of these
developments but the capacity of these efforts to meet all the needs of migrant
efforts to meet all the needs of migrant
efforts to meet all the needs of migrant workers was limited we needed more hands
workers was limited we needed more hands
workers was limited we needed more hands on deck so in partnership with some
on deck so in partnership with some
on deck so in partnership with some Laurier colleagues and some community
Laurier colleagues and some community
Laurier colleagues and some community groups we founded the migrant worker
groups we founded the migrant worker
groups we founded the migrant worker health project with aim to educate other
health project with aim to educate other
health project with aim to educate other healthcare providers about the issues
healthcare providers about the issues
healthcare providers about the issues and encourage them to make their
and encourage them to make their
and encourage them to make their services more accessible we made a
services more accessible we made a
services more accessible we made a website and printed resources and we
website and printed resources and we
website and printed resources and we gave presentations around the province
gave presentations around the province
gave presentations around the province now sharing the information was helpful
now sharing the information was helpful
now sharing the information was helpful but it didn’t solve the problem many
but it didn’t solve the problem many
but it didn’t solve the problem many clinicians indicated they would love to
clinicians indicated they would love to
clinicians indicated they would love to do more but they didn’t have the
do more but they didn’t have the
do more but they didn’t have the resources it’s hard to convince people
resources it’s hard to convince people
resources it’s hard to convince people to spend money on a population that has
to spend money on a population that has
to spend money on a population that has no voting power we were starting to get
no voting power we were starting to get
no voting power we were starting to get used to disappointment but then we met
used to disappointment but then we met
used to disappointment but then we met with Donna crips
with Donna crips
with Donna crips the CEO of the Hamilton Niagara haldeman
the CEO of the Hamilton Niagara haldeman
the CEO of the Hamilton Niagara haldeman Brant local health integration network
Brant local health integration network
Brant local health integration network now that’s the mouthful so we’ll just
now that’s the mouthful so we’ll just
now that’s the mouthful so we’ll just call it the Lyn now when I told Donna
call it the Lyn now when I told Donna
call it the Lyn now when I told Donna about the challenges facing migrant
about the challenges facing migrant
about the challenges facing migrant workers she seemed genuinely concerned
workers she seemed genuinely concerned
workers she seemed genuinely concerned and so she invited us to give a
and so she invited us to give a
and so she invited us to give a presentation to her and some staff at
presentation to her and some staff at
presentation to her and some staff at the Linn office shortly after the Lyn
the Linn office shortly after the Lyn
the Linn office shortly after the Lyn announced
announced
announced would be provided for specialized
would be provided for specialized
would be provided for specialized clinics for migrant workers this was
clinics for migrant workers this was
clinics for migrant workers this was great but just having the funding wasn’t
great but just having the funding wasn’t
great but just having the funding wasn’t enough we also needed dedicated people
enough we also needed dedicated people
enough we also needed dedicated people to provide the services so two community
to provide the services so two community
to provide the services so two community health centers or CHCs
health centers or CHCs
health centers or CHCs quests in Niagara and Grand River right
quests in Niagara and Grand River right
quests in Niagara and Grand River right here in Brantford rose to the challenge
here in Brantford rose to the challenge
here in Brantford rose to the challenge to make services accessible for workers
to make services accessible for workers
to make services accessible for workers they really had to think outside of the
they really had to think outside of the
they really had to think outside of the typical box of healthcare provision
typical box of healthcare provision
typical box of healthcare provision hours had to be on evenings and weekends
hours had to be on evenings and weekends
hours had to be on evenings and weekends which isn’t when doctors normally love
which isn’t when doctors normally love
which isn’t when doctors normally love to work they have defined
to work they have defined
to work they have defined spanish-speaking translators and they
spanish-speaking translators and they
spanish-speaking translators and they had to find locations that were
had to find locations that were
had to find locations that were convenient to workers to overcome the
convenient to workers to overcome the
convenient to workers to overcome the transportation barriers so each Center
transportation barriers so each Center
transportation barriers so each Center examined the resources and contexts in
examined the resources and contexts in
examined the resources and contexts in their own communities and determine the
their own communities and determine the
their own communities and determine the best way to make it work the Grand River
best way to make it work the Grand River
best way to make it work the Grand River CHC partnered with the Simcoe superstore
CHC partnered with the Simcoe superstore
CHC partnered with the Simcoe superstore to provide evening clinics right inside
to provide evening clinics right inside
to provide evening clinics right inside the grocery store where workers were
the grocery store where workers were
the grocery store where workers were shopping anyway so they could pick up
shopping anyway so they could pick up
shopping anyway so they could pick up their potatoes and their prescriptions
their potatoes and their prescriptions
their potatoes and their prescriptions all in one spot now that’s convenience
