Migrant farmworkers in British Columbia

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Introduction: History of Farmwork in British Columbia

Farmwork in British Columbia has a long and complex history, shaped by diverse communities and changing government policies. Before European settlement, Indigenous peoples practiced various forms of agriculture and resource management, using the region's abundant forests, fisheries, and fertile land for food and materials. As colonial settlement expanded in the 1800s, farming became increasingly commercial. Early European and Euro-Canadian settlers established ranches, orchards, and grain farms, relying on available workers: first Indigenous peoples, then newcomers from Asia and Europe.

By the early 1900s, BC's farming economy was thriving, with high demand for workers in fruit orchards, berry fields, canneries, and other agricultural operations. This growth in production occurred alongside increasingly restrictive laws targeting certain groups of Asian immigrants, creating labour shortages that farm owners needed to address. Indian migrants, mainly from the Punjab region of North India, came to play a crucial role in meeting these labour needs. Their arrival brought both economic benefits and social tensions, as existing communities struggled to adapt to BC's rapidly changing population.

British Columbia: Key Facts

• Capital: Victoria
• Largest city: Vancouver (2.6 million, metro area)
• Population: 5.7 million (2025)
• Official language: English (French minority rights protected)
• Legislature: 87 seats (unicameral)
• Key industries: natural resources, tech, film, tourism
• GDP per capita: 53K CAD
• Confederation: 1871 (7th)

Indian Migrant Workers in British Columbia: Early 1900s

In the early 1900s, Indian migrant workers, mostly Sikhs from Punjab, began settling in British Columbia, drawn by employment opportunities on farms and in mills and canneries. British Columbia industries sought alternatives to Chinese labour after a series of legal restrictions made Chinese immigration more difficult. Because Indians were subjects of the British Empire, they could technically move freely to other imperial territories, making them attractive to employers.

Initially, only around 100 Indians lived in BC, but by 1907 their population had surged to about 4,700. This dramatic growth triggered anxiety among some European settlers who feared increased competition for jobs. Anti-Asian sentiment in the province, already heightened by tensions involving Chinese and Japanese communities, quickly extended to Indian migrants. In response, the Canadian government introduced the Continuous Journey Regulation in 1908, which required prospective immigrants to travel directly from India to Canada, a route that did not exist at the time. This regulation effectively stopped most Indian immigration.

Although Indians were British subjects, they were not spared discriminatory measures. In 1909, they lost the right to vote in provincial elections, removing a vital avenue for civic participation and seeking redress. Like their Chinese and Japanese counterparts, Indian migrants faced poor working conditions and low wages, typically performing strenuous labour that others were unwilling to undertake. The onset of World War II and the subsequent shift in global attitudes toward race and empire eventually set the stage for gradually dismantling these exclusionary policies.

Indian Migrant Workers in Canada: After 1947

A turning point occurred with the passage of the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947, which ended formal discrimination against many non-European immigrants. Indian immigration to British Columbia began to rise significantly, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. Punjabi families established themselves in the fertile Fraser Valley, using their deep agricultural knowledge to grow berries, vegetables, and other produce. They often organized farm work around family networks, pooling labour and resources to manage planting, harvesting, and food processing.

Women played a crucial role in this labour structure, working long hours in the fields while also caring for children and elders at home. However, the contract labour system introduced new challenges. Some contractors exploited workers by imposing hidden fees or deceptive wage agreements. Farmworkers often found themselves in substandard housing, converted garages or outbuildings that lacked basic amenities. Language barriers and limited familiarity with Canadian labour laws made these hardships worse, leaving many workers uncertain about how to advocate for safer conditions or fair pay.

Despite these challenges, Indian migrant communities showed remarkable resilience. They built gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) and formed cultural associations that became central to community life. These institutions provided religious, social, and practical support, helping newcomers navigate employment, education, and legal matters. Over time, Indian migrants became essential to British Columbia's agricultural economy, ensuring a stable supply of locally grown foods that met the province's growing demand.

Canadian Farmworkers Union

By the late 1970s, poor working conditions and inadequate legal protections for farm labourers prompted a need for collective advocacy. Many of these workers were Indian immigrants who faced additional barriers to workplace safety and fair treatment. On February 26, 1979, eight activists formed the Farmworkers Organizing Committee (FWOC) to address these issues.

Building on the FWOC's groundwork, the Canadian Farmworkers Union (CFU) was officially established on April 6, 1980. It became the first union in Canada dedicated exclusively to representing farmworkers.

