Migrant Farm Worker Health Forum 2016

Nearly 40,000 migrant farmworkers (MFWs) come to Canada each year to work in the agriculture industry, with approximately 24 000 arriving to Ontario. The health of these workers is strongly influenced by their experience of migration, their living and work environments, and their access to health care and health and safety support. These workers face many access barriers, including language, isolation, intimidation, and disconnect from available services. Many service providers have not yet connected to these communities; those who have are challenged with the task of ensuring services reflect unique needs.

The forum brought together a wealth of experience from across the province and beyond, showcasing practical insights on such topics as:

Service planning and delivery
Best practices in working with interpreters
Cross cultural considerations for service provision
Employer engagement
Key Health issues and hazards
WSIB & MFW – info for clinicians
Innovative CHC work with MFWs.
Health and worker housing
Best practices in developing and running workshops with MFWs.
Relevant legislation and policy resources,
Advocacy
+ Among others

The event was very successful and identified by attendees as highly informative, useful and innovative. Below are some video resources of some of the sessions presented. For more information and resources from the forum contact: Eduardo Huesca

Migrant Farm Worker Guide