all in one spot now that’s convenience
all in one spot now that’s convenience they also offer clinics in Delhi and
they also offer clinics in Delhi and
they also offer clinics in Delhi and here in Bradford out of this lovely
here in Bradford out of this lovely
here in Bradford out of this lovely converted vehicle they recruited
converted vehicle they recruited
converted vehicle they recruited committed local physicians and those
committed local physicians and those
committed local physicians and those from neighboring communities who drive
from neighboring communities who drive
from neighboring communities who drive in and provide the services on the
in and provide the services on the
in and provide the services on the weekends my husband is one of them and I
weekends my husband is one of them and I
weekends my husband is one of them and I didn’t give him much choice in the
didn’t give him much choice in the
didn’t give him much choice in the matter but he says it’s one of the most
matter but he says it’s one of the most
matter but he says it’s one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had as a
rewarding experiences he’s had as a
rewarding experiences he’s had as a doctor a dedicated community pharmacist
doctor a dedicated community pharmacist
doctor a dedicated community pharmacist works late to ensure that workers can
works late to ensure that workers can
works late to ensure that workers can access their prescriptions right after
access their prescriptions right after
access their prescriptions right after seeing the doctor staff and volunteers
seeing the doctor staff and volunteers
seeing the doctor staff and volunteers work tirelessly to promote the clinics
work tirelessly to promote the clinics
work tirelessly to promote the clinics provide interpretation services and
provide interpretation services and
provide interpretation services and assist workers with follow-up in Niagra
assist workers with follow-up in Niagra
assist workers with follow-up in Niagra Quest operates their clinics out of two
Quest operates their clinics out of two
Quest operates their clinics out of two sites one out of a rented walk-in clinic
sites one out of a rented walk-in clinic
sites one out of a rented walk-in clinic and the other in partnership with the
and the other in partnership with the
and the other in partnership with the church quest has also expanded its
church quest has also expanded its
church quest has also expanded its activities into the community offering
activities into the community offering
activities into the community offering primary health care services as well as
primary health care services as well as
primary health care services as well as health information workshops on topics
health information workshops on topics
health information workshops on topics like diabetes and healthy eating a
like diabetes and healthy eating a
like diabetes and healthy eating a community vents and on firms medical
community vents and on firms medical
community vents and on firms medical nursing and Spanish students and faculty
nursing and Spanish students and faculty
nursing and Spanish students and faculty from McMaster and Brock University’s
from McMaster and Brock University’s
from McMaster and Brock University’s staff these clinics on a volunteer basis
staff these clinics on a volunteer basis
staff these clinics on a volunteer basis gaining invaluable learning experiences
gaining invaluable learning experiences
gaining invaluable learning experiences in the process
in the process
in the process collectively these clinics have now seen
collectively these clinics have now seen
collectively these clinics have now seen thousands of clients and in surveys a
thousands of clients and in surveys a
thousands of clients and in surveys a hundred percent of clients reported
hundred percent of clients reported
hundred percent of clients reported satisfaction and a hundred percent said
satisfaction and a hundred percent said
satisfaction and a hundred percent said they had enough time with their provider
they had enough time with their provider
they had enough time with their provider I imagine it would be quite hard to
I imagine it would be quite hard to
I imagine it would be quite hard to replicate those kinds of satisfaction
replicate those kinds of satisfaction
replicate those kinds of satisfaction rates anywhere else in our healthcare
rates anywhere else in our healthcare
rates anywhere else in our healthcare system community volunteer groups in
system community volunteer groups in
system community volunteer groups in both regions with support from these
both regions with support from these
both regions with support from these clinics also host annual health resource
clinics also host annual health resource
clinics also host annual health resource and information fairs hundreds of
and information fairs hundreds of
and information fairs hundreds of workers attend these events where they
workers attend these events where they
workers attend these events where they receive information and support as well
receive information and support as well
receive information and support as well as enjoy free food entertainment and
as enjoy free food entertainment and
as enjoy free food entertainment and gain a sense of inclusion local
gain a sense of inclusion local
gain a sense of inclusion local residents also regularly host social
residents also regularly host social
residents also regularly host social events for workers volunteers discuss
events for workers volunteers discuss
events for workers volunteers discuss the value of these initiatives not only
the value of these initiatives not only
the value of these initiatives not only for the workers but also for the
for the workers but also for the
for the workers but also for the community members many of whom have
community members many of whom have
community members many of whom have formed long lasting friendships with
formed long lasting friendships with
formed long lasting friendships with workers some of whom have even been
workers some of whom have even been
workers some of whom have even been lucky enough to visit workers in their
lucky enough to visit workers in their
