Category: Uncategorized

Farm Workers

Migrant Farmworkers United: June 2025 Newsletter

👋🏿 Welcome to the latest newsletter! Here you will find news and activities for migrant farm workers this June.

Have news or ideas?
✅ Message Kit on WhatsApp: 905-324-2840

📰 News

  • 📣​ Farm workers speak out: Almost 100 Caribbean workers and 200 Spanish-speaking workers filled out the survey – great job! 💪🏽 But we still need more voices. If you don’t speak up, the government will only hear from the bosses 😰
  • 🏆 Tournament winners: Staphel and Ninja won the tournament on May 24! Congrats to all players and thanks to Lakemount Church for food and drinks.
  • 🗣️✊🏾 Farm workers united!: On May 25-26, workers from Jamaica, Mexico, and Trinidad met together in Niagara. We talked about the government’s proposed farm work changes and our plan of action. When we unite together, we get stronger, safer, and more powerful!
    • Want to join next time? Message Kit at 905-324-2840.

🗓️ Events & Actions

  • ⏳ NEW survey deadline: June 2! *Last chance* to speak up before the government makes decisions about changes to the farm work programs: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BDRD9X8short
  • 💒 June 1, 7:30pm: CWOP church service at Cornerstone Church (Orchard Campus) in NOTL. Fellowship, encouragement, and snacks. Contact Donna for the bus: 905-394-0125
  • 🙏🏾 June 4, 10am: Migrant justice prayer circle (Online). A monthly time for prayer, reflection, and encouragement. Everyone is welcome – join from your phone! Message Kit for the Zoom link
  • 🏏 June 8, 2pm: CWOP cricket tournament – Niagara Clippers vs Vineland Lions. Veterans Memorial Park, NOTL. Transportation and food provided. Contact Donna.
  • 👐 June 9, 7-9pm: Open Door Nights begin in NOTL! Fun monthly space to hang out, relax off the farm, and connect with friends off the farm. Games, photo booth, free giveaways, and more! 📍 Message Kit for location.
  • 💒 June 15, 7:30pm: Father’s Day church service at Cornerstone Church, NOTL. Being away from family is hard, but you’re not alone – join us ❤️ Contact Donna for the bus.
  • 👉🏾 June 22, 4:30-7:30pm: Fathers Day event at the Farmworker Hub in Virgil. Organized by Bridges Niagara.
  • 🏏 June 22, 5:30pm: Mini-cricket game at Southridge Vineland!

Want to join in? Message Kit at 905-324-2840.

👥 Meetings

🤝 Workers unite across the border!
On May 25, MWAC members in Ontario met with UFW farmworker members in Western New York who are winning unions at their farms! They shared what it was like before the union and how things got better:
✅ Overtime pay
✅ Paid holidays
✅ Right to be hired back next season

What changes do you want to see at your farm? 💭
Let’s talk! Message Kit at 905-324-2840

Upcoming meetings:

  • Monday, June 30, 8pm: Monthly farmworker members meeting (in-person!). Message Kit for location and transportation.
  • ❓Any time: Got questions about EI, immigration, housing, or something else? Want a meeting at your bunkhouse or off farm? Message Kit to set it up. Your safety and privacy come first. 🔒

Thinking about joining a meeting in June? We’d love to see you! Just send a WhatsApp message to Kit at 905-324-2840.

✅ Stay up-to-date

⚠️ Report abuse & unsafe work

If you face disrespect, abuse, or unsafe work or housing:
Try to get proof if you can. You have rights.
Without proof, your options are limited.

Need support?
Message Kit privately on WhatsApp at 905-324-2840.
Everything you share is confidential. You’re not alone.

United, we are stronger

How to Apply for Permanent Residency on Humanitarian Grounds: Everything You Should Know!

Are you or someone you know planning to apply for permanent residency under Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds? Join us on Sunday, May 25 for a 2-hour online workshop where we will guide you through everything you need to know — from eligibility to documentation and next steps.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get free, practical information for you and/or your family. Register below!

🗓 Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025

⏰ Time:

  • 7:00 PM – Ontario
  • 8:00 PM – New Brunswick
  • 5:00 PM – Alberta
  • 4:00 PM – British Columbia

📍Location: Online (Link will be shared upon registration)

👉 Share with 5 friends!
Migrant Students

Toronto Spring Picnic in the Park (See below for location change)

UPDATE: Since we’re dealing with colder weather than anticipated, we’re now meeting indoors at a cafe nearby! Join us at Snakes & Lattes at 3pm for some hot chocolate.

📍Snakes and Lattes – https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xixe8uUvK4JY6c2MA

🕒 May 25 at 3pm

International students! Spring is finally here, the semester is over, and now we’re onto the next struggle: finding jobs and building our lives in Canada. Let’s hang out – come for a picnic in the park and meet with others like you. Bring your friends and family!

