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
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online