 This project from Kairos Canada is funded by the government of Canada's temporary foreign worker program. My name is David Ivany. I am part of the empowering temporary foreign workers team and I'm honored to facilitate this webinar today. So welcome everyone. Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting today on the traditional territories of the Indigenous people across Turtle Island. We thank them for allowing us to meet and learn together on their territories. To the original caretakers of this land of which we stand, I acknowledge the land of the Huron-Wendat, Patun, Seneca, and most recently the Mississaugas of the Credit Indigenous Peoples where I am right now, to all that were here for thousands of years before us across Turtle Island. We honor the struggles and lives of those who gave themselves for it. For those here today, we acknowledge the ancestors. Beneath our feet, we acknowledge the land. Our ears to the ground, we can hear them. The Cree, the Metis, the Dine, the Soto, and Anishinaabe, the Dakota and Lakota nations, the Inuit, the Blackfoot, the Inu, and all nations, all the nations that came before us and those yet to become. An infinity of footsteps of those who long called this land home. The unfolding of bundles, the undoing of colonization, and the opening of this land to allow treaty to come alive. We affirm our relationship to each other and to the land. We acknowledge and pay respects to the Indigenous nations and ancestors of this land. So hello, but overall welcome. We're very excited about this project, and I'm very excited for those who are going to be speaking to it. I believe she is here. So I would like to start by introducing Laurie Ransom. It is my privilege to introduce Laurie Ransom, who has been serving as interim executive director for Cairo's Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives since January 1st, 2021. Laurie is a member of the Algonquins of Big Bang Ngun, First Nation, who has lived off reserve all her life in Toronto, Ottawa, and Regina. Laurie deepened her knowledge of and passion for the work of healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples after being appointed as the first healing and reconciliation program animator for the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and later as senior advisor, church and interfaith relations for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Most recently, she has served as a reconciliation and Indigenous justice animator with the United Church of Canada. These are highlights of a rich history of reconciliation work, and it is my pleasure to introduce Laurie Ransom. Thank you. Thank you very much, David. Can everyone hear me? Okay, that's terrific. Apologies for arriving just as we started. And when I conclude, I will be listening eagerly to my other panelists, but have to turn off my mic for a little bit. This is like, I have almost eight hours on Zoom today, so you'll forgive me if I eat lunch while this takes place. But first of all, let me add my words of welcome to everyone to this webinar. Kairos is absolutely delighted to be hosting and hosting this project and this webinar on supporting migrant workers in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll be having biweekly webinars now until the end of June. And so, again, it's great that all of you made time this afternoon to join us. In this inaugural webinar, we're very pleased to introduce the project, our empowering temporary foreign workers during COVID-19 project. The project just began just as we were entering 2021, just as we were wrapping, heading into the Christmas period. In fact, when we learned we had received support for moving forward and it will run until June 30th. Please note that the project is funded by the Government of Canada's temporary foreign worker program. And it's specifically designed to support foreign workers in parts of the country where we have really established relationships, that being in the Maritimes in Ontario. Of course, as many of you know, Kairos is no stranger to these temporary foreign worker communities. For 20 years, we've been pleased to build networks and to work to strengthen partnerships and support of labor rights and human rights. I've tried our best to accompany migrant workers to access legal support and address their other needs. And we're committed to bringing their precarious situation to the attention of all Canadians, and also particularly to elected officials. For example, we organized the first national migrant gathering in 2006 that brought together migrant workers from different streams and sectors from trade unions and other advocate groups. Our recent work has helped improve the living and working conditions of migrant caregivers. The goal of this new project, which we want to highlight today is assistance to temporary foreign workers during the pandemic and with a focus on the agricultural sector. Kairos therefore is working with local partners that include the Durham Regent Migrant Workers Ministry and the Center for Migrant Workers Solidarity in Simcoe who are with us today and will be introduced shortly. We're also very pleased to partner with the Neighborhood Organization, which is also in Ontario. In Atlantic Canada, we're partnering with the Cooper Institute in Prince Edward Island with the Filipino Canadian community in New Brunswick. And no one is a legal Halifax. We also look forward to anticipating collaborating with additional community organizations and service providing agencies as we continue to roll out the initiative. As mentioned, the government of Canada's financial support, which I'm just delighted to say is at the level of $2.18 million for this initiative is much needed, a much needed funding infusion for our partners and community organizations who until now, as you know, have been supporting migrant workers with limited means throughout the pandemic. We're all aware of the accounts of unsafe work conditions, of underpayment, of inadequate housing and adequate health care, lack of access to legal and settlement services. These have been well documented. And we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has just dramatically worsened the situation. For migrant workers, increased isolation imposed by the pandemic makes finding and accessing supports they need from multiple service providers just that more difficult. The project therefore is designed to address these difficulties. We're providing access to government information resources to tutorials, workshops and webinars to help temporary foreign workers learn about health and safety precautions related to COVID-19, the proper and effective use of personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitation, and other related public health protocols. The funding we believe will strengthen network capacity to accompany workers in accessing services and benefits. This includes medical services, as well as exercising, pardon me, exercising their rights and receiving direct services and emergency assistance. Finally, we're implementing a community coordinated approach, collaborating with stakeholders to improve and address the identified gaps and challenges to help increase the protection and safety of migrant farm workers and to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in places where they live and work. These migrant workers are frontline workers. They're quite literally keeping the rest of us fed. They make deep personal sacrifices to come here to support their own families, including during these very challenging times. I can't thank them enough. Our own families could not live comfortably without these workers' contributions to our society. So we're especially grateful to them and to everyone in the farming community for all that they do. Thanks, David. I'm going to turn it back to you. Thank you so much, Laurie. And we are going to move on to Father Peter Cilella. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Father Peter joined a religious order where he was trained to be a missionary to serve migrants, the Scalabranians. Scalabranians, sorry. He served in Columbia, the United States, Venezuela and Canada as a priest for 22 years. In 2014, Father Peter began to serve in the Diocese of Hamilton. He worked with the migrant farm workers since 2009 and in Brant and Linden, Ontario since 2017. Father Peter provides overall oversight of the Center for Migrant Workers Solidarity in Zimco, a community coordinated initiative to support migrant farm workers in the surrounding communities. And with that, it's my pleasure to introduce Father Peter. Thank you, David. And thank you to the all the team members of Kairos and all the other partners for this opportunity. Just to share a little bit about our experience and our part of the world we're we're serving. I should add that the work that's being done has been going on. As it was pointed out, it's not that we're just starting something new. What is new, of course, is the perhaps the reach, the scope, the depth, because of the injection of funding that will help us to give more service. The area that we're talking about basically, we're the centers based in Zimco would be considered kind of like Southwest Ontario, not far from, you know, Branford, going towards London. And but the area that we're servicing is not just that local region of Norfolk. We also encompass Linden and and rent. So as I said, the the four main groups that make up this sort of partnership centered around the Center for migrant worker solidarity include the Linden migrant workers network, the