Meet the faces behind the Ontario produce on your plate! Each year thousands of migrant farm workers make their way to Ontario to work on fruit and vegetable farms around the province. While for many of them this experience is relatively new, some workers have been returning to Ontario farms for over 20 years! From trumpet players to carpenters, they all have a unique story to share. Click the profiles below to learn more about the women and men who play such an important role on our farms.
Meet Daniel, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
My name is Daniel and I am from Tlaxcala, in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. I have been coming here for more than 20 years; more than 10 seasons on this farm. Sometimes I pick or I plant tomato, strawberry, cucumber, lettuce, potatoes, broccoli, lettuce, melons and watermelons.
Meet David, Sesonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
My name is David López Parra and I come from the state of Puebla in Mexico. I’ve been coming to Canada for four years – always working on this farm. Here, I pick strawberries and also plant all types of melons, watermelons and other vegetables that are harvested here. My family are doing very well and because of this, our lives have improved a lot.
Meet Filimon, Seasonal Agriculture Worker from Mexico
My name is Filimon Barron. I come from near Mexico City and I’ve been coming here for close to 20 years – 15 years on this farm. The economy in Mexico is very bad. For this reason, I am coming here. I come in April – sometimes the first week and sometimes the last. I go home in November.
Jaime, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
Coming to Canada to work within the program meant for me the realization of many dreams that I saw would be very difficult in Mexico. Like building my house – which is now finished. I have two children in college which also generates heavy expenses in Mexico. It is a great financial piece of mind.
Livian, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Jamaica
I’m Livian and I’m from Kingston, Jamaica. This is my 22nd season coming to Canada. One of my friends had been coming to Canada to work. He told me he was going to take a break and asked if I wanted a chance to go. I was doing carpentry work at the time and, at first, to be honest, I said no but Tony kept asking and I finally did the application.
Fernando, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
My name is Fernando. I come from Mexico and I am part of the SAWP program, which is the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program. I have been part of this program since 2015 so this is my sixth year here in Canada and my fourth at this greenhouse. My role here in this greenhouse is to do plant care work, packaging and more!
Jorge Mario, Temporary Foreign Worker from Guatemala
I came here for the first time in 2012. I had heard a lot about this program. I met a friend and we talked about the program. He told me that he wasn’t going to travel anymore and if I wanted the opportunity, he would give it to me. He brought me to the office and there, I had to talk about why I wanted to travel.
Alexander, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
I’ve been coming to Canada for six seasons. I decided to come here because it is an extra option for work. In our country there is a lot of unemployment and salaries are bad. Over there, there is not enough money to get a house and to pay for your children’s education. To have a better life, more than anything, that is why I come here.
Julio, Temporary Foreign Worker from Guatemala
My name is Julio Polanco. I am from Guatemala. I came in December 2015 to this greenhouse called Nature Fresh through a foundation in my community. In Guatemala, there is very little work, it is very scarce and sometimes when there is work it is poorly paid. In Guatemala I have done a lot of different jobs, from a car battery workshop to a pig farm
María Gonzales, Temporary Foreign Worker from Mexico
My name is María Gonzales and I’ve been coming to Canada from Mexico since 2001. I always had the idea in Mexico to come and look for new opportunities and when I heard about the program, I became really excited to come and try it. It was very difficult at first because 20 years ago, this program wasn’t intended for women – only men.
Salvadore, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
My name is Salvadore and I’ve been coming to Canada for 20 years. I like the work. I like Canada too. Growing watermelon is hard work. Today, we’re hoeing the fields for the weeds. I think we’ll start picking melons in about three days. When I’m finished working here for the year, I go home to Mexico and my family – my brothers and everyone are there.
Eduardo (Pina), Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Mexico
I live close to Toluca, about 45 minutes from Mexico City. My family started to grow and I needed more help and more support for them. That’s why I came here – it provides a little more money for everything and everyone is happier now. It is hard to leave my four children to come here but I like it here. We make good food. I really like making a nice field of vegetables.