Health Fairs, Soccer Tournaments, and Insurance: Building a Foreign Worker Community
On the soccer pitch in Leamington, Ontario, teams of greenhouse workers are facing off in the annual Greenhouse Cup.
On the sidelines, a team member from the Foreign Workers Canada Health Plan chats in Spanish with a player, explaining how his coverage works and where he can get care.
All the while, families cheer, and music plays.
For a few hours in an always-moving life, the isolation that many temporary foreign workers feel in Canada gives way to something else: community.
This is what real support looks like. Not just insurance cards and policy documents. Real support goes much further – showing up in the places where workers live, play, and celebrate.
Foreign Workers Need More Than Insurance Alone
As of 2023, Canada hosts over 183,000 temporary foreign workers, with approved positions more than doubling since 2018.
These workers are filling many of the most critical gaps in the Canadian economy. They take on skilled roles in agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and healthcare.
But behind those statistics are real people facing very real challenges that no insurance policy alone can solve.
Roughly 35% of migrant farm worker clinic visits involve musculoskeletal injuries from physically demanding work.
Workers also deal with mental health struggles, isolation from family, language barriers, and housing conditions that can affect their health. Even when workers have health coverage, they often struggle to access care.
Fear of missing work and uncertainty about their rights keep many in the dark. Plus, the lack of interpreters and simply not knowing where to go creates barriers between workers and the healthcare they need.
This is where community events become a non-negotiable. Whether it's health fairs, soccer tournaments, or cultural festivals, these are some of the most effective ways to connect workers with care.
Health Fairs: Where Coverage Meets Access
The Migrant Worker Community Program's annual health fair at the Roma Club in Leamington is a great example of what happens when healthcare comes to workers.
Hundreds of temporary foreign workers attend these events each year. They receive blood pressure screenings, glucose testing for diabetes, dental check-ups, vaccines, and more – all in one accessible location.
But even more important? Health fairs offer something clinical settings often can't: trusted interpreters, familiar faces, and the time to ask questions without feeling rushed.
Workers learn when to use emergency care versus walk-in clinics, how to fill prescriptions, what their insurance actually covers, and who to call when they need help.
For employers and insurance providers, these events represent smart prevention. A worker who understands their coverage and knows how to access care is far more likely to address health concerns early – benefiting everyone.
Sports Tournaments: Building Trust Through Culture
Ask migrant workers what they miss most about home, and sporting opportunities and events often top the list. So why not make sure they have access through your organization?
The Greenhouse Cup Soccer Festival is a great example of this. This event brings workers together for weekend tournaments that celebrate athletic competition and cultural connection.
But there’s more than just fun. When People Corporation and other sponsors set up information booths alongside the soccer pitch, they create natural opportunities for informal conversations about health and benefits.
The atmosphere matters. Workers are more receptive to information about their rights and coverage when they're relaxed, surrounded by friends, and engaged in something they love.
Insurance representatives who show up with translators and sponsor teams earn trust that carries forward when workers actually need to use their benefits.
Cultural Festivals: Recognition and Belonging
The Festival of Guest Nations in Leamington takes community support a step further by publicly celebrating the contributions temporary foreign workers make to Canadian communities.
Over 1,500 workers attend this annual event, which coincides with Mexican Independence Day and features music, traditional food, performances, raffles, and recognition ceremonies.
These festivals matter because they counter the invisibility many foreign workers feel. When local municipalities and employers sponsor these events, they send a clear message: you're valued members of this community, not just labor.
That dignity and recognition affect how workers view the organizations supporting them.
An insurance provider that sponsors cultural festivals and shows up with translated materials and genuine interest becomes a trusted partner, not just another deduction on a pay stub.
From Coverage to Community of Care
Real community happens when comprehensive insurance meets consistent presence.
Employers who support worker-focused events alongside providing solid insurance position themselves as preferred workplaces in a competitive market for foreign workers.
They also create environments where workers feel safe addressing health concerns early, leading to better outcomes for everyone.
Because this is where coverage meets culture. Where policies become people helping people.
Ready to Build Real Community Support for Your Workers?
The Foreign Workers Canada Health Plan doesn't just provide insurance – we show up where your workers live, work, and celebrate.
From sponsoring health fairs and soccer tournaments to offering multilingual support and community education, we help you create a workplace where foreign workers feel protected, valued, and connected.
Want to learn how People Corporation can support your workforce? Contact us today to discuss coverage options, explore community partnership opportunities, or get answers to your questions about foreign worker benefits.
Looking to provide your foreign workers with the necessary healthcare coverage?
Click through the video below to learn about the FWCHP.