Norfolk representation group. I work personally at a brand in in Burford, unless it's accurate, that's sort of my home base. And then we also include which covers multiple areas, the Caribbean workers outreach. So we wanted to also give them some attention, because most of us are primarily working with Spanish speaking and the Mexicans or Mollins. But we also saw the need to include that representation as well. Again, all these groups working in different capacities, limited resources, but thankfully, the generosity of in partnership with Kairos, we're able to continue our work in our service. In the past, we were able to do certain gatherings and services like in my church, we would do a religious service, followed by a meal or fellowship. Of course, that's not possible right now because they are because of their congregate living. We need to be we need to protect the migrant workers and avoid any kind of gathering, per se. So we we try to do things as best we can through zoom, through what's up, some of the challenges because not all the farms are necessarily properly equipped with Wi-Fi. Many of the men do have data, but you know, they're bringing their phones from Mexico. And so they have to also save their minutes for their talks and in connection with their loved ones. Some of the projects that we're going to be embarking on, as I said, we're limited with the COVID. But something that we sort of undertaken is this idea of providing a gift bank. So we want to welcome them, make them feel a part of our community, not just welcome them as workers, but welcome them as vibrant members of our community. And each gift bag will include items such as PPE, masks, sanitizers, some toiletries, and some packaged food. And also, of course, information, our information, our contact information, and so forth, so that they can reach out to us. From that initial contact with the migrant workers, we hope to be able to build on that so that we can disseminate a number of these resources that Service Canada has provided. And even for me, I've been doing this work for a number of years. It's great to have because, you know, sometimes you think, Oh, well, these are migrant workers or special category, but reading the material, a worker is a worker is a worker. Whether the worker has residency, citizenship, or is here on a temporary basis, they have rights. They have to be respected. They're not indentured servants. They're not slaves. And, you know, in our experience, unfortunately, you see the gamut runs wide, you see those that are great and excellent in treating the workers with kindness, dignity, fairness. You see those that are now they do the minimum, they're okay, nothing, they don't break any rules. Unfortunately, our experience has been more than there are a number I don't know percentage wise, but too many unfortunately need to improve the quality of life and the way they treat the workers, you know, in terms of their fairness and renumeration, and so forth. Then with COVID that complicates things because they're supposed to be in isolation, even there, there's misunderstanding because sometimes the guys are told, Well, you're going to be in isolation, but, you know, you have to pay for your food. No, the government has given each farm credit so that they they must provide food for the workers while they're in that mandatory isolation, when they first arrive. So our work as well, we're not, we're advocates, we, of course, we want to help the migrant workers. But our work is also to work with the farmers, you know, we don't see them as the enemy, we don't see them as the bad guys, so to speak, we don't demonize them. As I said, we praise those who do the work and treat the workers fairly, but then we have to call out those who are not doing things properly. Now we don't have any enforcement power. That's not in our purview. So what we will do that is, if we see a situation that needs attention, then we will contact the local authorities like public health, or the labor board or so forth to bring that to their attention. And then they do the enforcement piece. And we do that because obviously we don't have that jurisdiction, that power. Secondly, those of us in the frontline have to be very diplomatic. Like my own case, I have parishioners, people in my congregation that are farmers. So I don't want to antagonize them. But I try to persuade and, you know, I could say, generally the ones that are part of my congregation treat the workers very, very well, fairly. But still, I won't be afraid to speak up if I have to. And when I need to call in question and bring in the authority so that a certain situation can be addressed. So and migrant workers don't get out from a union. The law doesn't allow them to do that. And, and there was an article a couple of weeks ago, this gentleman representing the Farmers Association sort of said, well, they have the Consulate Office. If you talk at least to the Mexicans, they'll tell you that pretty much useless. This is their quotation, inutile. No funciona. Like, for the most part, you don't get a lot of back in your support. Surprisingly, last year, Mexico finally did say something with the migrant deaths. But we feel that, you know, it shouldn't just be a tragedy that calls attention, you know, they need to address it before things happen. So this is some of the things we're trying to provide. We respond when we can. We work with our local agencies like Public Health. We have a very good relationship, for example, with the medical officer for Norfolk, Alderman. He's a strong advocate. He's doing all he can. In fact, yesterday, we had a training session with Dr. Shankar Desothari. And he's advocating the government saying that migrant workers should our frontline workers and should be in priority in terms of vaccination. So that was good to hear. Now, whether or not the government acts upon it, that's another story, right? But it's good to know that there are strong community partners that are advocating. Other community partners include the churches. So like in Norfolk, we are very grateful for the local, for example, Catholic community, family's parishes, Father Murphy, Father DeFremont, Herman, I see is here as well, plus, and a number of people that have been doing this for years. So, as I said, we didn't, we didn't just invent the wheel. It's been going on. But we're hoping that through this interesting collaboration, we'll be able to strengthen our, our services. We've, we've cooperated with one another in a loose way. But now with the center, we obviously, and because it's a grant, we have to formalize that relationship. So we obviously have to do things according to certain procedures standards, because we are, we have to make an account of what we're doing, how we're doing it, what will work, what works, what doesn't work. And part of that project to includes being able to actually pay people, you know, usually we've relied on hardworking volunteers, but it's good that we were able to actually get people, you know, and properly compensate them, because many of them are putting their, their time, their mileage, their, all the resources, and they'll do it willingly. But it's only fair that we, we find the ways to support them as well. Other ways that we can also help is through our translation when we're called upon. I know in my case, for example, when there was an outbreak at Scotland Farm, I was called to visit the five installations. And not only to bring the workers some care, pastoral comfort, but also to serve as an interpreter, so that the news that was the unfortunate use of Mr. Juan Chaparro Lopez, one of the three that passed away in Ontario last year. And we were able to do some fundraising for the family as well. Very tragic and very sad. So our hope is that through, through this injection of funding and through this, you know, the termination of the government to really give us the tools that we can to work on these things, that we can avoid the tragedies of the past. Right now, currently, there is a group of 10 that are being housed at the best Western in Bradford. They are chicken catchers. These are, these are the guys that they don't come just for the season. There's a difference between those who come with a one to year visa and those that come for the eight or nine months, they're allowing the seasonal workers the extra month. But these guys have been have been here and so I believe a group of 10 one was COVID positive and the other nine obviously were exposed. So that's another way we respond. We do have a good relationship with the hotel manager. She's very, very good at allowing us to know obviously we can't be in contact with them. But we bring them again, a gift bag, some information, some contact information, because basically they have to stay in the room, they can't leave, they're in the room, the food is brought to them. And they're under the care of the look in this case would be the grant health unit. So these are some of the situations we've encountered and our ongoing work and continuing service. So with that, I stop my presentation. If I know if you want to do the questions or after I'll send it back to David. Thank you so much. There is so much to this issue. And I'm looking forward to getting into the Q&A after our next speaker. So thank you for our final speaker for this webinar is Francine Burke, another partner in the project. So Francine Burke is the project coordinator for the Durham Region Migrant Worker Ministry, the slash Durham Region Agriculture Migrant Worker Network. Francine was an administrator and