Overview of our activities in 2023
Support services:
From June to December 2023 alone, we received and responded to calls from over 200 migrant workers across Nova Scotia through our helpline, including reports of abuse, questions about rights, how to become a permanent resident, etc.
We supported migrant workers to exercise their rights, with a caseload of between 9 to 17 new and ongoing clients per month.
We supported 11 migrant workers in situations of abuse, including worker Orlando Rosas, to apply for the Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permits (VWOWPs), with a success rate of 100% approved applications.
Outreach and rights-based education:
We engaged in outreach and provided rights information to 1,104 migrant workers throughout the province.
We reached 100+ migrant workers through educational information sessions and workshops.
Community building:
We hosted two “Cultivating community” meals in Kings County, along with a social event in Lunenburg County. These events were attended by 155 migrant workers.
Photo: “Cultivating Community” event on September 24, 2023 in Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Mutual aid:
In June 2023, we distributed 106 food boxes to migrant farm workers in Central Kings.
We partnered with 4 local organizations to assemble and deliver 200 care packages to women migrant workers in Colchester County from August to September 2023.
We distributed over $5,000 in emergency funds to migrants through our Migrant Solidarity Fund.
Public education:
We hosted two public events in October 2023 with Gabriel Allahdua, author of Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker, which were attended by 65 people.
We spoke at events organized by the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, JustFOOD and Justice for Workers NS.
We distributed educational information regarding migrant worker rights at community events such as EMBRACE Truro Festival (September 2023) and Kentville Multicultural Festival (October 2023).
We were interviewed and/or appeared in the media over 12 times, including in the CBC, Halifax Examiner, Saltwire, New Canadian Media, City News, Spring Magazine, Signal Hfx, and NB Media Co-op.
Advocacy:
Since 2020, we have advocated for migrant workers to have access to provincial healthcare coverage upon arrival in Nova Scotia through our “Healthcare for all” campaign. This past year, the campaign focused on the case of cancer survivor and migrant leader Kerian Burnett. Kerian bravely spoke out about her experience as part of our campaign and she ultimately won federal healthcare coverage for her cancer treatment.
Photo: Kerian Burnett, left, speaks to the media, along with Stacey Gomez (CMWR-NS), and lawyer Thiago Buchert (Halifax Refugee Clinic). Credit: Suzanne Rent
We conducted a poll of migrant workers in which 99% of the 141 respondents indicated that they are in favour of permanent residence status for all migrants. We created a series of five posters which profiled some of the responses we received and we launched the “We are not temporary” poster campaign in December 2023. The campaign has expanded to over 10 communities in Nova Scotia.
On September 15, 2023, we partnered with Spring Magazine and Justice for Workers Nova Scotia for an action at the office of MP Andy Fillmore to call for permanent residence status for all migrants, as part of a cross-country Migrant Rights Network Day of Action. Speakers included migrant leaders Kerian Burnett and Orlando Rosas.
We are thankful for funding received from the Canadian Council for Refugees (Francisco Rico Access to Justice Award), Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA), Kings County Community Health Board, Along the Shore Community Health Board, Truro Colchester Welcome Network, Lotus Centre, United Way of Colchester County, and the Change Lab Action Research Initiative.
In addition, we are thankful to the many volunteers who have contributed to our work over the past year, as well as the many organizations we collaborate with such as KAIROS Halifax, Halifax Refugee Clinic, Barss Corner Baptist Church, Pro Bono Dalhousie, the Department of Social Justice & Community Studies at Saint Mary’s University, and the Valley Community Learning Association.
