The event marked 20 years of community support programs serving the region's seasonal agricultural workforce.
The agricultural industry took centre stage in Leamington on September 13, 2026, as the Festival of Guest Nations celebrated the contributions migrant workers make to farms, greenhouses, and food production across Essex County and Ontario.
Held at Seacliff Park, the event brought together migrant workers, agricultural organizations, community groups, government representatives, and local residents. While the festival featured cultural performances, music, and food, organizers also used the occasion to recognize the workers who help sustain one of Canada's most productive horticultural regions.
According to the Migrant Worker Community Program (MWCP), approximately 20,000 migrant workers come to Essex County each year, providing labour for farms and greenhouse operations that are critical to the region's economy and food production.
The event coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Migrant Worker Community Program, a Leamington-based charitable organization that supports migrant workers through outreach, interpretation services, educational programs, health resources, and community engagement opportunities. The organization reported supporting approximately 5,000 workers and engaging with more than 200 farms during the past year.
Agricultural leaders attending the event emphasized the importance of migrant labour to Ontario's agri-food sector.
“The Festival of Guest Nations is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the individuals whose hard work and dedication help make Ontario's agricultural success possible. We are grateful for the contributions they make to our farms, our economy, and our communities, and we thank them for the sacrifices they make while working away from home," stated Richard Lee, Executive Director, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.
Elected officials also pointed to the sector's reliance on migrant workers and the role support organizations play in helping them succeed while working in Canada.
“For the past two decades, the Migrant Worker Community Program (MWCP) has made a lasting, meaningful difference in the lives of the people who help put fresh, local food on our tables and protect Ontario’s agri-food sector,” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington and Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Beyond the celebration, the festival included an information day that connected workers with representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, Leamington Fire Services, the Consulate of Mexico in Leamington, healthcare providers, mental health organizations, and settlement agencies. Organizers said the initiative helps workers access information and services while strengthening ties between the agricultural workforce and the broader community.
For greenhouse vegetable growers, fruit producers, and other agricultural employers throughout southwestern Ontario, migrant workers remain an essential part of the workforce. The festival served as both a cultural celebration and a recognition of the labour that supports crop production, local businesses, and the region's agricultural economy.
As the Migrant Worker Community Program enters its third decade, organizers said they will continue working with farms, workers, and community partners to promote access to resources and strengthen connections within one of Ontario's most important agricultural regions.