outreach coordinator at the only ethnic specific AIDS service organization in Canada, the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention of Metropolitan Toronto, better known as Black Cap. Over her tenure at Black Cap, she was instrumental in providing outreach services at community events year in and year out, that would directly impact the African Caribbean Black community of the Greater Toronto area. So now Francine Burke. Thank you, David, for that introduction. Hello, everybody. So a lot of what I was going to say has already been spoken about by Reverend Peter as well as by Lori. So that kind of shortens what I have to say. But nonetheless, I do have a lot to share. So firstly, as stated, I am the project coordinator for the Durham Region Migrant Worker Ministry as well as the Durham Region Agricultural Migrant Network. And I work along with the team. So as we all know, the best of our work is not done individually or silos. I have a great team that I work along with and we all work together cohesively, which is my Reverend Augusto Nunes. Some of you may be familiar and have worked with him before. He is the pastor in charge at St. Saviour's Anglican Church. And he is the pastor in charge for Durham Region Migrant Worker Ministry. There's also Elizabeth Espinoza, who is our outreach and direct services coordinator. And Christina Gomez, who is our real rural workshop facilitator. Now the best thing with all of us put together is Reverend Augusto, Elizabeth and Christina, both fluently speak English and Spanish. So que habla español. For myself, I'm actually fluent in English and in French. And I'm from a Caribbean background. So I am well versed in all Caribbean dialects. So that's where our services get used and are best applicable to understanding where our migrant workers are coming from and also being able to relate to them. Just it's a matter of meet them where they're at. So it's you can speak your mother tongue, you can speak to your dialect, you can speak whatever you're comfortable with and able to communicate with us efficiently. No judgment. So the partner agencies that we work with, one of which is Cairo's and Lori did a thorough introduction of Cairo. So I won't repeat that. However, we also work with another consortium of other agencies of partner agencies, which is including the neighborhood organization, the neighborhood organization, which is located in Toronto. That's the Sacramento migrant worker ministry sent for migrant workers, which is covering North Hamilton, Norfolk, which is Port Rowan, Hallamondon, counties, shores of Lake Erie, south of London and Hamilton, and also Friends of Linden, which are present, which is located covering Branford, Langford, Conservatory, Linden Friends of migrant workers as well. So with us, we're also a faith based mission. So as a ministry approaching our objectives with a form of supportive and positive supportive and faith based approach, which is understanding the faith that has been a lot of the foundation of what the migrant workers have come from with their upbringing, but also it's a matter of there's their sole support while they're here and abroad doing their migrant work. So understanding that and having that being part of our approach has also been very sorry, has also been very an advantage. And it's something that works very well, because understanding that while going through these current times that we're living in nothing is more sacred than your faith and keeping your faith and being able to speak with somebody that understands your faith and where that's coming from. So we're able to integrate both the support work along with faith to provide additional support services for the migrant workers. So just very briefly, the background of Durham Region migrant worker ministry, as well as Durham Region migrant agricultural network was unexpectedly founded in 2013, where there was a group of individuals who came together in response to the need for migrant workers' integration into the community. In 2014, the ministry became official. And it's an unincorporated network of organizations that care about the quality of life for migrant workers while they're away from their home and family and country of origin. So our mission and vision is working collaboratively to create barrier free access to culturally sensitive quality health and social service for migrant workers in Durham Region, in which we house for migrant workers solely over 15 farms. So we're seeing a vast number of migrant workers that are here, especially specifically from Mexican and Caribbean background. So our values are equitable and inclusive responsiveness, social justice and health literacy. And we understand in our current times, how crucial this health literacy is, and we ensure that we're providing that information and knowledge to our workers. So in that aspect, how do we do that? We provide information in support about local health care, human rights and social service to workers and social services to workers. Myself and Elizabeth do both have social service worker background. So that's another advantage that we want the workers, the operators, as well as the supervisors to take full advantage of understanding that we are more of a one stock shop in regards to support services that can be obtained. Providing opportunities for social interactions in the past, Reverend Augusto has had such things as sports days. To keep that interaction going, as we all know, football or soccer, however you want to name it is something that is a common pastime. So bringing that social interaction in place to just just to allow the mental health to just to support one's mental health, having those activities, we do know that these workers are working profusely over extensive hours continuously, and having that social support is necessary. And we are literally in the planning of how that's going to take place in these current times. But one thing I can tell you with myself along with our team, we will make it happen some way somehow, but it will happen. So advocating for migrant workers, providing education opportunities on migrant workers for all community members. So to be included in the community, we also have to advise and educate the community members of the fact of migrant workers are in their community and to make sure that they're treated justly and fairly. Creating awareness of migrant workers in the germ region for all community members as mentioned and provide a forum to obtain feedback and implement suggestions based on feedback. We can only go forward when we include everybody in regards to what we're doing and how to progress. And that's the best way for advancement. So our the countries that we have for our seasonal agricultural workers out here in Durham is Zanguila, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica. We have a lot from Mexico, Montserrat, St. Kitson Nevis, St. Lucia, my home country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Currently, we are actually, oh sorry, we're currently working on the solidifying the contacts with the operators and the supervisor for the farms. There are some years where that changes in regards to especially supervisors. If that has changed hands, in regards, usually it's a main or lead contact of one of the farm workers. That could be one of our point of contacts as well. We do provide the delivery of welcome bags that is also supported through Kairos. And we also ensure that we're including informational material in there, which is provided by Service Canada in regards to protocol in regards to following and adhering to those protocols. We include snacks in there and toiletries. Beneficial to us in Durham region, there was put out by Durham Health, Public Health, Section 22, which adheres that we have to have culturally specific food included, which is, it's an amazing thing to know that you can get that these workers could get culturally specific food for themselves. We've delivered winter clothing for workers as well. We can only imagine, we can endure the cold, but imagine being from a Southern constant in which this is not your normal weather and to be working outside for anywhere from eight to 16 hours a day in these temperatures, we're ensuring that the clothing is available for them. So creating and delivering support modules, providing personal support, counseling, self-care and wellness activities, as I had mentioned, by providing outreach to commonly frequented locations. So we make our outreach not just solely to the farms, because we know that's where they'll be, but how about we go to the grocery stores where they frequent, where they do their groceries on a weekly basis, whether it's a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we know which grocery stores they frequent. We also know that remittances are part of a reoccurring schedule of a task that needs to be accomplished. So we're there. Sometimes some workers may not be comfortable if we're speaking to them on the farm, but if they're speaking to us outside, there's no limitation to what that conversation would be. And as Reverend Peter spoke about collaborating, we're currently also collaborating to provide Wi-Fi at bunk houses through internet providers, because that's needed. I don't think anybody can imagine that your spouse has gone away to work for eight months. And especially with the quarantine that needs to take place, they come here, there's no data. They're not able to tell you that they arrive safely. There's no communication. And furthermore, imagine quarantining for 14 days with