The CFU sought to advocate for labourers who were often scattered across rural areas and faced both language barriers and systemic discrimination. The union campaigned for fair wages, safer working conditions, and improved access to workers' compensation. It also tackled challenges that particularly affected women farmworkers, including the risk of workplace harassment.

Others: Temporary Farmworkers in BC

While Indian migrants have profoundly shaped BC's agricultural landscape, they are not the only group contributing to the province's farm labour force. Beginning in the 1960s, Canada introduced programs to recruit temporary workers from the Caribbean, Mexico, and other regions to meet farms' labour needs. Over time, programs such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and other Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) initiatives became essential to maintaining the province's production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops.

Many temporary farmworkers in BC today arrive under fixed-term contracts, often returning season after season to the same farms. Despite standardized agreements and government oversight, these workers still face significant challenges, including poor housing, long work hours, and limited protections when disputes arise. Language barriers and cultural differences can worsen these vulnerabilities, echoing the early experiences of Indian migrant workers.

Advocacy groups and community organizations have emerged to support temporary workers by providing legal assistance, healthcare outreach, and social services. Like the Indian farmworkers of the past, these newer migrant labour groups are building their own community networks and cultural practices while adapting to BC's evolving agricultural economy.

Conclusion: Farmwork in BC in the 2020s

Farmwork in British Columbia today reflects the tensions of a rapidly changing industry. Rising costs for everything from fuel to equipment have squeezed profit margins, while finding enough workers remains a persistent challenge across the sector.

Indian migrants and their descendants continue to play a leading role, with many moving from hired labourers to farm owners, entrepreneurs, and influential community figures. At the same time, new waves of temporary foreign workers from Mexico, the Caribbean, and other regions help address labour needs, though recruitment and retention remain ongoing concerns.

The industry is increasingly turning to technology as both labour costs rise and workers become harder to find. Automation in harvesting, robotic systems for specialized crops, and precision agriculture tools are becoming more common on BC farms. However, these technological advances also raise questions about what new skills agricultural workers will need as the industry continues to evolve amid these economic pressures.

Video

A look into the unionization efforts of migrant farm workers in British Columbia, Canada [39m 47s]

The documentary covers the challenging lives of agricultural workers and their struggle to organize for better pay and working conditions in British Columbia, Canada. It highlights the formation of the Canadian Farmworkers' Union (CFU) as workers fought against exploitation by farm owners and contractors. The narrative follows their efforts to establish collective bargaining rights despite facing resistance.

Discussion

1. As farming becomes more automated and data-driven, how might the roles and experiences of migrant farmworkers evolve? What skills do you think will become essential in the future? Does technological advancement in farming represents progress or poses new challenges for migrant communities? Consider both the potential benefits (reduced physical labour, new skills) and risks (job displacement, changing community structures).

2. The text describes how BC farmers turned to Indian migrants when Chinese immigration became restricted, and later to temporary foreign workers from other regions. What does this pattern of labour substitution reveal about the relationship between immigration policy, economic needs, and worker vulnerability? How might these dynamics continue to shape agricultural labour today?

3. Indian migrants were British subjects who could technically move freely within the empire, yet faced the Continuous Journey Regulation and loss of voting rights. Analyze this contradiction, what does it suggest about how citizenship, race, and belonging functioned within the British Empire? How do similar contradictions appear in contemporary immigration systems?

Critical Thinking

1. The text notes that Indian immigrants progressed from hired labourers to farm owners and influential community figures. From a critical perspective, what specific economic, social, or political factors in British Columbia and Canada facilitated this upward mobility for some individuals and communities? Conversely, what evidence suggests that not all individuals experienced this same trajectory, and what might have been the barriers for those who did not? Examine the provided text for clues about what specific circumstances or skills (e.g., agricultural knowledge, family networks) contributed to this change in status.

2. The Canadian Farmworkers Union was founded in 1980 to address poor conditions, yet the text notes that temporary foreign workers today still face similar challenges. What factors outside of union advocacy might explain the persistence of these issues?

Further Investigation

1. The Economics of Food Systems: Investigate the economic relationships between labour costs, food prices, and consumer behavior in BC's agricultural system. How do low wages for farmworkers connect to affordable food for consumers? Research alternative models (cooperative farming, fair trade, direct-to-consumer sales) and evaluate their potential to address labour issues while maintaining food accessibility.

2. Alternative Narratives: Most historical accounts of agriculture focus on production, technology, or policy. Create a counter-narrative that centers the experiences, agency, and perspectives of migrant workers themselves. How might the story of BC agriculture look different if told from the ground up? What sources, methodologies, and frameworks would be needed to construct such a narrative?

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