Better Together – Supporting Temporary Foreign Workers
The Better Together program is about providing migrant workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island with accurate information, support, and access to available services.
The program aims to empower migrant workers to learn about and exercise their rights in Canada. The funding for this program comes from the Government of Canada’s Migrant Worker Support Program and is intended to serve the best interests of migrant workers in these provinces.
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.
Timeline Overview
October – November 2022
- Mapping of migrant workers and gap analysis of services provided to them.
- In-person meetings with key stakeholders to gather information and share expertise on rights-based support for migrant workers.
December 2022
- Presentation of research findings and conclusions on mapping and gap analysis.
- Signature of an agreement with 4 organizations previously funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.
January 2023
- Launch of a call for proposals to fund 4 to 6 projects from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
- Ongoing projects implemented by stakeholders of transitional funding sub-agreements.
February 2023
- Selection of successful organizations.
- Ongoing projects implemented by holders of transitional funding sub-agreements.
March 2023
- Closure of projects implemented by sub-agreement holders under transitional funding.
April 2023 – March 2024
- Implementation of project activities.
- Monitoring meetings with sub-agreement holders to share progress, challenges and lessons learned.
- Field visits to sub-agreement holders to provide support and monitor projects.
- Agreements signed with 4 pre-existing and 3 new partners.
March 2024
- Knowledge-sharing event to provide feedback on overall project success, discuss challenges and lessons learned and share success stories.
- Project evaluation.
April 2024
- Extension of 6 sub-agreement holders projects: Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre, Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association, PEI Community Navigators and Cooper Institute
June 2024
- Development of an interactive service map of SPOs and services provided to migrant workers in the Maritime provinces
April – December 2024
- Helplines and information sessions for migrant workers to access labour rights, health and safety information, and community resources.
- Guidance and support with complaints, applications, and accessing various services such as health, housing, and legal assistance.
- Community engagement through pop-up support services, events, workshops, and training sessions.
- Advocacy efforts including representation in government committees and the establishment of a sanctuary network to address service gaps.
August – December 2024
- On-site visits to sub-agreement holder locations to provide support and monitor projects.
- A half-day knowledge-sharing virtual event in December 2024 to discuss the findings of the information gathered and lessons learned and provide feedback on the overall project.
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.
Useful Resources
Report
Gap Analysis – Information and other services provided to migrant workers in the Maritimes
Guide
Temporary Foreign Workers: Your rights are protected
A guide by Employment and Social Development Canada, available in 9 languages.
Report
Falling Short: Troubles with the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program in Nova Scotia
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