no contact with anybody on the outside, no family, no anything. So we want to make sure that there is stable and sufficient Wi-Fi available in all the bunk houses, including the quarantine bunk houses. So with our past experience with migrant workers in community outreach within our team, we have the unique skill to provide personal and confidential support while knowing how to navigate efficiently so that we don't cause any concern or bring any attention to the workers. So that's why we also ensure that not just doing outreach at the farms, but doing outreach to the locally frequented areas is so crucial to us. I did see a question pop up, but I will leave that for the question period, the Q&A, to respond to that. But I did see it. So that's it for me, David. Go ahead from there. Thank you. Thank you so much. So why don't we start with the question that's already been asked as people start preparing their questions? So what are some other recreation and fun activities that you've come up with? Okay, so as we mentioned, football has been something that has taken place. I always say one of the benefits is that I grew up more of a tomboy. So I've already started sourcing cricket bats for cricket, because that's a socially distanced sport opposed to the batsmen in the catcher, which we could adhere to that. Making sure that when I'm doing the visits is that I have cards that I have dominoes. I've also inquired in regards to building looty boards that can be at each bunkhouse. Those are Caribbean pastimes that are just staples and just understanding of how that can also help. One thing that has taken place is there is a fiesta that Reverend Augusto would have at least twice in the summer, which is just a large, just as we know, as a fiesta, if anybody doesn't know, just a large gathering of the migrant workers and support workers, having a dinner, having some fun time, a little bit of music, and just ensuring that we're doing that from all aspects as well. So having we could have a fiesta and then we could have a fish fry, which is more of a Caribbean, and it is what it sounds like, but includes a lot more than that. So bringing back what is culturally specific and bringing that into a way that if everybody can learn about each other's background and culture, but also including that in a way of a recreation and a fun activity, I've done, I'm a person, I've also made costumes for caribabana. So even if it's a matter of bringing something like that into place, having a FET, having a line, those type of aspects, getting that going so it's not just they're stuck at the farms and there's no social activities, keeping that interaction as well as from an educational basis. I just just add, you know, again, with COVID and there are those limitations of the gathering. So in brand, of course, we would have our monthly gathering because we have the facility and the space to provide, you know, home cooked meal, which the guys always appreciate. I know Norfolk and Simcoe, they used to have a tradition of doing a soccer tournament, kind of like a picnic or a day, an outing together. So right now what we're looking at, like Francine was saying, is bringing them the supplies, whether it's cards, soccer balls, whatever, so that they can do that recreation, maybe on a on a smaller scale. I know sometimes I've ever seen donations of bicycles and that's another welcomed tool because many of them do live in isolation, even in literally like they're they're outside of the town. So and not all of them have the license to drive. So the bike is a great way for them to for recreation and also to be able to go to the local store to buy something. So we have a question from Marissa. So is there a way to find out which farms employ migrant farm workers besides word of mouth and farming networks? And is there a specific contact at embassies or through other networks? Recognizing that there are privacy issues in this. That's the problem. Yeah, that's that's that's something we've tried to look into. And it's word of mouth because we can't you know, even when I when I first arrived to this area, I said, well, I see the farm, but where's the office? Where's the building? So even there, it's a little bit hidden, you know, and then you find out, oh, it's over there. OK, it's in that concession. It's just legwork. You have privacy issue. You can't just access that information of the farms. But you know, the migrant workers are pretty good. They'll share. So we built up a bit of a network ourselves. They can brand I'm on a on a social media WhatsApp group, which includes almost about one hundred and fifty. So I'll ask the guys I'll say, hey, if you know anybody or any other new arrivals, please let me know. Contact. So word about this is a big tool for us. But yeah, we there isn't the database that you can just access. And oh, there they are. No. Sorry. So very quickly for ourselves, just to further in regards to what Reverend Peter said. So that is something that that's how it it works out in Durham area as well. But what I've been doing as I'm new in this role as well is creating a database in regards to the operators, the contact, their preferred form of email or contact, right? And having that so that we understand how that works when we have those contacts and just with the common understanding that that would be shared only with migrant worker ministries or networks through Ontario or through Canada. So they understand that that's how it would be shared and also getting their consent to do that prior to. But hopefully this isn't a roadblock that we'll have to continue to face in the future, just with that common understanding. Yeah, David, perhaps I could just add on that question that we have information on Cairo's website about the organizations with whom we work. So to try to get an idea of who's working with Oregon with migrant workers, people can access that list and in that way find out where people are located. And Jamal has mentioned also freedom of information requests being a useful tool that they've used in Quebec as well. So we have a question from Selvi. So in PEI, they're working on ensuring all migrant workers have access to health care and get a health card. There are also efforts for safe housing. What are your experiences and thoughts around these essential services for health care and housing? And it's an easy ticket, easy question. Yeah, like I said, it's it varies. There there is a standard. There is an inspection, for example, in Norfolk, they have rather large farms and groupings. They call them bunk houses. I don't know if people were aware of some of the controversy because of the the tight space that they live in. And, you know, some of the difficulty is that when the inspector goes and sees these bunk houses, they're clean, they're pristine because they're not occupied yet. So they'll go in the off season, check it out, say, everything looks good. But, you know, when you put people in there, things change. So, yeah, unfortunately, even Dr. Shanker was saying that I really feel they have to move away from those bunk houses. They're just not not humane, you know, putting 40, 50 guys in a in a very confined space. Even even if they meet this basic requirement, it's it's not humane. So there are those that do have decent accommodation and some are pretty, you know, pretty good. But again, it varies. And this is the problem is who enforces it, who follows up on it. You know, right now it's really up to the individual farmer. But, you know, like I wanted, I just posted a link to an op ed where I say, you know, really, the government has to step up its plan and and be more proactive in that regard to to make housing a priority. And and when there's been an outbreak, this is this is the result. We know that like our nursing homes. We know that when there's a weakness in the system, the virus exploits it and it just magnifies it. Yeah, absolutely. Connie wanted to respond to the previous question as well. So, Connie. Hi, everyone. Thank you so much. And thank you for the question around, you know, getting more information where the farmers are and, you know, how many workers they are employing because we are supported by the government of Canada and they really wanted us to stay in this project. They promised that they're going to provide us with the list of, you know, farmers and employers so that we would, you know, it would help us be able to reach out to them. And as Father Peter mentioned before, the the the community, you know, groups who are already have connections with farmers. This this also helps in terms of getting getting that information and getting, you know, referrals to other farmers. The other thing that I would like to share is the fact that we have relationships with consulates of sending countries. So we have relationships with, you know, the consulate of Barbados, Jamaica and other Caribbean smaller countries so that they let us know if, you know, some of their workers are needing immediate assistance and also just having that, you know, open communication so that we can both be responsive to the needs of the workers. So I just want to put that out there. Thank you. Thank you, Connie. There was a question about whether any of our partners are working with chicken catchers specifically. How do you sell the group, the group from from Lyndon? Yes. And they are working with Guatemalans. They are working with Guatemalans, but also they have been meeting with, yes, with the chicken catchers. Yes. So the person to contact is it could be Ella or Richard. Yes. Yes, they have an outbreak