lucky enough to visit workers in their tropical homes during her much less
tropical homes during her much less
tropical homes during her much less desirable winters so these communities
desirable winters so these communities
desirable winters so these communities have gone to great lengths to support
have gone to great lengths to support
have gone to great lengths to support the health of migrant workers
the health of migrant workers
the health of migrant workers recognizing that health depends much
recognizing that health depends much
recognizing that health depends much more than on the physical condition but
more than on the physical condition but
more than on the physical condition but also on a sense of belonging and feeling
also on a sense of belonging and feeling
also on a sense of belonging and feeling cared for it’s truly been a
cared for it’s truly been a
cared for it’s truly been a transformation in front of my eyes from
transformation in front of my eyes from
transformation in front of my eyes from virtually no support to the groundswell
virtually no support to the groundswell
virtually no support to the groundswell that it is today
that it is today
that it is today and it’s all because of the dedicated
and it’s all because of the dedicated
and it’s all because of the dedicated efforts of individuals who saw the
efforts of individuals who saw the
efforts of individuals who saw the problem and wanted to do their part to
problem and wanted to do their part to
problem and wanted to do their part to help but let me be clear these clinics
help but let me be clear these clinics
help but let me be clear these clinics have not solved all of the problems
have not solved all of the problems
have not solved all of the problems facing migrant workers far from it
facing migrant workers far from it
facing migrant workers far from it despite decades of working here Canada
despite decades of working here Canada
despite decades of working here Canada still does not welcome them as
still does not welcome them as
still does not welcome them as immigrants they still face long and
immigrants they still face long and
immigrants they still face long and painful family separations sometimes for
painful family separations sometimes for
painful family separations sometimes for years or decades in a row they’re still
years or decades in a row they’re still
years or decades in a row they’re still largely socially segregated and many
largely socially segregated and many
largely socially segregated and many experienced racism the program leaves
experienced racism the program leaves
experienced racism the program leaves workers very vulnerable and they’re
workers very vulnerable and they’re
workers very vulnerable and they’re dependent largely on the goodwill of
dependent largely on the goodwill of
dependent largely on the goodwill of their employer this varies widely many
their employer this varies widely many
their employer this varies widely many do report negative housing and working
do report negative housing and working
do report negative housing and working environments even the power of the
environments even the power of the
environments even the power of the clinicians to enact change and workers
clinicians to enact change and workers
clinicians to enact change and workers lives is limited by the fact that many
lives is limited by the fact that many
lives is limited by the fact that many workers are too afraid to seek job
workers are too afraid to seek job
workers are too afraid to seek job modifications to improve their ha
modifications to improve their ha
modifications to improve their ha for fear of losing their jobs instead
for fear of losing their jobs instead
for fear of losing their jobs instead they want interventions like medicines
they want interventions like medicines
they want interventions like medicines and stretching exercises that won’t
and stretching exercises that won’t
and stretching exercises that won’t raise the eyebrows of their employers
raise the eyebrows of their employers
raise the eyebrows of their employers when women become pregnant in the
when women become pregnant in the
when women become pregnant in the program they often hide their
program they often hide their
program they often hide their pregnancies forgoing prenatal care for
pregnancies forgoing prenatal care for
pregnancies forgoing prenatal care for fear of losing those jobs when workers
fear of losing those jobs when workers
fear of losing those jobs when workers are seriously injured or when they die
are seriously injured or when they die
are seriously injured or when they die their families are normally left with
their families are normally left with
their families are normally left with little to no support as Canadians we
little to no support as Canadians we
little to no support as Canadians we have a lot of thinking to do about the
have a lot of thinking to do about the
have a lot of thinking to do about the way we treat the most vulnerable in our
way we treat the most vulnerable in our
way we treat the most vulnerable in our society and there is still much work to
society and there is still much work to
society and there is still much work to be done
be done
be done yet the clinic’s have made a major
yet the clinic’s have made a major
yet the clinic’s have made a major difference to address one aspect of
difference to address one aspect of
difference to address one aspect of workers well-being wild there in Canada
workers well-being wild there in Canada
workers well-being wild there in Canada which is providing a truly accessible
which is providing a truly accessible
which is providing a truly accessible form of health care that had otherwise
form of health care that had otherwise
form of health care that had otherwise been absent as one migrant worker told
been absent as one migrant worker told
been absent as one migrant worker told me at these clinics I actually feel for
me at these clinics I actually feel for
me at these clinics I actually feel for the first time as though Canadian people
the first time as though Canadian people
the first time as though Canadian people care about me and I no longer have to
care about me and I no longer have to
