Migrant agricultural workers in Canada are raising urgent concerns about their living conditions, which many describe as “dirty” and “inhumane.” A recent report underscored the challenges these workers experience. They usually suffer from overcrowding, plumbing problems, and extreme heat or cold with little or no HVAC systems. The report, authored by 29 academics and advocates, aims to establish a national housing standard for migrant workers, emphasizing the need for immediate action to improve their living environments.
These workers are finding themselves at the center of an image revolution as they call for safer and more humane working conditions. Their contributions to Canada’s agricultural sector are profound and commendable. Over half of these essential workers are foreigners, primarily from Mexico and the Caribbean. They are excited to be moving, albeit temporarily, to Canada to assume critical roles in the maintenance of Canada’s agricultural ecosystem. Yet the homes they live in frequently do not come close to upholding fundamental health and safety codes.
Dire Living Conditions
Migrant workers have described terrifying conditions inside their lodgings. With chronic plumbing failures, alarming accounts of widespread flooding, an emergency declaration entrenched in the city’s DNA, these horrors became reality. Facing high housing demand, overcrowding has become a prevalent issue. Over half of these workers are packed into dangerous overcrowding, with up to eight workers sharing the same sleeping room.
One migrant worker stated:
“Mould in the fridge. In the freezers, nothing was clean. And both of the stoves had rodent droppings all over it and inside of the oven as well. Also, in the drawers. So, everything that was in there was full of rodent droppings.”
These anecdotal accounts serve to demonstrate more broadly the urgent need for heightened living standards for migrant agricultural workers in Canada.
“We were afraid to use the kitchen to cook. We didn’t make anything for days. We just keep wiping with bleach.”
Jill Hanley, a professor at McGill University and one of the document’s lead authors. She sees the provision of national housing standards as a major step toward improving the overall quality of life for these workers.
Advocacy for National Housing Standards
This document emphasizes the need for strong federal leadership and increased coordination among all levels of government to deploy these standards efficiently. Only public health agents—not law enforcement—should inspect public health establishments. They need more specialized training to be able to recognize key health risks in a much broader sense.
Despite their invaluable contributions to maintaining Canada’s food system, migrant workers’ experiences go beyond the lack of proper housing. Reports indicate that some employers may manipulate inspection processes, allowing them to present a façade of compliance.
“If we continue to keep a low and inconsistent bar for housing quality for this group, we jeopardize not only the health and safety of migrant agricultural workers but also send a message to all Canadians that poor and undignified housing is acceptable in Canada.”
The call for better desirable living conditions goes well beyond simply providing better housing. The goal is to provide dignity, safety, and respect for every person who is the backbone of our agricultural economy.
Hanley and her co-authors assert,
“This more hidden housing crisis is upholding the more visible one. We want national housing standards that can send a strong message of how we expect individuals living and working in Canada to be treated, regardless of status.”
The Need for Systemic Changes
Despite their essential role in supporting Canada’s food system, migrant workers face challenges that go beyond inadequate housing. Reports indicate that some employers may manipulate inspection processes, allowing them to present a façade of compliance.
One worker from Mexico expressed concern about this issue:
“[The boss] kind of disguises things … Normally they [the inspectors] notify him that they are coming, and I think that is a negative thing because they give him time to arrange everything.”
Another worker added:
“It should be so that they catch him red-handed.”
The call for improved living conditions is not just about housing quality; it is about ensuring dignity and respect for those who contribute significantly to the agricultural sector.