right now. I explained that to them. So I wanted that. I forgot to mention names, so you already saw some of their faces. So Fanny Vokosky is the director of the center and he say, oh, my towel is part of the lending group, but also he works with the Grand Erie Clinic. Ella Haley is part of the Lyndon Friends or Network and Langford Conservancy. So these are some of the key people that and then Reverend Lennox Scarlett and and they are representing the the Caribbean outreach. So those are, as I said, we were not an organic group of of ministry or service providers, but we're learning to work a little bit more interlinked a bit more because of the the nature of the of the project and the program. Speaking about the farms. The other day we went we went to Google and then we Google farms from Brand County, Norfolk County, Haldiman County. And we there is a list and there was a lot of farms and most of the farms in this area hired migrant workers. Now, last night I went to see a group of people in Jarvis, Haldiman County and they were from the work at Pro Plant and they were from Vietnam and some of them are from India. So we are working, we are getting workers from different countries and they were very pleased and they are very happy that all these groups are joining forces and they are very they appreciate the work that is being done. And I think they were in quarantine. Ella, Ella, they were the ones that were in quarantine in Brantford and they were very, very grateful with their welcome bags. So it's it's it's very important, very important to keep keep up with the work everybody's doing. Thank you so much, Fanny. There was a question about whether we were working with or in contact with any groups in Leamington that Sylvia could get in touch with. We can also anyone is free to respond in the chat as well. And we have a response to that question as well. Fanny, there is a question about whether you know if there are any Oh, do you know what language is the worker from India speak? Well, is some of them from India, when I spoke to them, they they spoke English. Young, very young guys, they spoke English and the girls from Vietnam, they they spoke little English, but we were able to communicate. I guess Vietnam is. Yeah, some of them can understand, but they are kind of practicing. But one of them, yes, yes. Yeah. And the other ones, they I talked to them and they were speaking English, but I don't know which language. I don't know if it's a girlie or does they make a lot of a girlie from India? There is a question regarding Connie mentioning the federal government providing lists of farms to participating organizations. Does it include names or just the number of employees? I hope we will, you know, we will get the the names, the contact information and where they are located, because what we're asking is not just in Ontario, but also to support the work of our partners in the maritime. So basically, farmers, employers in PEI in Nova Scotia and in Brunswick. Yeah. This is Roland from the Filipino Canadian Community of New Bruns. Can you guys hear me? OK, yeah, so we were shared with information from from Canada, from a website, one of the websites of IRCC, a list of employers that anybody could could look at. So I don't know if that resource could could be useful to you guys. So it's a list of LMAs that issued to employers. So we have from New Brunswick, we have about, I think, four hundred of those. But those are those ones issued from you can get back as twenty eighteen, twenty seventeen. So we're assuming that some of the TW that came in twenty eighteen is not PR yet. So they could be part of this program. So I will I will put the in the chat room here. I will put the the site where we get this information. So you guys, you know, it's listed up, you know, all over Canada. So this is the one that we're working now. Our team is working now in New Brunswick is to identify, you know, a geographical location in New Brunswick so we can kind of segregated it. So we could when we go to one place that we could pinpoint a strategic location where we can we can give away our welcome bags or welcome information that we have. So guys, check it out. I know that the PEI is also using that. That that site. So unfortunately, it's only it's only up to up to a Q3 of twenty twenty. So anybody that there's no Q4 there yet. So that's why I'm hoping that the Q4 will be out sometimes. But I think Q3 and maybe Q2 also is also a way for us to identify. Which which employers who are the employees that employing migrant workers. So you guys, if you guys want to check that one out, we we we talk about whatever's in New Brunswick, and that's what we are looking for now. We're sending an email them, but we try to contact them by phone and also contact initially in the community. I think that's the best way that we have. So last weekend, we went to, you know, Celiac and when the concentration of DFW in New Brunswick. And we work with the community to identify who could be a contact for the community, whether they are from, you know, from Mexican, from Jamaican or a Filipino temporary phone workers. And, you know, we got some of those and we're just waiting for our welcome bags to be processed so we could go back to them and give those give those necessary PPE for them. And we're also working with employers. So we have a couple of employers now that we're in talk to to meet. You know, it just it's going to be a very diplomatic because, you know, they're saying they're not affected. But I said, you know, we have two kinds of service that we can offer them. One is to the PPE. And the other one is they become, you know, affected by COVID-19. So yeah, so you guys check it out. And maybe you can find it useful while we're waiting for the updated data from Connie. I guess, you know, no one would be better. So thank you. Thank you very much. I have a couple of questions from Gabriel. But first, I saw that Jean had her raised her hand. Did you have a question that you wanted to ask? Yes, I just wondered what this the possibility of vaccinating the people, especially those who are in such tight accommodations is how soon are they likely to be? As I said yesterday, we had our conversation with Dr. Shankar from Norfolk Holden Health Unit. They're asking the government, but it's, you know, in this in this era of shortage of vaccination, you know, that it's a political issue. So, unfortunately, and rightly so, the seniors, the most vulnerable, but I don't know if the migrant workers are going to necessarily be given a priority. It's an ongoing discussion like Dr. Shankar even mentioned prisoners. They're a vulnerable sector as well. And but who's going to advocate for them, you know. So nothing has been explicitly pronounced by the government. My sense is I may be a little bit not so optimistic. I think they'll be getting it with the rest of the general population. I don't see an urgency to get them vaccinated beforehand. A whole lot arrived today, apparently, at least was a whole lot was approved. So thank you. Thank you. And Link was just put in the chat from Jane migrantrights.ca slash vaccines for all. So it's good to see that there is a push for vaccines for migrant migrant workers as well. So there was a great question from Gabriel that I wanted to get to. What can you tell us about the mental health of the farm workers one year after the pandemic started? I want to invite at least they off you're still there. Can you you've dealt with them on that level as well? If you wanted to comment about the mental health, at least they off. Yes, we usually because we provide clinical services to the workers and we implement a survey on psychological distress to the workers just to learn how they are doing mentally. And what I can say is that in general, what you what we see more regularly is more cases of depression and anxiety. And the reason of depression is to is really feeling far from their families, far from working with the children in their decisions and also being a father or a parent with a couple and the partnering in their own country. And the anxiety comes has mostly to do when there are issues with the family in their home country. They feel this anxiety of not being able to participate to collaborate to support, etc. But also sometimes the working conditions and the relationship with workers is not necessarily the best situation. And that also trigger these feelings of anxiety. Something that also I can say is that when we were looking at the result of this survey, we have done that for three years and I'm looking for stress. The level of stress is not that high. And probably one of the reasons is because they come to Canada with this mental attitude that you are you come here to work, to be far from your family. And that's what you do here. And that's what it is. And so for us was a little surprising because we were thinking that considering the the weight of the work that they do, sometimes the working conditions and the condition and the hours of working of this work in some areas that can be up to 12, 14 hours per day. We were expecting a much higher level of stress. And so we didn't find a high level of stress among most of the workers. But something that we believe is because they also come from also very dire conditions in their own countries. And so for Latin Americans to move to Canada, life in a way gets some kind of compensation. Let's call it that way. OK, I'm not using any professional language here because coming from uncertainty, delinquency, violence, exploitation in their own countries to