ServiceOntario delivers health card registration services, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is responsible for the OHIP program and setting applicable OHIP legislation, policy and program requirements , as well as medical claims processing.
The required Seasonal Agricultural Workers Registration for Ontario Health Coverage form is available on our website. New registrants, renewals, and their employers can access the ‘fill and print’ form at: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca . Once in the Central Forms Repository simply enter “Migrant Farm Worker” in the Quick Search for Forms and click on the link provided.
For new or returning workers who require a photo, there are two ways that a farm employer can book appointments:
To book an appointment, call ServiceOntario at 1-800-664-8988:
Be sure to advise the representative that you are calling about appointments for Migrant Farm Workers (MFW). They will assist you immediately in most cases. If they are unable to assist you they will direct you to the correct location.
When emailing your appointment request employers must include the following information:
This email account is for appointment booking only.
You may also bring the workers to a ServiceOntario centre that is designated to provide MFW services to register for health insurance coverage.
PLEASE NOTE: Since this is not by appointment, there may be a wait time.
For information on the location of a ServiceOntario centre that is designated to provide MFW services please call 1-800-664-8988 or visit the ServiceOntario website at www.services. gov.on.ca/sf/ In the search bar type “Register your Return to Ontario” and click the link provided. You will now be prompted to enter your postal code to search for locations offering this service. Click on the “Details and Directions” link at your preferred location to view additional information.
If the worker has never had an Ontario photo health card, take the worker to the nearest ServiceOntario centre that is designated to provide MFW services to register them. Please bring:
PLEASE NOTE: If the worker does not have all of their original documents, they cannot be registered for a new photo health card. If a worker does not have their original Work Permit, they must contact their Liaison Officer.
The health card photo and signature are valid for a period of 5 years, so workers who had their last photo and signature taken in 2016 or earlier need to have their photo and signature updated at a ServiceOntario centre that is designated to provide MFW health card services.
F.A.R.M.S. has provided the Liaison Services and the Mexican Consulate with a list of workers who require an updated photo and signature in 2021.
If a worker did not have his or her photo and signature updated last year, then he or she will be required to visit a ServiceOntario centre to register for health insurance coverage in 2022.
A health card should be received in approximately 4-6 weeks after ServiceOntario has received a worker’s registration documents, or after he or she registers. If the worker has not received his or her card in this timeframe, you can visit the ServiceOntario centre where the registration was completed or contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-664-8988 to check the status of the health card.
A worker’s health insurance coverage ends on the earliest of the:
It is important that all health cards be returned by the employer or Liaison Officer to the ServiceOntario centre located in Hamilton as soon as possible – see address below. If the health card is not received by the employer until after the worker has left, please return it with a note stating that the worker has returned home and the date he or she left Canada.
Attention: Manager, ServiceOntario, 119 King Street West, 4th floor, Hamilton ON L8P 4Y7
If the worker has been registered at a ServiceOntario centre and requires medical services:
If the worker has not been registered for health insurance coverage and requires medical services:
APPENDIX:
COVID-19 Emergency Measures – Farm Worker Applications
In response to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has removed the in-person visit requirement for health card
registrations and renewals for Migrant Farm Workers and Temporary Farm Workers working full-time on a farm.
Request for registration and/or renewal may be sent to the ServiceOntario Hamilton office via:
Mail: 119 King Street West, 4th Floor, Hamilton ON L8P 4Y7
• When completing the forms, as proof of residency for the worker, farms will indicate their full address of the
farm/producer.
• Photocopies or faxed copies of documents are considered acceptable during this time.
• Applications are photo and signature exempt, but a photo on file for renewals that are less than 10 years old will
be re-used
• Health Cards will be mailed as usual, but a Transaction Record will not be issued
Documents Required:
Applicants must include the following:
1. The completed Seasonal Agricultural Workers Registration for Ontario Health Coverage form (given to each worker
at the airport or printed from the internet). Note: The worker’s legal name must be written as it appears on
their Work Permit
2. Passport
3. Work Permit. Note: SAWP may be noted in the EMPLOYER section and the expiry date will usually be
December 15 of the current year
4. Previous health number (if known, to be completed on the registration form).
5. Address of farm (to be completed on the registration form)
Who should I contact for more information on ServiceOntario or Ministry of Health
programs?
Please contact the ServiceOntario INFOline between 8:30am and 5:00pm at
1-800-664-8988 or TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-800-387-5559.
When foreign agricultural workers are injured or become ill on the job in Ontario, they are eligible for WSIB benefits and services like any Ontarians covered by the WSIB.
Workplace injury or illness coverage for foreign agricultural workers starts the day they arrive at the agreed upon departure location in their home country and remains in place until they return home.
While in Ontario, these workers are covered when:
They’re generally not covered when:
For information on how to report a workplace injury or illness visit http://wsib.ca or call 1-800-387-0750
Agriculture and Horticulture Safety Centre
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services is here for you, as your agriculture sector, designated health and safety provider within the Ontario prevention system, to address the health and safety
challenges you face including ensuring the safety of temporary foreign agricultural workers. We offer agri-specific training and consulting services on topics such as:
Online Resource Hub
Our Agriculture and Horticulture Safety Centre includes a Resource Hub with a large inventory of free, easy to use tools for all agriculture hazards in a variety of formats:
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WSPS.CA/farmsafety
customercare@wsps.ca | 1-877-494-WSPS (9777)
ONTARIO PESTICIDE EDUCATION PROGRAM, UNIVERSITRY OF GUELPH RIDGETOWN CAMPUS
Farmer Assistants who handle Class B or C pesticides must:
A Farmer Assistant is anyone working on the farm who handles Class B or C pesticides under the supervision of a Certified Farmer.
A Certified Farmer may supervise up to 3 Farmer Assistants at any given time.
Duties – Farmer Assistants may:
Restrictions of Duties – Farmer Assistants may not:
Training for Farmer Assistants
There are two ways for Farmer Assistants to get the training they need.
They can:
or
Certified Farmers qualify as On-Farm Instructors by participating in a half-day course. The course fee is $65. There is a $25 registration fee for each Farmer Assistant that you train. To register for an On-Farm Instructor Course, please call 1-800-652-8573 or sign up for a course by visiting our website – www.opep.ca
Spanish speaking On-Farm instructors are available for hire in the Caledonia, Brantford, Sarnia, Chatham and Leamington areas. Call us for a referral.
As a Certified Farmer, you are responsible for all pesticide use and handling on your farm. This includes pesticide use and handling by any Farmer Assistants you may supervise.
Ontario Pesticide Education Program University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus Ridgetown ON NOP 2CO
Ph:1-800-652-8573; Fax:519-674-1589
www.opep.ca rcopep@uoguelph.ca