Food, music, games and a discussion about what our future holds when it comes to immigration and dignity at work.

This picnic is planned by international students in Migrant Students United chapters at Seneca College and George Brown College.

Fishery WorkersTrabajador@s Agrícolas

¡Tu voz es poderosa! Únete a la reunión en línea sobre cambios en agricultura y mariscos

El gobierno canadiense está haciendo cambios en los programas de agricultura y ell Sector Mariscos. Pero, ¿beneficiarán estos cambios a los trabajadores y sus familias, o generarán más ganancias para los jefes?

Únase a nosotros este domingo 4 de mayo

🗓️ Fecha: Domingo, 4 de mayo ⏰ Hora: 3:30pm BC / 6:30pm Ontario / 7:30pm Atlantico.

  • Por qué y cuándo ocurrirán estos cambios
  • Cómo podemos usar nuestra voz juntos para alzarla por la justicia

¡Recuerde completar la encuesta primero! Para completar la encuesta dale click aqui: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/fwmwac2025

Llena el formulario para registrarte ahora mismo y asegúrate de ser parte de esta increíble oportunidad para aprender y prepararte para los cambios que están por venir.

Farm Workers

Migrant Farmworkers United: May 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the newest edition of Migrant Farmworkers United, your place to find all upcoming activities and important news!

Have something to share? Want to see something more included? ✅ Send a WhatsApp message to Kit at 905-324-2840.

📰 News

  • 🗳️ ELECTION: On April 28, the new federal government will be decided in Canada. To stay updated, join the WhatsApp announcements or Facebook group! Message Kit to join: 905-324-2840.
  • ‼️ NEW PROGRAM CHANGES: The Canadian government is creating a new program called the Agriculture and Fishery Processing Stream. But will these changes benefit workers and your families, or profit the bosses more?​

🗓️ Events & Actions

  • 📝​ April 25-May 26​: Online survey to speak up about changes to the farm work program: surveymonkey.com/r/mwacFW2025
  • 🗣️ May 4, 6:30-8pm: Online meeting to learn how & why these changes are happening – and how we can use our voice together to speak up for justice. Tap this link to sign up: actionnetwork.org/events/may4-focusgroup​
  • 🁊 May 24, 7pm: Dominoes tournament in the Niagara Region. Message for location.
  • ✊🏾 Ongoing: TREAT FARM WORKERS FAIR sticker action. Coming soon to a grocery store near you!

To learn more about these activities in May, send a WhatsApp message to Kit at 905-324-2840.

👥 Meetings

  • 🤝🏾 April 28, 8pm: Monthly farmworker members meeting (online)
  • 🗣️ May 4, 6:30-8pm: Online meeting to learn how & why program changes are happening – and how we can use our voice together to speak up for justice. Tap this link to sign up: actionnetwork.org/events/may4-focusgroup
  • 🤝🏾 May 26, 8pm: Monthly farmworker members meeting (online)

Thinking about joining a meeting in May? We’d love to see you! Just send a WhatsApp message to Kit at 905-324-2840.

✅ Stay up-to-date

News and information is constantly changing. Make sure you’re on top of what’s going on!

  1. Join the Facebook group. Tap here to add yourself to the group and get all the latest news: facebook.com/groups/farmworkersunited
  2. Join the WhatsApp new announcements group. Tap this link to join: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FZNXnZLmZ0R3EKuNg7ZLix. Or send a WhatsApp message to Kit at 905-324-2840 with the words “EQUAL RIGHTS” to be added. This list is private and confidential.
  3. Follow us on YouTube. More videos will be added each month, don’t miss out! Tap here to watch: youtube.com/mwaccanada

⚠️ Report abuse & unsafe work

As always, remember to get proof if you are facing any kind of disrespect, abuse, or unsafe conditions at work or at the bunkhouse. You have rights and options! But without any evidence, your options are limited.

Contact Kit on WhatsApp at 905-324-2840 to learn more about your rights. Everything you share is private and confidential. You are not alone. We are here for you.

United, we are stronger!

Open Meeting for Caregivers Excluded from HCWIP 

On March 31, 2025, thousands of migrant caregivers were shut out of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWIP). For many of us, it was the last chance to apply for permanent residency. For others, it was the only option left before our status expires. All the sacrifices we’ve made and the money spent have been wasted.

This is unfair, and we won’t accept it.

Join our open online meeting on Wednesday, April 16 at 8 PM EST | 5 PM PST to hear from each other, learn about your immigration options, and make a plan to fight back.

Please fill out our confidential form so we can best support you in taking action!