Canada, then that level of facing those daily situations is lower. However, they still need a lot of support in regard to mental health because also the tendency from the workers is to deny mental health conditions. And I think it's interesting because sometimes you go to the and this I'm not talking about only the Mexicans. I'm talking also about the Caribbean community that we know. And what is interesting is that you ask them about addiction and alcohol, alcoholism, etc. And ninety nine point point ninety nine will say no, we don't have those problems. But when you visit them in the farms, you will see people around tables with full of bottles of beer. So the reality is probably that that's one way for them to relax. And the question is if that becomes then an addiction, we don't know. We haven't we haven't been able to reach that level. But we know that that they many of them probably will drink alcohol and but also keeping the working condition because they need to work. So it's not that they pass out and they are not able to work now for them. Work is the priority. But certainly mental health is something that they need for sure. But the way to address the mental health component has to be thought a lot because if you openly talk about it, the reaction will be, I don't have a problem. I am fine. And then they will stop with the dialogue. And then they say, I think it's also the insecurity, right? Because they don't want to present themselves of having any kind of sickness or concern for the bosses because they want to be able to work and they want to be able. And the other thing is the call back. That's the anxiety. So they're very highly motivated workers, but sometimes to their detriment, unfortunately. And so just to add a little bit is also the something that increases the level of anxiety is the relationship with the farmer. And a common comment from the workers is some farmers are very what will be the term? They say that they do this. They come with some orientation about what they need to do with the crop. You have to say something. And then two days later, he comes and tells them totally something totally different. And then he, these farmers start talking to work and saying, why did you do that? I'm telling you to do this, et cetera. And so some farmers in their behavior with the workers, they are what will be the term, maybe abuse, it can be the term. Demanding abuse, demanding, sometimes demanding, not considering what they were letting the workers know, et cetera. And that uncertainty about what the farmer is going to let them know tomorrow creates a lot of anxiety among workers. Thank you for your input on that, Elisabeth. Thank you, Elisabeth. I have a question from Reverend Diane Everett. Hi, I was just curious, I guess, mostly to Peter and Laurie, but to really anyone about if you if you were happy with the article on the front page of the Saturday Star a couple of weeks ago about the confidential probe done by the Ontario Coroner's Office into the death of migrant workers and that the confidential aspect of it is problematic, I guess. But I don't know if you saw that, but if you did, I was wondering if you were pleased with the investigative reporting from the Toronto Star. It's right on the front page. So is that from Sarah? Is that Sarah, the writer, Sarah along M? I don't know, I don't pronounce her. Yes, yeah, Sarah, Marge Tedesda and Rachel Mendelssohn. Yeah, I'm not familiar with that piece. Sarah was in contact with me a few weeks ago because she needed some information. So I wasn't I told her to give me the heads up about the publication. But she and her fellow writer are if it's from Sarah and a writer, I'm sure they do an excellent job. They they have been the ones that have been really bringing to light a lot of the problematic. And Sarah mentioned to me that she felt that it was all this kind of secrecy because usually when there's an inquest into a worker's death, it's public, it should be in the public domain. And I don't know the reasoning why the government is kind of disveil or guarded secrecy. But I do know that on the other hand, they are taking some of the I don't want to give specific example, but I know that there was an interview conducted about a worker who had been abused verbally and other which way. And they had a very lengthy interview with him. And from what I understood, the worker was very pleased that they were listening to him. And these were people from the provincial labor board. That really wanted to hear his story. So I don't want to always say that the government is doing nothing. No, but it would be nice to hear what are they doing so we can be informed as well. Thank you. Yeah, I was I was pleased to make it on the front page of the Saturday Star. It seems as though there is a lot of interest in in all the work that you are all doing and in this real human rights issue. So I think to make it on the front page of the Saturday Star is really great. Yes, I agree with you, Diane. I did see the article and I did read it. I thought it was a great piece. I think they're asking the right questions. As Peter says, there there could be some reasons about their important confidentiality to the individuals involved, you know, and that would be the only reason for any kind of, you know, not making it public. But I sure hope that some kind of summary report is available that explains what happened and why so that we can learn from it because that's the critical part. So thank you for it was a great article. Thank you. Sorry, just very quickly. I actually shared the article link in the chat for everybody to use. So if you copy it and put it on your clipboard, you can have it for later reading as well. And one thing I am with the COVID-19 many workers get anxiety when they get sick because they don't want to report the sickness to the employer. They want they are afraid to lose the job. And I had to a worker last year in Limington and it was the wives that were in touch with me all the time because the one the wife was worried that he was going to die. But the worker kept telling her, don't call anyone, don't call anyone. So so if a worker calls, please. We what I did is I called the Health Department in Windsor so they will monitor the worker. That's the only thing we can do. And he was fine. But he was he ended up in the hospital. But it's most of the cases is anxiety of losing the job if they get sick, reporting that they have a cold or they have a cough. That's yeah, there's a lot of anxiety. I have another question here from Gabriel's. Do you know if the negative tests that Canada is asking before they take a plane or the hotel quarantine restrictions are affecting the arrival of more migrant workers? I was told by someone that the workers have to have a test seven I think 72 hours before arrival in Canada. And some of them once they get to the airport, test positive. And then they are they they won't be able to board a plane to Canada. So that is affecting they see I think they have a case. So much for you, right? Yeah. Yeah. Tell me that in Mexico, they test if they they test them. Is the is the worker is the positive there? No, I work the plane and they back home. Yeah. Yeah. So some workers are arriving at the airport and and they test positive so they cannot get to Canada. So it's creating a problem. So an updated piece on that, if I can very quickly, is that because there are in certain countries, especially within the Caribbean, a shortage of tests available. What they're doing is they're allowing the workers to arrive. They will be tested upon arrival. They will then be brought to the safe bunkhouse that has been mandated and quarantine there. If their test results do come back positive, public health will contact them and they will have to further quarantine. However, they do have something in place and that's been outlined in regards to that for temporary workers. So the same protocol for regular entry is not applicable to temporary workers for that understanding of what is available for what isn't available. And I'm trying to find if I can find that that documentation that I had received, I will share that in the chat as well. And I have a question from Tara. Does the government impose any regulations and standards on the farms employing migrant workers and are they sufficient? Could there be any legislation that could help you? There are standards. There are certain protocols. The problem is there isn't the follow up. Like, as I said, like, for example, an inspector will come and look at the living condition health inspector. But they'll inspect it when the guys are not there. So it looks like a very clean place. So the difficulty there is how do you enforce it? And I think with COVID, there are taking a little bit more steps. But of course, there's always room for improvement. I just wanted to add some more information around, you know, the question on additional regulations and also in terms of, you know, the strict regulation for incoming workers. As part of, you know, this project, we have this regular consultation or check in with the government bringing to their attention what we're hearing from the ground in terms of the issues, challenges and and urgent, you know, cases. As friends, well, first of all, we've heard of the challenges many migrant workers in their countries of origin are facing with regards to getting, you know, the test 72 hours before they board the flight. Many of these workers are coming from remote villages. So to go to the center to get, you know, the test and also transportation and