Updates
Report on Challenges Faced by Temporary Foreign Workers in Whistler.docxTemporary Foreign Worker Program Report
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) play a critical role in supporting Whistler’s hospitality and tourism industries. Based on 70 interviews with TFWs on closed work permits, this report highlights the key challenges these workers face, including:
Mismatch Between Worker and Employer Expectations: Over 60% of workers reported discrepancies between job contracts and the reality of their work, such as longer hours or additional duties.
Fear of Job and Immigration Loss: More than 70% of workers expressed fear of losing their jobs, which could also result in losing their immigration status.
Housing Instability: 65% of workers faced housing issues, including overcrowding, deteriorating conditions, or unfulfilled housing promises, with some reporting invasions of privacy.
Cultural and Religious Barriers: Workers reported difficulties with religious practices due to unsuitable accommodations and a lack of cultural sensitivity.
Language and Communication Challenges: Language barriers created misunderstandings in the workplace and contributed to social isolation.
Contract Violations and Underpayment: Several workers experienced underpayment and contract breaches, with many fearing retaliation if they raised these issues.
Despite these challenges, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program remains crucial to addressing labour shortages, supporting economic growth, and enhancing workplace diversity. However, the report calls for systemic changes to address the vulnerabilities TFWs face, particularly around housing, employment conditions, and cultural inclusivity.
Exploring the Realities of a Diverse Workforce
Following the wide-ranging discussions at the March 21 event, the Allyship committee decided to explore each of the four topics that the 2021 survey had highlighted in greater detail. The first of these is employment, and on October 23, 2024 we're holding a panel discussion for HR professionals, managers, business owners, and anyone interested in fostering an inclusive workplace.
What to expect...
Panel discussion - hear local perspectives from organizations with diverse workforces and how they support their diverse teams. Panelists include staff, supervisor and management level representatives of the Whistler Multicultural Society, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler Cooks, and Sundial Hotel
Networking opportunities - connect with like-minded professionals and build your network of support for enhancing diversity and inclusion in your business
Resources and strategies - learn what peer organizations are doing. There’ll also be a range of materials and resources available for participants to access and take away.
Our aim is to address the practical realities of working with teams from different cultures, with different languages and different backgrounds and histories.
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21st, 2024
In recognition of The United Nations' designation of March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Whistler Multicultural Society hosted a speaker event to explore the discrimination experienced by racialized people across various social systems such as education, health services, employment, and housing. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a moment to take stock of what’s changed, what’s improved, and what’s gotten worse.
During the event, each table was given a question and social system, and table discussions took place to discuss the issues faced in the corridor in these areas.
Click here to read the event's community dialogue report.
Antiracism Community Engagement (Nov 23)
On November 14, 2023, the WMS Resilience program held a community engagement to discuss issues of racism in the Sea to Sky and how the community can work together to help resolve these issues.
During our initial discussion it became clear that many instances of racism occur in the workplace. In addition, a 2022 survey by the Whistler Multicultural Society revealed that the schools are also the location of many instances of racism or racial discrimination. The key findings have been summarized below:
Immigrants and people of colour are scared to file any complaints about racism or discrimination in the workplace because of the systems in place for filing complaints.
Migrant workers on closed work permits do not have the luxury of leaving their place of employment if they feel abused or discriminated against.
Some people may not realize they are being discriminated against or being taken advantage of.
When faced with instances of racism, students do not feel they can approach teachers.
Schools do not teach students to be accepting of everyone
After discussing the issues faced by racial minorities in the Sea to Sky we discussed what can be done to reduce instances of racism.
Employers and employees should be required to participate in diversity training
Ask employers to commit to stopping racism or discrimination in their companies
Train more migrant support workers to help migrant workers navigate Canada’s worker's rights and build a case or complaint against employers
Expose different cultures to children at a young age to make them more accepting of and curious about other cultures.
Teach about the ways diversity strengthens Canada
Inclusivity training for teachers
Moving forward we hope to work with the community to initiate changes like those mentioned above. We will be doing this through meeting regularly with a group of people who are invested in making a difference in the community as well as meeting with social service providers in Whistler to discuss the kinds of initiatives taking place in their organizations.
To read the full report, please CLICK HERE
Anti-Racism Legislation Engagement
On September 20th and 26th 2023 we met with 15 people across two meetings to discuss the kinds of programs and legislation the community wants to see from the Government of B.C. and the Whistler Multicultural Society. Nine different questions were posed to the groups to gain a better understanding of the support needed by the community and how current legislation and programs are impacting racial groups. A full report has now been submitted to the provincial government.
Key recommendations outlined in the report:
Validate the experiences of equity seeking people and acknowledge the systemic racial issues within Whistler
Change the narrative about who makes up the Whistler community
Increase governmental and social resources to support those experiencing racism and make them more accessible through the use of comprehensible language and ease of access
If you are interested in seeing the full report click here.
Anti-racism Survey 2022
In 2022, the Whistler Multicultural Society conducted a study on Racism, Bias and Discrimination in the Sea to Sky corridor. The goal of the study was to understand if and how racism and discrimination are experienced within our local communities.
A survey was distributed primarily online through a variety of social media channels. The results of the study intend to inform the creation of a protocol that will outline best practices for local service providers to respond to incidents of racism.
Key findings show that:
Most participants who identified as racialized (self identifying as Indigenous, black or African descent, biracial, person of color or other) have experienced some form of racism while residing in the Sea to Sky corridor
Of those who have, there is marked reluctance to report incidents
There is no one clear place/person that individuals would feel most comfortable reporting racism and discrimination to
Anti-racism training is seen as important to create a successful reporting environment
Click here for full results and analysis.