Seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico and the Caribbean begin arriving in Ontario to work at greenhouses as early as January, but at this time of year many more farm workers are dotting the local landscape as fruit and vegetable crops begin to flourish in the area.

Workers in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) can stay a maximum of eight months, said Copetown area farmer Ken Forth, who is president of F.A.R.M.S. (Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services), a non-profit, Mississauga-based federal corporation that administers the program. During that time, they provide Ontario farmers with a steady source of reliable labour as a supplement for local labour. “At the same time, it gives the seasonal workers well-paying employment, benefits and educational opportunities not available at home,” said Forth.

It’s estimated more than 15,000 seasonal workers will return to Ontario farms this year. While here, they earn wages five times greater than in their home countries. Workers in Ontario are the highest-paid agricultural workers in North America, Ford said, explaining that those employed through SAWP sign contracts guaranteeing them all the benefits that Canadian workers receive, including WSIB (Workers Safety Insurance Board) protection, certain Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and provincial health care coverage.

One of the major benefits of the program for farmers is the opportunity to remain viable in the face of a lack of suitable domestic workers to do the farm work. “Most Canadians don’t want to work seasonal,” which accounts for the shortage of labour available for farm work, Forth explained.

“Without this program, many Ontario farmers simply couldn’t continue to grow fruits and vegetables. They’d stop growing altogether or move into less labour-intensive crops,” he said.

F.A.R.M.S. estimates that two Canadian jobs are created in the agri-food industry for every seasonal agricultural worker employed through the program.

For the past 38 years, more than 200,000 Mexican workers have participated in the SAWP. This season, more than 7,000 Mexicans will be working on Ontario farms, including some in Flamborough.

Many of the workers are able to send their children to university and start small businesses in their home communities with the money that they earn in Ontario. Beyond the benefits that the program offers to Mexican communities, there is a substantial benefit for the whole Mexican economy, according to a press release from Enterprise Canada, a public relations firm hired by F.A.R.M.S. “A 2009 report found more than 135 million dollars entered Mexico’s national economy as a result of this program (SAWP),” the release stated.

Forth has employed seasonal workers on his 2^nd Concession Road West farm, where he grows broccoli and lettuce, for the past 42 years. Some have been returning to his farm for 28 years.

They come ready to work, eager to make the wages that support them and their families, educate their children at the university level and operate businesses and farms in their own countries. “They get ahead and improve their lives and that of their families,” he said. “They’ve made careers out of this. It works for everybody.”

Forth said one of the myths often reported in the media is that seasonal workers are isolated. He points out that many of them are often seen in Carlisle and Waterdown, and as many as three-quarters of those working on his farm carry cellphones, connecting them to family, area services and government departments. Some of his workers have relatives living in Canada. “They have more friends and relatives in Canada than I do,” he said.

In recent years, churches in Flamborough have put out the welcome mat for the workers, hosting suppers and social gatherings for them. The Carlisle and Kilbride United churches started the suppers about eight years ago, holding one or two during the growing season, but a few years ago, after Community Church began doing the same thing, the program grew even larger and the local Church Network began involved, with area churches taking turns hosting the meals and social evenings.

“We want to break down the barriers so that they feel like part of our community, not just a visitor,” said Community Church pastor Jason Small, a past president of the Waterdown Church Network. “Some of these guys have been coming here for the past 18 years.”

The events generally attract anywhere from 80 to 120 Mexican workers. Some are transported in farm trucks, some are picked up and transported by church members, others travel to the churches hosting the events on their bikes and some walk.

Small said the evening programs include soccer games, followed by supper and entertainment. The first supper will be held May 5 at Community Church on 6^th Concession Road East. Others will be held June 2 at Carlisle United, July 7 and Aug. 11 at Community Church, Sept. 22 at Carlisle United and Oct. 20 at Community Church.

Other activities hosted by local churches for the men include bike clinics, CPR instruction, trips to Niagara Falls and Blue Jays’ games, and free adjustments by a local chiropractor.

Involving migrant workers in community events will continue on Saturday, June 8, when a team composed of the workers will take on community VIPs in a soccer match during the second annual Wild on Waterdown, a volunteer fair and community celebration hosted by the Church Network at Memorial Park.

Parents of students attending Waterdown District High School (WDHS), as well as parents of elementary students planning to attend the high school, had an opportunity recently to provide input about course options to school board staff.

About 20 people attended a secondary program strategy meeting at WDHS to hear details of proposed specialized courses being offered both inside and outside the student catchment area for local high schools.

“Most of those attending were parents of elementary students who aren’t familiar with the courses provided at WDHS,” said Flamborough trustee Karen Turkstra. They wanted to know what it would mean if their child wanted to enroll in one of the Tier 3 programs offered off-site. For example, if their child wanted to take the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Ancaster High, does that mean that he or she would be attending the Ancaster school for their entire four years of high school?

