Allahdua draws our attention to the plight of migrant workers in Canada
“With pleasure, I now turn over the blog to Gabriel Allahdua, a Toronto-based activist for migrant workers in Canada. I met Gabriel when he came to speak to a class in my Master’s program in Social Justice and Community Engagement at Laurier. His book and presentation left a lasting impact on me, enough to make sure fair treatment of all migrant workers is a key piece of my campaign platform.” - Nick
I want a Canadian food system that is healthy, sustainable and just.
The Canadian food system makes it legal to exploit the soil, the environment and migrant workers. The food that we eat in Canada is being produced by those who are not being treated properly. This is a very serious threat to Canada's food security. But, are you concerned? Are you concerned whether your food is being produced by those who respect or abuse the soil, the environment and migrant workers?
Canada consistently has programs in place that dehumanize and exploit Indigenous peoples and people of colour. The Canadian farm program is one such example. Being a migrant worker in Canada means being denied basic human rights (all enshrined in Canadian law), excluded from all the protections that are in place to protect Canadians, all whilst being tied to their employer.
The Canadian farming program is in place because Canadians do not want to do those non-unionized jobs or D-jobs (Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous and Deadly jobs). Migrant workers (now referred to as “essential workers” by the Canadian Government) are brought in to perform these jobs all whilst being tied to their employers and simultaneously being denied basic human rights and labour standards.
The Canadian farming program is deeply dehumanizing and exploitative. To be tied to an employer all whilst being denied and excluded from so much results in migrant workers enduring many injustices that are perpetuated by every level of Canadian Governments.
These injustices will continue for as long as these issues are kept away from Canadians and for as long as Canadians choose to be oblivious or remain quiet about this issue. From 1966, successive Canadian Governments have chosen to make band-aid adjustments that benefit employers, in this already one-sided and high power-imbalance situation. Politicians are happy to tell activists like me that this is not an issue in their riding. Last year, the UN-rapporteur concluded that this program is the breeding ground for modern day slavery.
I have dedicated my life to fighting for a Canadian food system that is healthy, sustainable and just. I am happy to report that two political parties have openly supported this fight. The Green Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP).
This very unjust program is the direct result of the many unjust immigration and labour laws and policies of the Canadian Government. Status upon arrival is the one and only solution that we migrant workers are demanding. This can be achieved by Canadians pushing their politicians to change these very unjust policies.
I hope that you discover the power that you have in your hands as a consumer (voter, student, etc.) and use it to push people into action. Together, we can create a fair and just society that we all deserve in this great land of multiculturalism, diversity and abundance. Food security in Canada depends on you taking action.
Gabriel Allahdua
HOW TO TAKE ACTION:
Sign our petition.
Write to your MPP.
Originally from St. Lucia, Gabriel Allahdua worked as a migrant farm worker in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program for four years, from 2012 to 2015, before leaving the program to seek permanent residency in Canada. Now a leading voice in the migrant justice movement, Allahdua is an organizer with Justicia for Migrant Workers and an outreach worker with The Neighbourhood Organization, providing services to migrant workers across southwestern Ontario. He lives in Toronto with his two adult children and his grandson.
Allahdua’s award-winning, critically-acclaimed book is available at Words Worth Books in Uptown Waterloo. Or it can also be purchased online here.