accommodation and food. This this is very expensive for them. So we brought that attention or issue a problem to the government. And they are working with local governments in, you know, in the countries where the workers are coming from to make sure that, you know, the workers are not paying for this for the cost of this additional requirements. So that is good news. The one this additional restrictions or measures that's coming up, this is going to be effective March 14th. And Francine, I think this is the one that you're referring to. So starting March 14th, all international travelers, especially temporary foreign workers, they are going to be tested upon arrival and will be brought to a government pre-approved quarantine accommodation for three nights until, you know, they get the results from the test they they they took upon arrival. There's also going to be, you know, enhanced airport services to make sure that these workers are supported, particularly around the issue brought up on connectivity, like a cell phone, data connectivity, so that they are able to connect with their families and be able to connect with local, you know, community partners while they are on their 14, 14 days quarantine. So these are being looked at. And we are also sharing this information to partners so that we are all sharing the same and accurate information. With regards to regulations, Father Peter, if you remember, we had this conversation with the farmers and they said they already had lots of regulation in place or they've been, you know, they're being regulated heavily. I think the problem again rests on the ability of the government to to implement and, you know, monitor and make sure that these regulations are being followed up and make sure that, again, the workers that these employers or farmers are, you know, have would have the much needed protection to ensure their health and safety. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that, Connie. And we have a question about which specific government departments you're in consultation with. This is, you know, this is Service Canada or ESDC slash HRSDC. So that's the department that, you know, have a full oversight of the temporary foreign worker program. And that is also the department that we get the funding from. And I have a hand from ADDBT. Hello. Thank you for this webinar. I'm my name is Marie. I'm here on behalf of the Association for the Rights of Household Workers. We work more so in terms of legal and policy. We don't we haven't ever done some groundwork. But as of Monday, we will be applying for a grant which will be which is part of an initiative to help the promotion and exercise of rights of migrant workers in times of COVID. And so it's we don't know if we're going to get it at all. But I was wondering for those of you who have been working on the ground during this time, if you had any any tips and insight, our perspective will be to raise awareness and about their rights and in general and specifically in times of COVID. So if there was any insight as to what we should be focusing on or any any tips or anything like that. Yeah, I can answer that. So what I can do is for the information that we received specifically for Service Canada has made it. I do understand that but does have their own body of government. However, just the understanding of in regards to COVID-19, freedom of movement, there are some publications that I have received that are in English and in French. So that could just as easily be shared with you. I'll just put my email address in the chat so that you could that we could correspond from there. And I'll look into any other further information that would be helpful because it's also a matter of being able to navigate the information that that needs to be shared, but also the understanding of sharing the information that won't become problematic because we do all know the rights. We all do know about freedom of movement. That's against the Charter of Rights. However, also taken into consideration when you're working with operators that are not in conjunction or in alignment with those those freedom of rights, how that can become problematic. And that's the last thing that we want to end up happening. So we can definitely be in contact. I'm just typing in my email right now and we can have a conversation. And we could just correspond in regards to sharing that information. That's the most beneficial to them. I like that question, by the way. I would like I need to go. But before I'm leaving, I will I have a comment for you. You are from Quebec, no? Are you OK? You know, I've seen the situation has two dimensions. One is the rights that they have. They are entitled. And it's always good for workers to know about those rights. The other dimension is how if they have the freedom and the power to exercise those rights. Because if you just provide the rights, it's like giving a person a recipe to cook something. But if you don't provide the kitchen or the stove to cook it, it doesn't matter how many pieces of meat, raw meat, do you give or whatever. Because the person won't be able to do the recipe. So probably something that I will advise you to your organization is to work on those two faults. Is to learn about how do they exercise those rights? Do they have the control and the power to do it? And the rights, per se. Because if the amount of control and power that the worker has, it's very, very little. To know the rights is just one more point of anxiety and stress. Because they know that they should, but they cannot. So that will be my invitation. Something that is interesting, for example, in Ontario, they have the rights to health and health care. And they receive the OHIC card, the health insurance card from Ontario. So they are entitled to health services. But all the health services close at five o'clock. So when they are out of the farm, all the offices that provide health care are closed. So it doesn't matter if they get the card, if they cannot use it because where they have to use it is closed. And so I will invite you to look into those situations because if you provide the workers the information of the rights, but also how to exercise those rights without fear of retaliation, that probably will be a big plus for the workers and for your organization. Anyway, so I have to go. This has been really good. Thank you, Kairos, for organizing this. And so wishing you a good weekend. Thank you. Thank you for your book. Yes. Eduardo included in the chat a document in regards to, from the Ontario Ministry of Labor, about their inspections and the kinds of inspections they're conducting on farms as well. So that is quite useful information as well. I actually wanted to add something. And the irony of everything is that Gabriel Ramirez just actually just posed the question in regards to what I was going to speak on. So for myself and for our team with the diversity of languages that we speak, that increases our ability of communication. Now, the one thing that I'll say is that I'm a person that I feel everybody should always work in teams and work as a consortium. I don't think that one person should ever have these skillsets and not willing to share with others. With that understanding, communication can always be a barrier for differences in whether it's dialects, whether it's the language altogether, whether it's, I mean, there's Portuguese. I mean, it's a matter of what you understand and how you're able to communicate. So one thing that I can put out there for myself is that if there's any language barriers that do come about that are any of the languages that I speak, which I mean, officially it's French. However, Caribbean dialect is another one that not everybody is able to understand sometimes in communication. And also it eases conversation with workers if they're able to communicate more freely knowing that the other person understands them. So if there's anything, I mean, it's always a matter. You can always just reach out to myself. I put my email out there. And that's open to everybody for use. We also do translation of all of our documentation. Everything that's posted on our website is also available in Spanish as well for that same reason, understanding the diversity of Mexican workers that we do have out in Durham region. So if at any time there's any documentation that may have been recently, especially of any sort that needs to be shared with any migrant workers that do speak another language and you need any assistance on that, I'm not a professional translator. However, I read, I speak and I write French as well. So that's not an issue for me. And I think that that's something that altogether we could work on collectively just to enhance our communication skills. I don't have anything else. I mean, it was very rich discussion and a lot of good insights from not just us, the panelists, but other contributors. I did also post my contact email. So again, like Francine said, we're always willing to share and learn. And we're sort of, this is a new chapter I think for us in terms of the program and the service that we're providing. So that's why everything is kind of new in a sense. I mean, there are things that we used to be our ministry or service that we've done before that we're trying to adapt with the pandemic. But definitely this, we just started. So we just started in January and we're not even into the throes of it, think of it yet because many of the workers haven't arrived. But again, thank you Kyros for this webinar and allowing us to share and also learn. And David, I just