The answer was no because the IB course is only for students in Grades 11 and 12, Turkstra said, meaning that the student could attend WDHS for the first two years of high school before switching to Ancaster High for the final two.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) staff recently recommended expanding Tier 3 programs, such as hospitality, construction, cosmetology and French Immersion, and offering them at additional school sites. Tier 3 programs require special facilities and are open to students across the entire system.

One such program offered at WDHS is cosmetology, which was introduced as a course at the local high school early this year. Its need for special equipment and facilities was accommodated during the planning of the high school’s new wing, which opened last year.

The proposed strategy creates two other tiers of programs for local public high schools: Tier 1 programs will be available for all schools and offer a wide range of courses and hands-on learning opportunities and Tier 2 programs, also offered at every school, will be those dependent on student demand, such as a course in Latin or music. Tier 2 courses currently offered at the Waterdown high school include energy and social justice.

Turkstra said Outbound, the outdoor education course at WDHS, is very popular and fits under the Tier 3 classification because of the need for bigger entrances and storage spaces in a classroom to accommodate equipment such as kayaks. During construction of the new addition, a special room with extra wide entrances and a large storage area was built for the Outbound program.

The proposed new program strategy is designed to provide students with lots of course selections. When the consultation meetings at 13 high schools are completed at the end of May, the public feedback will be shared with school trustees, who will decide whether to approve the staff recommendation for expanded Tier 3 programs. The expansion will require an estimated $5 million in school upgrades and a $1.115 million increase to the board’s transportation budget to allow students to be bussed to schools outside their area.

Jackie Penman, corporate communications manager with the HWDSB, said residents unable to attend public consultation meetings can provide input into the proposal by visiting the board’s website at www.hwdsb.on.ca.

Construction is underway to expand the Waterdown Post Office.

Crews were on site Thursday and work began today (Friday, May 17) to expand the Main Street North facility to accommodate Canada Post’s delivery operations, which ran out of an establishment on Dundas Street East, near Evans Road.

“Our lease expired at the other place and they decided not to renew the space for us,” explained Anick Losier, a Canada Post spokesperson.

As a result, the Crown corporation decided to relocate its local delivery operations in the Waterdown Post Office. However, additional space is required to accommodate up to 10 delivery agents, who pre-sort letters and parcels before setting out to complete their routes.

According to Losier, construction should not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Waterdown Post Office and no service disruptions are expected.

“For us, it’s always about maintaining service and making sure that our customers are not impacted,” she said.

A completion date has been targeted for September 2013.

More to come.

Dundas councillor Russ Powers jumped off the light-rail transit train, even though politicians yet again threw their support behind the B-line plan.

After initially supporting Hamilton’s Rapid Ready transit plan in February, which includes constructing the light-rail transit B-line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square, Powers said he can no longer back the plan because of the high potential cost.

“I don’t think we can afford LRT,” said Powers, after he read the entire city report, recently. “My support for LRT has shifted.”

Even though councillors reaffirmed their backing of LRT, some politicians have indicated they may not continue riding the LRT express.

In the February vote, councillors provided the province with an unanimous bloc of support for LRT, with the stipulation that the province fund the entire project.

But with the next phase of Metrolinx’s $50 billion transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area being proposed for the next 25 years, the province is searching for about $34 billion to help pay for the next wave of transit projects. Those projects include downtown transit lines for Toronto, the Yonge St. subway extension, and rapid transit in Brampton and Hamilton.

Metrolinx is looking at a series of possible revenue generators to cover the budget deficit, including tax increases, parking fees, and tolls. The crown agency is scheduled to send its preferred revenue tools to the province by June 1. The provincial government is then set to outline how to implement those new fees and taxes to pay for the transportation projects.

Mountain councillor Tom Jackson has continued to support the LRT project, but he acknowledged he could jump off the train as well because of the potential costs to taxpayers.

“(Powers) has taken his exit ramp,” said Jackson. “I reserve the right to take that exit ramp.”

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead said even if the province doesn’t fund the city’s entire transit project, there could be parts of the plan that could still be built.

“We have jumping off points if it is too expensive,” said Whitehead. “All (the motion) says is we will continue to support the B-line. (The province) has to provide the money.”

But he added that he could also withdraw from backing the B-line project, arguing he feels the city should be building the A-line from the Hamilton International Airport to the waterfront instead.

Mayor Bob Bratina remains skeptical of the light-rail transit project because of the potentially high price tag. With Hamilton’s project costs estimated to be around $1 billion, and if the province imposes new taxes or fees on Hamiltonians to fund it, Bratina doesn’t believe taxpayers will accept it.

