Toronto, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $1.8 million over 2 years to provide international agricultural workers (IAWs) in Ontario with enhanced access to mental health supports in Spanish, Tagalog, French and English.
Delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division, in close partnership with its Windsor-Essex and Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk regional branches, the International Agricultural Worker Wellness Program will support IAWs with managing stress, homesickness and isolation. The program will provide referrals to free local services, including recreational activities, primary care, counselling, support groups, in-person workshops, and more.
The program will launch in early 2025 and be delivered over 2 years, with resources available in Spanish, French and English in year 1, expanding to include Tagalog in year 2. The program will focus on the Windsor-Essex region first and then expand to Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk in year two. Both regions have high populations of IAWs. In the second year, the program will also offer support to farm operators with workshops on how to create safer workplaces.