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For six months every year, Dago- berto Cruz trades his family in Mexico for a new one in Canada. No, it's not like it may seem-- Cruz is one of thousands of mi- grant farm workers who spends his summers doing farm work in Canada. In his case, he has been com- ing to Andrews' Scenic Acres, a popular pick-your-own farm on 10 Sideroad, for the last 16 years. Bert and Lauraine Andrews's 600- acre farm just east of Hwy. 25 in Halton Hills, becomes his new home for half a year. The Andrews-- and the 14 co- workers, ages 26 to 55 years, he spends summers with-- have be- come like a second family to him. Cruz, 41, considers the season- al agricultural work he does on the fruit and vegetable farm as far more than just a job-- it's a step- ping stone to a better life. A native of Tenancingo, Mexi- co, Cruz is working on a seasonal contract through a Canadian sup- plemental labour program that is recognized as the best of its kind in the world. Cruz, whose father was also a farmer, is one of approximate- ly 16,000 seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad/Tobago and the East Caribbean who will work in Ontario's agrifood business through the program this year. Cruz says he returns each year to work on the Andrews' farm because it gives him a rewarding job that he can't find in Mexico, allowing him to provide a much better quality of life for his wife Elia and their three children; his youngest is six. In fact, he's able to afford uni- versity tuition for his eldest child that would not be possible if he worked in Mexico only. The hour- ly minimum wage in Mexico is around $5/$6, compared to here, where it's $11. The couple's 20-year-old daughter Nancy is in her second year, studying to become a law- yer-- an education they never would have been able to afford without Cruz's Ontario earnings. The knowledge and experience he has picked up while working on the Andrews' farm has also al- lowed him to run his own small fruit farm back home. He sells his goods-- mainly cactus fruit (prickly pear), along with peaches and strawberries-- at a farm mar- ket near the town he calls home, located near Mexico City. The ties between Dagoberto and Bert and Lauraine Andrews go beyond a typical work relation- ship. Five years ago while work- ing on the farm he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The An- drews helped make sure he got the medical attention he required throughout his treatment and re- cuperation. To thank the couple's kindness during a difficult period, Cruz and his wife named their youngest daughter Laura after Lauraine. Laura was born shortly after his cancer treatments. Cruz, meanwhile, has a clean bill of health. "I never could have paid for that at home," he said. "The insur- ance here covered it all. I was at St. Joseph's in Toronto for over a month." "They're like family to me. They're very good people," said Cruz, who also serves as foreman on the job since he can easily translate between everyone. "I'm very grateful to work here. This job allows us to have a better life in Mexico. "Bert is a very nice person… very friendly," he added. "He's not like a boss. He's a friend." Bert Andrews says the pro- gram also provides Ontario farm- ers with vital benefits. Without a steady source of reliable seasonal workers provided through the program as a supplement to local labour, many farmers in Ontario couldn't remain economically vi- able. They'd be forced to stop grow- ing fruits and vegetables altogeth- er or move into less labour-inten- sive crops. It ensures that crops are plant- ed and harvested in a timely fash- ion. Cruz said when it comes time to say goodbye near the end of October, he does it with good memories. "This is home too," he laughed. Pa ge 8 T hu rs da y, Ju ly 1 6, 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a YOUR SMILE AWAITS Dr. Stephen Diana DDS DIANADENTAL.CA905.873.6485 Alexander Trenton DD GEORGETOWNDENTURECLINIC.CA905.877.2359 Let our professional team offer you the very latest in implant denture technology. Let our kind, caring staff, exceed all your expectations. "Diana Dental" for diagnostic and implant placement, and "The Georgetown Denture Clinic" for the fitting and fabrication of your implant dentures. Together, creating the comfort you deserve. THE CLOSEST THING TO YOUR OWN NATURAL TEETH - MAYBE BETTER! CALL US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED JUST HOW AFFORDABLE STABLE DENTURES CAN BE! IMPLANT SECURED DENTURES IMPLANT SECURED DENTURES NEWS Mexican farm worker funds daughter's education to become a lawyer By Julie Slack Special to The IFP Dagoberto Cruz