“I’m not sure if we ask the public whether they would agree (with the taxes) going forward,” said the mayor, adding the city already faces an annual $195-million infrastructure deficit.

“My concern is that we need to assure ourselves we are going forward in the most efficient and responsible manner.”

The death of General Sir Isaac Brock at the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812 was among the reasons that the northern parts of East and West Flamborough Townships were so late to see the arrival of permanent settlers.

To provide compensation to the Brock family for his death, the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, on October 6, 1817, assigned vast tracts of land in the two townships – a total of 5,000 acres in Concessions 11 to 13 in East Flamborough and 1,563 in Concessions 9 to 11 in West Flamborough. Entered in the Abstract Index Land Registry books for the two townships, the Crown Grants were to greatly hinder settlement until the 1860s.

As the lower concessions began to see steady settlement following the end of the war, the northern area of the townships was to remain sparsely populated due to the Brock family’s absent ownership. In September 1833, the Brock heirs transferred title to some of their lots to William Henry Draper of York (Toronto) in order to arrange the sale to interested settlers and settle the estates of some family members.

To complicate settlement in the northern area, by the mid-1830s, a re-surveying of lots in East Flamborough became necessary, beginning at the 11th Concession, due to early surveying errors which had resulted in a shortage of acreage in a number of lots. To correct the mistake, the number of lots in each concession from the 11th Concession northwards was reduced from 13 to 12. This helps to explain why Centre Road turns to the west at this intersection.

As there were no registered settlers on the 11th Concession, lots were reduced in size from 200 acres to 150 acres. The overall change of the lots being re-surveyed resulted in a surplus amount of land at the north-west end of the township and saw the creation of the narrowly shaped Concession 14. To compensate the Brock family for their loss of the former lots 13 in the 11th and 13th Concessions, the family received lots 1, 3, 4 and 6 – 10 in the new concession.

By the 1840s there were still problems with incoming settlers squatting on the Brock lots. On January 19, 1849, all the Brock heirs and heiresses put the remaining unsold lots in trust to a Canadian relative, George Brock of Niagara, and a year later, the properties Draper had not sold, were also transferred to George Brock. During the next three years, he arranged the sale of several lots and issued the deeds.

In January 1853, roughly 1,800 acres were acquired by John Hillyard Cameron, a Toronto lawyer. The transaction solved the complicated history of ownership of the northern lots, as deeds were quickly issued to settlers who had been waiting for as long as 20 years for title to their property.

He has opened the eyes and broadened the minds of countless people by making space travel seem accessible to everyone.

He is a media darling, ready and willing to discuss the passion he has for his recent job as commander of the International Space Station.

Canadian astronaut and Milton native Chris Hadfield is our modern-day Galileo using social media to educate his legion of fans. To say the world is his classroom is a great understatement. He has linked to schools across Canada. He has ‘chatted’ with youth, including members of the air cadets. Hadfield has given new meaning to the word Skype.

The 53-year-old space commander has found a way to make his time spent orbiting the Earth seem almost as ordinary as working in an office.

His Tweets are thought-provoking, sometimes tinged with sadness, insightful and, often, humorous:

• Good Morning, World, and Happy Earth Day from orbit! One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. Apr 21

• Good Morning, Earth! Up early on a Saturday to change out EarthKam batteries. Think I’ll go for a run: About 20,000 km ought to do it Apr 26

• Sorry for the slow Tweeting today, we’ve had computer server troubles, but the fine folks at NASA JSC Houston just got it fixed! Apr 27

And on April 15, Hadfield snapped a shot of a city in mourning:

• Tonight’s Finale: A somber Spring night in Boston, he wrote.

On Monday, May 6, Hadfield participated in Music Monday, Canada’s annual celebration of music education. History  was made with a live concert linking students across the country with Hadfield aboard the space station.

Now Commander Hadfield is back on terra firma. But his journey in space provided us with a chance to ‘orbit’ alongside him. By reaching out to the ‘regular earthlings,’ he has given us a wondrous peek at our planet and at the human spirit.

Thank you, Commander Hadfield and welcome home.