Trabajador@s Agrícolas

Conozca sus derechos: Beneficios y protección para trabajador@s agrícolas

✨ Le invitamos a una sesión informativa gratuita en línea

¿Es trabajador/a agrícola temporal en Canadá y le preocupa si los nuevos aranceles impuestos por Estados Unidos le afectaran y como? ¿Quiere saber cuáles son sus derechos y cómo protegerse? ¿Quiere saber mas sobre acceso a beneficios como el seguro de desempleo?

🕰️ Hora:

  • 7:00 p.m. Ontario / Quebec
  • 5:00 p.m. Alberta
  • 4:00 p.m. Columbia Británica (BC)
  • 6:00 p.m. Centro de México

¡No se pierda esta oportunidad de conocer a más trabajador@s migrantes luchando por una vida digna para nosotr@s y nuestras familias!

✅ Hablemos sobre el acceso al seguro de desempleo ✅ Comparta sus experiencias y conéctese con otr@s trabajador@s ✅ Conozca si le van a afectar los aranceles como trabajador/a migrante en Canada ✅ Infórmese sobre sus derechos laborales

📌 Regístrese para recibir el enlace para la reunión. Su información es 100% confidencial.

Farm Workers

Protect yourself in Canada: April 13 Online Meeting for Farmworkers

While living and working in Canada to provide for your family, you deserve to stay healthy and safe. Do you agree?

Sign up for our free online meeting on April 13 to learn how to protect yourself from abuse and unsafe conditions. Let’s work together to keep you healthy and safe this season, so that you can continue supporting your family and loved ones!

To join, sign up using the form below. Everything you share is private and confidential.

Questions or concerns? Contact MWAC organizer Kit on WhatsApp at 905-324-2840.

Migrant Students

Get involved in the action to renew PGWP, increase PR!

PGWP workers with expired and expiring permits are uniting on an (1) electoral strategy, and (2) Solutions, not Scapegoats media strategy. Read more about the strategy, political opportunities below, and join the fight for immigration justice!

Our plan of action

We have a joint media and electoral strategy to respond to the political moment we’re in. We must create political pressure, and shift the public narrative that is blaming migrants and international students for the housing and job crisis. 

🔹 Electoral Strategy: On April 28, 2025, there will be a federal election. We’ll push candidates in our ridings to take a stand on permit renewals and increasing permanent residency programs.

🔹 “Solutions, Not Scapegoats” Media Campaign: We’ll share our stories to challenge the narrative that immigrants are to blame for economic issues.

Our Political Opportunities

✅ Using the elections to push on immigration justice: The federal elections are April 28, 2025. From now until then, candidates from political parties want to win a seat in their riding. We need a coordinated strategy that is effective on multiple levels, and scale our power up. Candidates will be doing campaign events in each of our ridings, like townhalls, all-candidate debates and more. We are part of their constituent base, even though we cannot vote. We can raise how cuts to immigration hurt all working people in the country, have knock-on effects on the economy and communities, and demand they take a stand on immigration justice.

✅ Exposing contradictions: More and more, working-class Canadians must realize we are not the problem, and that cuts to immigration hurt them too. Many critical sectors like education, healthcare and childcare, are already falling apart because so many of us have to leave jobs when our permits expire. Employers are also using this as an excuse to layoff other workers and lower standards for all of us.

✅ Building unity: We have support from allies in major unions, healthcare and immigration organizations, who know that racism and xenophobia are not the answer. More will recognize this is a shared fight. 

We can bring in more of our coworkers, friends, and neighbours. We need both unity and strength in numbers.

Every day, 3,000 permits expire—we can’t afford to stay silent.

The issue and why it’s happening

Our permits are expired / expiring, the requirements for Express Entry programs are restrictive, the minimum cut off scores have been high and the draws for Canadian Experience Class are infrequent. Category-based selection has also let the government cherrypick who gets permanent residency and who doesn’t. 

We’re impacted by the massive cuts to permanent residency programs. Provincial programs have been cut by 55%. Some streams of PNP are closing overnight, and they’re suddenly saying our jobs no longer qualify. They want us to fight and compete with each other. But permanent residency and our rights should not be like the hunger games.

We’re in a global economic crisis. At the same time, some people – politicians, corporate employers and landlords – are making record-breaking profits, while the majority of us are struggling to make ends meet. They need somebody to blame. Over the last 18 months, migrants have been scapegoated for the housing crisis, taking jobs, lowering wages and working conditions, causing inflation – this is simply not true. Racism and xenophobia are meant to divide and distract us.

Public opinion on immigration has shifted. In response, the federal government walked back on promises and instead cut permits and immigration, which adds to more scapegoating. It’s a vicious cycle. But when our rights are under attack, we must fight back.