International Agricultural Workers and Housing in Rural Ontario

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This research initiative which will run from May 2023 until April 2026 explores innovative approaches to support International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) housing that can be transferred to rural Ontario and examines how local, provincial, and federal policies and guidelines influence IAW housing options in the agri-food sector. The methods will include systemic literature reviews on how other Canadian and international jurisdictions support IAWs; online surveys among land use planners and farmers to investigate policy impacts on IAW housing planning; and interviews among the agri-food sector in Ontario and IAWs in Mexico. This initiative will identify innovative practices, assess policy impacts, and gather insights from stakeholders to develop recommendations for enhancing IAW housing for the greater benefit of the agri-food sector and rural economies.

The primary goal of this research initiative is to provide the agri-food sector and government departments with knowledge on how to enhance the health and welfare needs of IAWs.

Research Team

  • Ajibola Agbejobi (MSc Candidate), University of Guelph)
  • Damilola Oyewale (MSc Candidate, University of Guelph)
  • Kelly Jackson (OMAFA)
  • Kimberley Niece (OMAFA)
  • Lidia Carvajal (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico)
  • Louis Helps (PhD Candidate, University of Guelph)
  • Ray Silvius (University of Winnipeg)
  • Ryan Gibson (University of Guelph)
  • Sara Epp (University of Guelph)
  • Wayne Caldwell (University of Guelph)

Resources

Funding Acknowledgement

This research is funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.