The Migrant Worker Ministry is based at St. Saviour, Orono. Currently, the ministry supports approximately 460 migrant workers on 16 farms from Mexico and the Caribbean, with additional support from St. Paul, Beaverton and St. John, Bowmanville. This highlights a small FaithWorks- and diocesan-supported program that has had a widespread impact – a program that aligns well with the Canadian government’s economic diversification strategies.
It is also a program that has attracted extensive community support through partnerships far beyond the parish. These include not only other parishes, but also diverse partners such as Durham Regional Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the United Church, the Baptist Church, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, The Gathering Place (a partnership of seven local churches) the Salvation Army and many individual donors.
What is the role of the Church in the Canadian economy?
One template is the Migrant Worker Ministry in Orono and its support of the agrifood sector. Administered by one of the smallest parishes in the diocese, this ministry demonstrates what faith-based programs can achieve beyond the four walls of a church building.
Every year, migrant farm workers come from around the world to support the physically demanding work of agriculture in Canada through the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. These workers are essential to the success and stability of our national food infrastructure. Before the pandemic, more than 20,000 migrant workers worked on farms and in greenhouses in Ontario alone. The majority of these workers come from Mexico and Jamaica, with other source countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Nicaragua and Vietnam. In Clarington, workers arrive from Mexico and the Caribbean to spend at least 10 months working in agriculture and helping to feed Canadians.
The Rev. Augusto Núñez, incumbent of St. Saviour, Orono, provides Spanish-language religious services to the men. This ministry includes a weekly church service as well as regular pastoral visits to the men in their working and living environments. The Sunday service is held simultaneously with the regular English-speaking congregation, providing a growing opportunity for cultural exchange and friendship.
The Hub
The ministry also provides access to “The Hub,” the crown jewel of the ministry. The Hub is a free “store” located in the church basement. It provides clothing, non-perishable food, hygiene supplies, winter coats, hoodies, sweaters, boots and bicycles for transportation around the farms. The estimated retail value of the items in The Hub in 2026 is conservatively $30,000. This has been made possible through the development of partnerships with the wider community and fellow faith-based organizations. All items in The Hub are donated by a growing number of community organizations, individual donors, interfaith churches and the congregation of St. Saviour’s. The workers can access The Hub throughout the year, obtaining appropriate clothing and footwear as the seasons change from the cold of winter to the heat of summer.
Community dinners
The second major area of financial support comes through communal dinners. Throughout the year, four communal sit-down dinners are provided free of charge to the men. These occasions can accommodate more than 100 workers. Along with the food, musical entertainment is always very popular, with the workers enthusiastically participating in the Spanish-language entertainment. Many of the men have excellent voices and are never shy about providing solo performances. These dinners are hosted by community supporters and parishes, with the full cost of each dinner borne by the hosting parish. But this ministry is clearly more than one parish, one minister or one congregation. It is a community supporting migrant workers in their work to feed us all – and supporting their stewardship of God’s earth, which has a direct impact on Ontario and communities far beyond Orono.
Saying goodbye
José and Jesús are saying their goodbyes to the congregation at St. Saviour’s in Orono and packing their bags at the end of yet another 10-month season of farm work. “On behalf of the workers at Garden Farm – Cayetano, Carlos Felipe and José – we thank Father Augusto and everyone who provides us with annual donations, such as groceries, delicious meals, clothing, footwear and exchange vouchers. May God multiply these gifts and bless you always. Truly, thank you very much, Father.” – José at Garden Farm
“On behalf of all the Mexican workers at Pingle’s Farm Market, we extend our deepest gratitude to Father Augusto and all the volunteers at his parish for the selfless support they have provided us from the start of the season until its conclusion. Thank you very much, Father. May God always watch over and bless you.” – Jesús, Pingle’s Farm Market
Supporting Canada’s agricultural future
Today, Canadian society is highly dependent on migrant farm workers to maintain the agricultural sector, whether on farms, in fruit orchards or in greenhouses. A recently announced 10-year, $3.2 billion food security strategy highlights the Canadian government’s focus on developing and growing domestic food production, with plans to establish small food hubs and terminals for a more “home grown” distribution of produce across the country
The Anglican Church, along with other faith-based and agrifood-sector partners, can assist with this strategy. The success of Núñez and the partnerships he has developed demonstrate a potential model for how faith communities can contribute to this important work.
St. Saviour’s and the Migrant Worker Ministry wish to acknowledge the invaluable financial advice, support and encouragement provided throughout the year by all of our donors and partners, along with the Diocese of Toronto, FaithWorks, the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation and, in particular, the continued encouragement and support of Bishop Riscylla Shaw.
A final thank you
We conclude with a message from one of the workers in a thank-you letter received during the 2026 season:
“Anyone would party with you until dawn, but not just anyone would do so in a hospital. Anyone might eat with you at a restaurant, but not just anyone would sit on the street and share a meal with you. Anyone can be there during times of plenty, but not just anyone stands by you during times of scarcity. That is why today, with a heart full of gratitude, I want to thank the Migrant Worker Ministry and all the people who support us through their generous donations. Especially Father Augusto Núñez for the help he provides every Sunday through the Spanish-language services. He teaches us that we are not alone, that God is with us wherever we are, and that He gives us the strength to keep moving forward. I thank God for the incredible people He has placed on our path and for everyone who makes us feel truly blessed.” – Workers at Rekker’s Gardens Inc.
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