In an attempt to minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries, the department’s fire prevention division offers the following safety tips:

• Handing and discharge of fireworks should only be done by adults. One person should be appointed to be in charge of the fireworks and that individual should be aware of the hazards of fireworks and essential safety precautions

• Carefully read and follow the label instructions on fireworks packaging, including those for required clearances and setbacks

• Choose a clear, open space, away from buildings and combustible materials. Check that there are no overhead wires or tree branches

• Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by

• Set up a ‘safe zone’ and keep all spectators, children and pets out of the area

• Keep fireworks in a closed box, away from the activation area, taking them out one at a time

• If fireworks are not equipped with a base, firmly set the device at least half its length in a bucket of sand or dirt, angled slightly away from spectators and check the wind direction and speed before lighting

• Never lean over a firework at any time. Light the firework only when at the tip of the fuse

• Never try to light a firework, or hold a lit firework, in your hand

• If a firework is a dud or misfires, approach it with caution. Never try to re-light a firework. Leave it for at least 30 minutes and then place it in a bucket of water

• If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary

Hamilton’s fire department also reminds residents that fireworks can only be set off on their property and only on Victoria Day, or two days immediately preceding or following the statutory holiday.

For additional information on fireworks safety, visit www.hamilton.ca/fire.

As the Victoria Day long weekend approaches, Canadian Blood Services is encouraging residents to make donating blood part of their plans now and help fill the potential long-weekend gap.

Two clinics will be open prior to the long weekend.

The Burlington location (1250 Brant St.) will operate from 8 a.m. until 12 (noon) on Saturday, May 18, while the Ancaster Blood Donor Clinic, located at 35 Stone Church Rd., will be open until 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 and from 8 a.m. until 12 (noon) on Saturday, May 18.

For more information, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE.

Organized by the Justice-inspired, Understanding, Motivated People (JUMP) club, in partnership with the safe and caring school committee and Healthy Community-Healthy Youth Flamborough, the assembly coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week and featured inspiring presentations by students and educators.

The 90-minute assembly included music, a dance performance by students Jillian Turner and Kelsey Costantino, and a meditation session led by teacher Cynthia Carey.

The school’s social worker, Sarah Buist, and the head of guidance, Derek Zuccolo, also took to the stage to alert students to the different services and resources available to them at WDHS and in the community.

To further spread awareness ­– and joy – the Heal4Life #smiletag activity was introduced. Wearing smiley face bandanas, students were encouraged to snap fun photoa and post them to Instagram or Twitter for a chance to win a special prize pack.

A new Wall of Hope, where students could jot down inspiring messages for others to take from, was also unveiled at last Monday’s assembly.

And to show just how encouraged and motivated students are to lead happy, healthy lives, members of the JUMP club distributed glow sticks to everyone in attendance. These were swiftly waved in the air for a colourful demonstration of the hope that lies within the Parkside Drive educational facility.

“The kids did such a good job,” said Lynda Wigood of Healthy Community-Healthy Youth. “They were so concerned, in an appropriate way.”

The students in Bert Neale’s Grade 6 class at Guy B. Brown Elementary School can already add ‘entrepreneur’ to their resumes.

The 23 students were part of the Learning Partnership’s Venture Café in December, which partnered them with a member of the local business community to try their hands at an entrepreneurial venture.

After brainstorming about 50 ideas, including events and products, the students managed to narrow the list down to three ideas, then put it to a vote. In the end, an art show came out victorious.

“The reason for their final decision was to get the community involved,” said Neale, the class’s teacher. “They liked the idea of having a live and silent auction.”

The class chose to support two charities: Kiva and City Kidz. Before deciding on the two charities, the students did online research, such as reviewing different charities on charity-rating web sites.

“They wanted to help the local community and kids their own age,” said Neale, about the choice to support City Kidz. “But they also wanted to help Third World countries that are less fortunate than they are.”

Kiva is an organization that allows the donor to offer a loan of a minimum of $25 to a person in need in a Third World country. The idea is to allow the borrower access to affordable capital to improve their own lives. Once the loan has been paid back, the investor is able to either keep their money or reinvest and help another individual.

Working as a class, and with little help from Neale, the students gathered donated art pieces from local artists, family members and other students in the school. They also received a number of donated frames for the artwork.

Everyone in the school is doing a self-portrait, which meant the students had to create permission slips for the school’s entire student body to sign, in order to be able to sell their artwork. “In the end they’ll probably have well over 500 pieces of art,” said Neale.

While there is no set fundraising goal, Neale said they measure their level of success by participation and the awareness they raise for the charities. The students managed to raise $600 to use for capital, such as supplies needed, advertising and posters.

“It’s the process, not the dollar value,” said the teacher, who believes this project has been a positive experience for his class.

“The experience has taught us a lot, like how to cooperate. It’s interesting; we get to learn new things,” said student Corson DaSilva, who is acting as CEO for the project.

“It’s hard to decide how to set it up and price because we have no experience,” said student Keaton Zsiros. “And we don’t want to hurt the little kids’ feelings,” added classmate Riley Scott.

The community is invited to attend the event, set for Wednesday, May 22 at Guy Brown School, 55 Braeheid Ave., from 5 to 8 p.m.