Temporary Foreign Workers

As a migrant worker in Waterloo Region, you are an important member of our community and local economy. You are protected under Canadian labour laws, just like other workers.

You have the right to:

Be paid fairly and on time
Work in safe and healthy conditions
Keep your passport and personal documents
Ask for help if you experience unsafe or unfair treatment

Learn more about your workplace rights in Ontario on our Workers’ Rights page

If you need support, consider speaking with your employer first. Local organizations across Waterloo Region are also available to provide information, resources, and assistance.

Resources for Temporary Foreign Workers

These resources are designed for international temporary migrants, including people living in Canada with work permits, study permits, or other forms of temporary status.

Advocates

Organization	Description
Justicia for Migrant Workers	Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW) is a volunteer-run political collective comprising people from diverse walks of life, including migrant workers, labour organizers, educators, researchers, students and racialized youth based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Migrant Workers Alliance for Care	Member-led organization of migrant farmworkers, care workers, students and more to win worker and immigration justice.

Community support

Organization	Description
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre	Translation and interpretation services, refugee services, youth groups, settlement and career services, childcare services.
Rhythm and Blues	Community engagement for youth, that will inspire participants to gravitate towards positive mental health outcomes.
Unknown Neighbours	Access to emergency support and services including health care, protective measures, and equipment.
YMCA of Three Rivers	Multiple services for newcomers, regardless of status in Canada around employment, language assessment, cultural and community programs.

Housing

Organization	Description
Starling Community Services	Housing advisors can assist self-directed housing search by offering strategies, advice and resources to help find housing within a budget. They also support vulnerable groups and help find emergency shelters.

Healthcare

Organization	Description
911	Call in case of medical emergency
Cambridge Memorial Hospital	Provide different types of medical and hospital services
Health 811	Get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse
Public Health neighbourhood bus	Provides residents with easy access to vaccines, close to home. The bus is available from the spring through the fall.
Public Health neighbourhood nursing	Provide help with your health care needs and connect you to community supports, especially if you face barriers to care.
Waterloo Regional Health Network	Provide different types of medical and hospital services.
Woolwich Community Health Centre	Provide primary health care, mental health counseling, physiotherapy, and others

Language

Organization	Description
Kitchener Public Library	Offers English conversation circles at all levels.
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre	Practice English one-on-one for 1-2 hours per week with a volunteer.
St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centre	Free ESL classes, also online classes and a class dedicated to English for work.
YMCA of Three Rivers	Language assessment services and conversation circles.

Legal support

Organization	Description
Legal Aid Ontario	Provides services around criminal legal issues, domestic violence, family legal issues, mental health legal issues, refugee and immigration legal issues.
Waterloo Region Community Legal Services	Provides free legal information, advice and representation for low-income migrant workers in immigration and employment law as well as housing and social assistance law.

Situations of abuse or violence

Organization	Description	Phone number
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region	Provide family court support, individual counseling, support groups and workshops	519-571-0121

In case of human trafficking call 1-833-900-1010

Workplace safety

Report an unsafe workplace

If you have concerns about workplace health and safety, call 1-877-202-0008 for assistance or to report an unsafe workplace. The service is free.

Organization	Description
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc (OHCOW)	Information and support regarding health and workplace security.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)	In case of injury or harm in the workplace or while working
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services	Not-for-profit organization offering health and safety expertise and resources to protect Ontario workers and businesses.