care about me and I no longer have to choose between worrying about losing my
choose between worrying about losing my
choose between worrying about losing my job and accessing the health care I need
job and accessing the health care I need
job and accessing the health care I need and the clinic they benefit not only the
and the clinic they benefit not only the
and the clinic they benefit not only the workers but also the employers who can
workers but also the employers who can
workers but also the employers who can depend on healthy workforces the workers
depend on healthy workforces the workers
depend on healthy workforces the workers families who rely on the health of their
families who rely on the health of their
families who rely on the health of their breadwinner and loved one they reduce
breadwinner and loved one they reduce
breadwinner and loved one they reduce pressure on our hospital emergency
pressure on our hospital emergency
pressure on our hospital emergency departments and really they benefit all
departments and really they benefit all
departments and really they benefit all of us who can enjoy healthy local food
of us who can enjoy healthy local food
of us who can enjoy healthy local food there are positive ripple effects all
there are positive ripple effects all
there are positive ripple effects all over the community so the key message I
over the community so the key message I
over the community so the key message I want to leave you with today is that
want to leave you with today is that
want to leave you with today is that society’s problems can be solved little
society’s problems can be solved little
society’s problems can be solved little by little by the strong and dedicated
by little by the strong and dedicated
by little by the strong and dedicated efforts in our communities everyone
efforts in our communities everyone
efforts in our communities everyone involved in these clinics are inspiring
involved in these clinics are inspiring
involved in these clinics are inspiring examples of what can happen when we care
examples of what can happen when we care
examples of what can happen when we care about each other and when we work
about each other and when we work
about each other and when we work together rather than in silos they are
together rather than in silos they are
together rather than in silos they are testament to the power of collaborative
testament to the power of collaborative
testament to the power of collaborative creative community efforts to solve
creative community efforts to solve
creative community efforts to solve complex problems and no one person could
complex problems and no one person could
complex problems and no one person could have achieved all of this on their own
have achieved all of this on their own
have achieved all of this on their own it only works because so many people
it only works because so many people
it only works because so many people offer what they can the pharmacist who
offer what they can the pharmacist who
offer what they can the pharmacist who stays late the doctor who drives in on a
stays late the doctor who drives in on a
stays late the doctor who drives in on a weekend the employer who offers a health
weekend the employer who offers a health
weekend the employer who offers a health workshop on their firm
workshop on their firm
workshop on their firm the health administrator who decided to
the health administrator who decided to
the health administrator who decided to fund the clinic’s
fund the clinic’s
fund the clinic’s the business owner who donated space and
the business owner who donated space and
the business owner who donated space and the many community members who offer to
the many community members who offer to
the many community members who offer to translate or give rides to workers the
translate or give rides to workers the
translate or give rides to workers the clinic’s are some of these parts and
clinic’s are some of these parts and
clinic’s are some of these parts and without each of them working together
without each of them working together
without each of them working together they could not succeed the clinic’s also
they could not succeed the clinic’s also
they could not succeed the clinic’s also worked so well because they are driven
worked so well because they are driven
worked so well because they are driven by people who genuinely care about the
by people who genuinely care about the
by people who genuinely care about the neighbors among us the unrecognized
neighbors among us the unrecognized
neighbors among us the unrecognized people whose dedicated work allows our
people whose dedicated work allows our
people whose dedicated work allows our agricultural economies to thrive migrant
agricultural economies to thrive migrant
agricultural economies to thrive migrant workers make enormous sacrifices to be
workers make enormous sacrifices to be
workers make enormous sacrifices to be here and they contribute essential work
here and they contribute essential work
here and they contribute essential work in our communities the least we can do
in our communities the least we can do
in our communities the least we can do is support them to return home to their
is support them to return home to their
is support them to return home to their families safe and healthy as individuals
families safe and healthy as individuals
families safe and healthy as individuals as communities and as a country we still
as communities and as a country we still
as communities and as a country we still have a long way to go to ensure that the
have a long way to go to ensure that the
have a long way to go to ensure that the migrant workers who live among us are
migrant workers who live among us are
migrant workers who live among us are treated with the dignity and respect
treated with the dignity and respect
treated with the dignity and respect they deserve I invite you to join us in
they deserve I invite you to join us in
they deserve I invite you to join us in whatever way you can towards that goal
whatever way you can towards that goal
whatever way you can towards that goal thank you
thank you
thank you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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