Statement by the NDP on the video testimonial of deceased foreign worker, Ivan Guerrero

In the wake of a video testimonial from Ivan Guerrero, a temporary foreign worker who accidentally drowned at a Quebec farm in May, NDP Employment and Social Development Jinny Sims (Newton—New Delta) made the following statement:

“I was heartbroken to read the video transcript released by Radio-Canada, in which Mr. Guerrero describes his time as a vegetable picker here in Canada. To hear that this man felt like he was someone’s dog, and then to know he died as a result of an attempt to complete work outside of his job description, illustrates the great potential for abuse that exists within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

“Despite repeated claims that they will fix and improve the program, the Conservative government has done nothing to protect workers from exploitation and abuse at the hands of employers.

“Conservatives refuse to hear the message: this program is broken.Canadians are being overlooked for jobs in favour of temporary labour, temporary foreign workers are being mistreated, and now, a worker has died because there weren’t adequate safeguards in placeto protect him, or those like him. Until Conservatives step up and work with the provinces to protect workers from substandard working conditions, inhumane living conditions, unfair hours, and meager wages, we risk this kind of tragedy happening again.

“I would like to extend my very deepest condolences to Mr. Guerrero’s family – especially his wife and two children. I hope that this video, and Mr. Guerrero’s tragic death, will finally spur desperately needed changes to ensure the safety of temporary workers in this country. I would like his wife and children to know that at the very least he did not die in vain.”