Migrant farmworkers in British Columbia
Introduction: History of Farmwork in British Columbia
Farmwork in British Columbia has a long and multifaceted history, shaped by diverse communities and evolving government policies. Before European settlement, Indigenous peoples engaged in varied forms of agriculture and resource management, relying on the region's abundant forests, fisheries, and arable land for sustenance. As colonial settlement expanded in the 1800s, farming became increasingly commercialized. Early Euro-Canadian immigrants established ranches, orchards, and cereal farms, often relying on whatever labour was available—initially Indigenous peoples, followed by newcomers from Asia and Europe.
By the early 1900s, BC's farming economy was booming, with a particular demand for labour in fruit orchards, berry fields, canneries, and other agricultural ventures. This surge in production coincided with increasingly restrictive laws against certain groups of Asian immigrants, creating labour gaps that farm owners needed to fill. Indian migrants—predominantly from the Punjab region of North India—would come to play a critical role in meeting these labour demands. Their arrival set in motion both economic contributions and social tensions, as the existing populace struggled to adjust to BC's rapidly changing demographic landscape.
Key Facts
• Capital: Victoria• Largest city: Vancouver (2.6 million, metro area)
• Population: 5.7 million (2025, Q1 estimate)
• GDP per capita: 53K CAD
• Confederation: 1871 (7th)
Indian 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 in farms, 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 were technically free to move to other imperial territories, making them attractive hires for employers.
Initially, there were only around 100 Indians in BC, but by 1907 their population had surged to about 4,700. This dramatic growth triggered anxieties among some European settlers who feared increased competition for jobs. Anti-Asian sentiment in the province, already heightened due to 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 would-be immigrants to travel directly from India to Canada—a route that did not exist at the time, effectively stopping most Indian immigration.
Although Indians were British subjects, they were not spared from discriminatory measures. In 1909, they lost the right to vote in provincial elections, removing a vital avenue for civic participation and redress. Much like their Chinese and Japanese counterparts, Indian migrants faced poor working conditions and low wages, typically performing strenuous labour 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 a gradual dismantling of 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 BC began to rise significantly, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. Punjabi families established themselves in the fertile Fraser Valley, leveraging their deep agricultural knowledge to grow berries, vegetables, and other produce. Often, they 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 lacking basic amenities. Language barriers and limited familiarity with Canadian labour laws added to these hardships, leaving many uncertain about how to advocate for safer conditions or fair pay.
In spite of these challenges, Indian migrant communities displayed resilience. They built gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) and formed cultural associations that became central to community life. These institutions provided religious, social, and informational support, helping newcomers navigate employment, education, and legal matters. Over time, Indian migrants became integral to BC's agricultural economy, ensuring a stable supply of locally grown foods that fueled the province's increasing demand.
Canadian Farmworkers Union
By the late 1970s, concerns about working conditions and legal protections for farm labourers, including many Indian immigrants, prompted a need for collective advocacy. On February 26, 1979, eight activists formed the Farmworkers Organizing Committee (FWOC) to highlight these issues. Building on the FWOC's efforts, the Canadian Farmworkers Union (CFU) was officially established on April 6, 1980, becoming the first union in Canada focused exclusively on farmworkers.
The CFU aimed to represent labourers—often dispersed across rural areas and facing linguistic and systemic barriers—by campaigning for equitable wages, safer work environments, and greater access to workers' compensation. The union also addressed challenges specific to women farmworkers, including the risk of workplace harassment.
Others: Temporary Farmworkers in British Columbia
While the experiences of Indian migrants have profoundly shaped BC's agricultural landscape, they are not the only group contributing to the province's farm labor force. Beginning in the 1960s, Canada introduced various programs to recruit temporary workers from the Caribbean, Mexico, and other regions to meet the labour needs of farms. Over time, programs such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and other Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) initiatives became central to maintaining the province's production of fruits, vegetables, and other commodities.
Many temporary farmworkers in BC today arrive under fixed-term contracts, often returning season after season to the same farms. Despite standardized agreements and governmental oversight, these workers can still face significant challenges, including inadequate housing, long work hours, and limited protections when disputes arise. Language barriers and cultural differences sometimes exacerbate vulnerabilities, similar to the early experiences of Indian migrant workers.
Advocacy groups and community-based organizations have emerged to support temporary workers, providing legal assistance, healthcare outreach, and social services. Much like the Indian farmworkers' experiences of the past, these new migrant labour groups are forging their own community networks and cultural practices while trying to adapt to BC's evolving agricultural economy.
Conclusion: Farmwork in BC in the 2020s
Entering the 2020s, farmwork in British Columbia stands at a crossroads of technological innovation, policy reform, and demographic change. Indian migrants and their descendants continue to play a leading role, with many transitioning from hired hands to farm owners, entrepreneurs, and influential community figures. At the same time, new waves of temporary foreign workers—from Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond—help meet labour demands in an increasingly competitive global market. Meanwhile, technological advances, such as automation in harvesting and data-driven crop management, have the potential to reduce the intensity of manual labour but also raise questions about the evolving skill sets needed in agriculture.
Some Questions to Think About
In what ways do local community networks—such as religious or cultural associations—help newcomers adapt to unfamiliar working environments? What can we learn from these networks about building supportive spaces today?
How did the family-centered labour model used by Indian migrant workers shape the growth of agriculture in the Fraser Valley? Can you see parallels in other regions or industries?
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?
Migrant workers in BC today come from Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond. How does this variety of cultural backgrounds contribute to the province's agricultural identity? In what ways does it also create unique challenges?
From economic policy to social connections, the story of migrant farmworkers touches on multiple facets of society. What new questions or avenues for exploration come to mind when you consider these overlapping influences?
Imagine the BC agricultural sector in 20 years. Which insights from both historical and current migrant labour experiences do you think will remain most relevant for shaping its future?
Last updated: Spring 2025