Submission ID 131693
| Issue/Objective | Temporary migrant workers (TMWs) play a critical role in agri‑food systems worldwide, yet their own access to adequate food remains largely invisible in research and policy. In 2023, approximately 147,000 TMWs were employed in Canada's agri‑food system, reflecting broader global reliance on circular and temporary migrant labour. This study examines how migration trajectories shape food insecurity among TMWs, using Québec's agriculture and food manufacturing sectors as a case study with relevance for global food systems. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The research was co‑developed in partnership with community organizations working alongside TMWs. Quantitative data were collected through an interviewer‑administered survey with 283 TMWs, documenting sociodemographic characteristics, migration trajectories (e.g., number of stays, cumulative years worked in Canada), and food insecurity status, operationalized as a dichotomous variable based on the Household Food Security Survey Module. |
| Results | Preliminary quantitative results reveal a high prevalence of food insecurity, affecting 66.4% of agricultural TMWs and 41.9% of food manufacturing TMWs, far exceeding prevalence observed in the general population. Migration trajectories were often circular and repetitive, with participants reporting between 1 and 22 stays, and cumulative durations ranging from 1 month to over 12.3 years. Bivariate analyses indicated that a greater number of stays (p=0.011), and more years spent in Canada (p<0.001) were significantly associated with food insecurity. Multivariable logistic regression models demonstrate that employment sector acts as a key structural determinant. Agricultural TMWs had 2.74 higher odds of experiencing food insecurity compared to those employed in food manufacturing (OR = 2.74, p<0.001). Notably, after adjustment for sector, each additional stay was associated with a 13% increase in the odds of food insecurity (OR = 1.13, p=0.030), and each additional year spent in Canada with 16% increase (OR = 1.16, p=0.005). These findings suggest that food insecurity among TMWs reflects a cumulative life‑course process, shaped by circular, repeated migration under restrictive labour and migration policies. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | By empirically documenting food insecurity among TMWs, this study contributes to global discussions on the right to food, migration governance, and the sustainability of global food systems, highlighting the need to address food insecurity among essential workers who produce food. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Alexandra Otis École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal Théa Demmers École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal Lara Gautier École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal Rosanne Blanchet École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal |
