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Preventing Labour Exploitation Through Outreach and Education

  • 12 hours ago
  • 2 min read
The Mary Ward Centre’s work with migrant workers is closely connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 1: No Poverty, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. These goals reinforce the importance of protecting migrant workers’ rights, promoting safe and fair working conditions, reducing inequalities, and improving access to essential health and social supports.

Preventing labour exploitation is part of preventing human trafficking; for this reason, the Mary Ward Centre carried out two main activities in July and August targeting migrant workers in the construction and agricultural sectors.


1. Street outreach targeted construction workers who gather every morning looking for work, waiting for a truck to pick them up for a day’s work in demolition, roofing, construction, and other tasks. Yes, they perform legal and necessary work that Canada needs, but often without a contract or legal benefits, and they earn less than other workers.


We also want to thank our partners—the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Mennonite New Life Centre, Black Creek Community Health Centre (Jane & Wilson), and “Ya Estoy Aquí” Health Collective—for accepting our invitation to jointly carry out an awareness campaign on July 23, during which workers received healthcare services and were offered the opportunity to sign up for family doctor services.



  • Street outreach targeted construction workers 01
  • Street outreach targeted construction workers - health
  • Street outreach targeted construction workers - Prevention
  • Street outreach targeted construction workers - Partners

Following the outreach, we held an online information session about migrant workers’ rights in Ontario on July 28, 2026.


2. Farmworker outreach. Once again, we enjoyed the soccer tournament in St. Catharines organized by ENLACE, with the participation of farmworkers from St. Catharines and the Niagara Region. We offered information about seasonal agricultural workers’ rights, bicycle safety kits, and food and personal hygiene donations from TCDSB students.


Following the outreach, we held an online information session about taxes for seasonal agricultural workers on August 11, 2026.


  • Farmworker outreach. Once again, we enjoyed the soccer tournament
  • Farmworker outreach. St. Catharines organized by ENLAC


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