What I see today in Canada is the exact system of plantation labour that has ravaged the Caribbean

Chris Ramsaroop · CBC Docs · Posted: Nov 20, 2023 4:26 PM EST | Last Updated: November 20

Black Life: Untold Stories reframes the rich and complex histories of Black people in Canada, dispelling commonly accepted myths and celebrating the contributions of both famous and lesser-known individuals. The eight-part series spans more than 400 years with an eye toward contemporary issues, culture, politics, music, art and sports.

This article is by migrant advocate Chris Ramsaroop, who is featured in the episode “Migrations.” 

I came into organizing migrant workers by accident. In 2001, there was a wildcat strike in Leamington, Ont., about 300 kilometres southwest of Toronto,  involving migrant farm workers from Mexico who were protesting their accommodations and kitchen facilities, amongst other working and living conditions. 

Rather than address their concerns, the employer terminated the workers’ employment, and as a result, they were repatriated to their home country.

Right after the strike, the United Farm Workers (the union I worked for at the time) tasked me  with organizing a delegation to investigate working and living conditions at farms near Windsor, Ont. I will never forget the first time I visited Leamington. In the parking lot of St. Michael’s church, we were surrounded by dozens of workers speaking over one another to raise a litany of concerns, from living next to raw sewage and long hours of work, to overcrowded housing. It was surreal to hear about the cold, hard reality that people — whom we celebrate as “feeding our nation” — had to endure…

CBC Website

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