Better Together – Supporting Temporary Foreign Workers
The Better Together program aims to empower migrant workers to learn and exercise their rights in Canada.The funding for this program comes from the Government of Canada’s Migrant Worker Support Program (MWSP) and is intended to serve the best interests of migrant workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
ARAISA has partnered with six sub-agreement holders to support migrant workers in the three Maritime provinces with information to learn about their rights, support to exercise their rights and access to services. The program started in October 2022 and will continue until March 2026.
Specific Objectives
- Increase migrant workers’ awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities through educational activities and/or educational material;
- Empower migrant workers to exercise their rights by providing or assisting in accessing available services;
- Foster inclusion and a welcoming environment for migrant workers through social, cultural, and/or recreational events;
- Support migrant workers during emergencies on a case-by-case basis;
- Foster new partnerships or leverage existing partnerships/networks to support migrant workers;
- Develop and implement coordinated approaches among community organizations and/or build their capacity and knowledge to provide resources and services to migrant workers.
Temporary Foreign Workers in the Maritimes in 2021-2022
This map shows the location of approved Temporary Foreign Worker positions in the Maritimes from July 2021 to June 2022, according to Employment and Social Development Canada data on Labour Market Impact Assessments.
Resources
Report
Gap Analysis – Information and other services provided to migrant workers in the Maritimes
Report
Permanent Jobs, Temporary People: Temporary Foreign Workers’ Struggle for Permanent Residency in Prince Edward Island
Report
Ensuring Housing Rights for Migrants in New Brunswick
Report
Falling Short: Troubles with the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program in Nova Scotia
Report
Unfree Labour: COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
in the Seafood Industry in New Brunswick
Resources for migrant workers
Guide
Temporary Foreign Workers: Your rights are protected
A guide by Employment and Social Development Canada, available in 9 languages.
Website
Open work permit for vulnerable foreign workers who are victims of abuse
Website
Reporting abuse
Activities
The program team is quite active on the ground too, visiting partners and participating in various events.
Cooper Institute
December 2024
Workers Forum
November 2024
Hola New Brunswick
November 2024
Consultation Day
September 2024
Partners
Our partners provide services and support to migrant workers across NS, NB, and PEI. For any assistance or information, please get in touch with the organizations in your area.
Nova Scotia
The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth
Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre
The Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association
Prince Edward Island
Cooper Institute
PEI Community Navigators
Any questions about the Better Together program? Contact us at mwsp@araisa.ca
