'Dying before they even get to the hospital': Study examines migrant farm worker deaths during pandemic
Migrant workers in Ontario faced significant gaps in access to medical care during the pandemic, which led to a number of preventable deaths.
The information is included in the findings of a study that examined circumstances around several fatalities.
“Individuals who don’t know about 9-1-1, don’t know their address, so if an ambulance is dispatched it could be dispatched to the wrong address.” said Susana Caxaj, lead investigator and assistant professor of nursing at Western University.
The study examined coroners’ records of migrant farm worker deaths in Ontario between 2021 and 2022.
It found in many cases, migrant farm workers knew very little about how to access care.
“People who are admitted to the hospital and are unsure about whether to accept emergency care because they don’t know what costs are associated with it,” said Caxaj.
The study found several factors that contributed to fatalities, including poor testing protocol and limited oversight.
“The question is what is the government’s responsibility to oversee adequate inspections, and what is the public health care system’s responsibility to build adequate relationships with migrant agricultural workers?” said Caxaj.
According to researchers, nine migrant farm workers died in Ontario during the period under study — some just days after testing positive for COVID-19.
None of the deceased workers’ files had contact tracing information. Further, in some cases it was left up to the employer to monitor sick workers’ symptoms.Susana Caxaj, lead investigator and assistant professor of nursing at Western University speaks with CTV News London via Zoom, Feb. 4, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)The study found there was no standard protocol when it came to quarantine conditions on farms, nor was there a standard level of oversight by public health agencies. Some migrant workers died while they were self-isolating.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) said in a statement to CTV News that, “Substantial investments have been made to support international agri-food workers.”
The statement went on to say, “Our government has provided more than $36 million to the agri-food sector through the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection which has helped improved worker health and safety. An additional $22 million has been provided through the Agri-Tech Innovation Program, which has provided supports to enhance workers’ safety and the adoption of innovations and technology to enable better physical distancing between workers in the workplace. We have provided $220,000 in funding to the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers to support research into available mental health services and supports specific to the needs of international agri-food workers.”
The OMAFRA statement also pointed to new Ministry of Health guidance on testing, contact management, and isolation. It also said international agri-food workers are provided information on OHIP coverage and vaccines on arrival to Canada.
Caxaj said advocates for migrant farm workers will continue to apply pressure. “We’re asking for standard orientation of migrant agricultural workers,” she said. “The most concrete example is migrant agricultural workers dying before they even get to the hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions run high on the Hill as MPs debate second Conservative motion of non-confidence
Members of Parliament debated the second Conservative motion of non-confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government of the week on Thursday, amid simmering tensions.
WATCH LIVE Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida's Gulf Coast
Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast Thursday night, forecasters said, warning that the enormous storm could create a 'nightmare' surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S.
Cold case arrest: Nunavut RCMP charge man with murder in 1986 death of teenage girl
Mounties in Nunavut have made an arrest in the murder of a 15-year-old girl almost 40 years ago.
Mounties in B.C. warn 'highly convincing' scammers extorting victims with photos of their homes
Scammers are increasingly using emails to extort money from victims by threatening to reveal compromising photos, videos and personal information to their friends and family members, according to a new warning from Mounties in Metro Vancouver.
Air Canada flight to Toronto diverts due to emergency
An Air Canada flight headed to Toronto from Frankfurt diverted to Edinburgh due to an emergency Thursday, the airline says.
Canadian rapper K'naan charged with sexual assault following arrest in Quebec City
Canadian singer K’naan has been charged with sexual assault after being arrested by police in Quebec City.
NDP MP introduces bill to criminalize residential school denialism
An NDP MP has introduced a bill that would criminalize residential school denialism, saying it would help stop harm caused toward survivors, their families and communities.
Masking reintroduced in N.S. hospitals as respiratory illnesses increase
A partial masking mandate has returned to Nova Scotia hospitals and provincially run healthcare facilities for visitors and healthcare workers.
Eye drops recalled in Canada over infection risk
A Canadian pharmaceutical company is warning consumers not to use some of its eye drops because of potential microbial growth that may result in eye infections.