say, well, I can't hang around for a little while longer. I don't have to do quite yet but I will have to leave around 10 to three. First of all, just a great delight to meet my fellow panelists Francine and Peter. I've been hearing a lot about the great work your organizations are doing, but we had not yet had a chance to meet. And like many who meet in these times of pandemic, we meet over Zoom. So lovely to put names to faces and to hear a little more about what you particularly are focusing on. I think David, the benefits of a webinar like this are self-evident in that the community present clearly has a lot of knowledge and has been sharing that today. And that's been fantastic to see and really appreciate everything that people have put in terms of resources into the chat function. And yes, Kyros is very much concerned about issues like vaccination of the migrant communities. We're concerned about that with respect to all of the communities with whom we work, whether that's the indigenous communities, whether it's our international partners and others around the world. We're trying as best as we can to keep up with rapidly evolving information in this regard, but have no fear we will be advocating to make sure that these vulnerable communities have access to vaccines as quickly as possible. But again, just really delighted to listen in this afternoon and to be a part of this discussion. So thank you. Thank you. And we're seeing quite a few great resources being put into the chat at the moment. Um, Connie, I'm wondering if you wanted to speak as we sort of head into our closing as well. Thank you. Thank you very much, David. And thank you to everyone who joined the webinar today and to our community partners who are doing great work, and really reaching out and providing, you know, that support and welcome to our brothers and sisters who are coming here for this. I echo what Lori said in terms of, you know, this webinar being a platform for sharing information, getting educated and so forth, but I want to add that this should also be a platform for action. So you're not off the hook yet. Like, I would really, you know, want everyone to get engaged, you know. Like we, the Kairos website, particularly the migrant justice web page in empowering temporary foreign workers would have the list of our partners on the ground. And we encourage you to connect with, you know, with those partners, with our partners in wherever location you are at. So, you know, not only learning things through webinars or online, but also being informed hands on. I know that the, you know, the COVID restrictions are still in place, but there's other ways of being able to do that. The welcome bags are very, very essential in terms of providing, you know, the immediate personal protective products and tools to protect workers and other essential, you know, items or you call it treats. So if you can provide some donation, if you can drop off some of these materials or products to the centers, that would be very, very much welcome. We also don't want to forget about our advocacy work. Already mentioned, you know, advocating for the workers to get vaccinated is very important. They are part of the frontline, you know, the sector of frontline workers. And we also don't want to forget about our, you know, advocacy for permanent residency. Problems that we've seen in the past and continues to see. Primarily it's because of the status of the workers. Not all workers might want to become permanent residency, permanent residence, but they have to have that option. And there should be pathways, you know, available for them to become permanent residents. So I mean, I want you to, I want to encourage you to participate, get active and get engaged. That's my parting words. Thank you so much. And we look forward to having you again at the next webinar. Thank you so much for that. Thank you very much. Thank you. And I want to say thank you for Akairos for sitting up the center. And this is a, it is very important for migrant workers to have a place to say to call home. And that was very, they are very happy. I'm sending the workers the flyers and they are really happy and they are eager to come and see the office. And I think this is an excellent opportunity for them to have a place to come and talk to the families on WhatsApp because sometimes you see them on the street, trying to communicate. Sometimes in October, November, when it's really cold, they are like by a window, trying to get on WhatsApp, use Wi-Fi. So this is really important to have this office for the workers. So thank you very much. Thanks so much, Fanny. Thank you. I was told that you can save the entirety of the chat if you're looking to collect those resources. So if you click on file, you can save it to a variety of places. And there are quite a few excellent resources in the chat, so I encourage you to do that. Our next webinar is going to be on March 9th. We're still in development of that workshop, but a number of topics that we're looking forward to presenting are mental health tips for migrant workers or how best to support mental health of temporary foreign workers, as well as what exactly the process is at the moment in terms of arriving in Canada and sort of updating that process so that we are keeping ahead of the changes as they come. I would like to once again thank Lori, Peter, and Francine for presenting and all of the knowledge from everyone engaged in this discussion. I've learned quite a bit and it sounds like everybody else has as well. So thank you very much. I had just a question, I just put my hand up. I didn't actually see who was speaking to the current process with Caribbean workers who were being able to arrive in Canada without COVID testing. And whoever that was that was speaking to that, as I said, I didn't actually see the name, said that they were going to perhaps provide some communication around that. That they had received. But anyway, I just wanted to know how widespread that practice was. So that was myself, Francine first. So I had message in the chat and I'm just realizing it went to all and didn't go directly to you. So I had put my email address in the chat. Just re-send the message to you and if you could just send me a quick email and as soon as I find it, I could make sure that I share it to you. Okay, that's great, great Francine. Thank you. The chat's pretty busy, but I'll look at it. Yeah, that is true. That is true. So I'm just trying to find that for you. Hello, it's good to see everybody for someone who's been involved in this work for the last 20 years. This is amazing to see this many people from so far across Ontario and across Canada gathered working on a common cause. I see Tom Sager, who I've known for years. We used to meet in Toronto at the award dinners. Fanny, who has been around forever. Guadalupe is sitting in the back and Daisy is behind Fanny. Eduardo was on for a bit. Alfredo Barahonia. Next time, we'll ask him to bring his guitar. It's amazing to see. So many people, so dedicated. I recall that you sang at, it was a mass in St. Bernard's, where you sang and it was just amazing. Hello Eduardo. What is all this growth on your chin, buddy? I know, it's been a few years, I think, when I knew. Bonnie and Bob Drago, my goodness, Gracie. You people have been around forever. Yep. It's wonderful. And Michelle. Yeah. Hello, Michelle. Hi. Hi, Herman. Hi, Miss. Hi, Nancy. Great to see you all. Yeah. So good luck and God bless and. See you. We are truly doing God's work. Just for everyone's information, this is the Simcoe Group. The Simcoe Group, no, it's not. Like, you know, Simcoe, Brandt, Linden and Burford. Yeah, so they know each other and it's so, you know, each other and so nice to, you know, to be connected to all of you. Yeah. I mean, you know, having that center set up, not only provides a space for the workers, but also for advocates, you know, my car, so it's it's great. And everybody is more than welcome to come and visit us. And we are located at 37 Kent Street South. So I'm just going to send a message with the address. So you guys are more than welcome to come over here. And answer the office. It's really nice. But I would like actually to say that if not for the COVID restrictions, we, you know, we need help tomorrow. We're going to be going to the center and stuffing the welcome bags. The the the the products, you know, that we want to put in in the bag. We're delivered, but delivered already. And so tomorrow we're going to the bags. And if not because of COVID, we would welcome you to come to the center and help us. Just want to repeat what Herman said. It's great to see so many good familiar faces, but it's also great to see so many other new faces all across the country. So this is the work that you guys have been doing for many years. So you can see the fruits and the results of the seeds that you've been planted. And we can all feel good that this is going to continue. So thank you so much. And I really look forward to seeing you in March. Very good. Closing closing comments. The lovely lady sitting alongside of me is my wife, Barbara. We got married last year, January. And she is a veteran of social justice. Kairos, development and peace, Catholic women's and happy to have her with me. Hello, Tom. Hi, Tom. Nice to see you, Tom Sager. We go way back to. Thank you, Barbara. Nice to see you, too. OK, we'll say our goodbyes and we'll meet again in March. All right, everybody, take care. Nice to see everybody. Right. Take care, Barbara. Thank you so much. Bye, everyone. Take care.