Board decision clarifies seasonal agriculture workers' right to extended health care Friday, October 11, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Two migrant farm workers injured in a car accident last year have had their right to extended health care in Ontario confirmed by the Health Services Appeal and Review Board. Ken Forth, president of the Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services, says the board’s decision is a “good thing because it assures that the people who are receiving treatment don’t lose it in midstream.” The Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services is a non-profit organization made up of farm employers that facilitates and coordinates requests for foreign seasonal farm workers under the federal government’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker program. The health services appeal board’s decision doesn’t impact farmers employing seasonal workers or the Seasonal Agricultural Worker program itself “because they (the workers) are still covered” by OHIP, Forth notes. Kenroy Williams and Denville Clarke, both of Jamaica, were among nine workers driving to work on Aug. 9, 2012 when their employer’s van swerved to avoid an oncoming car. The van rolled several times. One passenger was killed and several others were severely injured, according to a press release from Justicia for Migrant Workers. It’s a non-profit political collective that advocates for migrant workers’ rights. Spokesperson Chris Ramsaroop couldn’t be reached for comment. Williams and Clarke were employed under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker program and, similar to all other workers in the program, their OHIP coverage – instated when workers arrive in Canada – expired at the end of the farming season in 2012. But both men were still seriously injured and needed extended health care in Ontario. Forth wonders why the men didn’t receive their medical care under a claim filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Their health care would have been covered under that claim “for whatever time” is needed, he notes, adding he doesn’t know the circumstances of this situation. The workers appealed the Ontario government’s decision to pull the plug on their OHIP coverage at the Health Services Appeal and Review Board and won Aug. 16. The board’s decision was to allow the men to receive extended health care in Ontario. The Ontario government appealed and the board reconsidered its decision but on Oct. 4 affirmed its earlier ruling. BF Ontario environment commissioner wants phosphorus strategy Significant growth in Canadian immigration presents agri-food opportunity
Ontario Farmers Considering more Drainage Investments to Adapt to Climate Change Monday, September 22, 2025 Farmers from Southwestern Ontario gathered at the Great Ontario Yield Tour event in Woodstock held a panel discussion, moderated by Steve Denys from Maizex Seeds, to chat about practical ways to increase corn, soybean, and wheat yields in the future, based on this year’s corn and soybean... Read this article online
Augusta Van Muyen selected as the 67th Grape King Friday, September 19, 2025 Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada have announced that Lincoln vineyard manager Augusta Van Muyen has been chosen by her peers as the 2025-2026 Grape King. Currently, the vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Van Muyen, followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the... Read this article online
Empowering the Next Generation -- Scholarship Opportunity for Agriculture Students Friday, September 19, 2025 Are you a student studying agriculture with a passion for leadership, innovation, and making a difference in the agri-food sector? The Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference (AWC) East 2025 is offering an incredible opportunity for students to attend this transformative event through... Read this article online
Celebrating Tradition and Skill - The Art of the Plowing Match Friday, September 19, 2025 Plowing matches are more than just agricultural contests—they’re a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and community. These events bring together farmers, enthusiasts, and spectators to witness the age-old skill of turning soil with precision and pride.TheInternational Plowing Match &... Read this article online
Shell Rotella’s SuperTractors competition Thursday, September 18, 2025 Farmers put in long hours and endless dedication to feed and support their communities, and Shell Rotella is proud to spotlight these farmers with the fifth annual competition. Coinciding with —Sunday, October 12, 2025—the virtual event invites farmers across North America to share... Read this article online