Welcoming Communities: Supporting the People Behind the Harvest

Importance of International Agricultural Workers in Ontario

Each year, approximately 45,000 International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) arrive in Ontario, accounting for 28 per cent of Ontario’s primary agriculture workforce. Beyond their work in the fields, every IAW supports one to two local jobs up the supply chain (transportation, marketing etc.). They also contribute directly to local economies through everyday purchases and active participation in the communities they support. These dedicated individuals and their contributions are essential to the success of Ontario’s agricultural sector and to the local economies alike.

According to CAHRC-CCRHA, in 2022, the fruit and vegetable sector faced issues due to labour shortages that resulted in estimated losses of $260 million.

On June 12, 2025, the Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice hosted a webinar, ‘Welcoming International Agricultural Workers in our Communities’, featuring speakers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-business (OMAFA), the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), the Foreign Agricultural Resources Management Services (F.A.R.M.S) and The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO). The presentations and webinar recording can be found here.

Building a culture of welcome and support

The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) strives to strengthen quality of life through support, inclusion and opportunity through their:

Worker Support Services (WSS) program helps migrant workers navigate life in Canada—offering services that go beyond basic needs to help them thrive.
TNO’s innovative hub offers free support and connects workers with essential resources, from health care and legal support to community events and language services, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Programs that make a difference

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), managed federally and supported by Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (F.A.R.M.S.), provides Canadian farmers with access to a reliable workforce during critical agricultural periods. This program not only benefits employers but also ensures that workers are recruited and supported through a structured, regulated process.

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), representing over 125 crops, advocates for the recognition and appreciation of IAWs. They emphasize the importance of learning more about the people who help grow our food and the positive impact they have on our communities. OFVGA along with partner organizations created the More than a Migrant Worker website to thank and support the workers who come here each year.

The OFVGA also partners with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) to distribute welcome kits to IAWs as they arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

OMAFA supports the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, that offers programs for mental health and well-being for farmers, farm workers and their families. The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides free, unlimited counselling services in Spanish, English and French. The IAW Wellness Program being piloted in Windsor-Essex and Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk provides IAWs with enhanced access to culturally appropriate mental health supports in Spanish, Tagalog, French and English.

Community initiatives

Across Ontario, community grassroots initiatives are creating meaningful connections between IAWs and local residents:

TeaMWork Windsor-Essex ensures that IAWs have access to critical information and resources to help them navigate their work, community services and life in Canada.
Community led soccer tournaments like the FNFA Tournament
Norfolk Family Health Team offers a yearly IAW health fair
Community barbecues bringing workers and community members together
Grand River Community Health Centre offers primary health care clinics on farms and mobile clinics
Migrants Matter Flamborough a community group that supports local migrant workers by providing meals, awareness, and inclusivity

Shared responsibility

Welcoming communities are built on empathy, respect and shared responsibility. As Ontarians, recognizing the contributions of International Agricultural Workers and ensuring they feel supported is more than a gesture of kindness, it’s a meaningful way to strengthen the agricultural sector and the communities we all share. Community investment in programs, partnerships and people can ensure that every International Agricultural Worker feels not only needed but truly welcomed.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) coordinate the Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice which is a free, online network to bring together economic development and planning professionals across Ontario interested in agricultural issues. The quarterly meeting topics are based on relevant municipal policies, procedures and programming impacting the agricultural sector. To sign up and learn more click here.