Over the past decade, the Canadian economy has become increasingly dependent upon exploited temporary foreign workers, in large part through the Canadian government’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), an arm of the government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A new book, Tomorrow We’re All Going to the Harvest: Temporary Foreign Worker Programs and Neoliberal Political Economy, explores with scholarly attention and detail many of the problems inherent in this program.

For seven years, thousands have marched through the streets of Toronto on May 1, demanding status for all, immigrant rights and worker rights. Supporting indigenous communities and environmental justice. Calling for an end to racism, ageism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.  

"And on February 21, Toronto City Council voted to reaffirm its promise to deliver services to every resident regardless of immigration status," said Tings Chak, a member of No One is Illegal Toronto.

"We will continue to build a solidarity city, where communities work together to ensure justice and dignity for all residents. The history of access without fear is a long one."

So, am I the only parent of small children struck by the familiar tone of RBC's Temporary Foreign Worker damage control message fiasco? In a CBC interview that was basically a clinic for how not to do PR, Chief Human Resources Officer Zabeen Hirji's attempt at banksplaining sounded suspiciously like a Sharon, Lois and Bram singalong: "Who, me? Yes, you. Couldn't be! Then who? iGate hired temporary foreign workers from the global labour market cookie jar!"

(Although kudos to CBC for reminding those of us who haven't seen one in a while what a tough interview -- of a Corporate Canada spokesperson, anyway -- actually looks like.)