Over the past two years, HCLC has supported a client in her journey towards justice, after reporting harassment and violence at the workplace and being fired in retaliation. This client worked for Nebo Mushrooms in Port Hope as a mushroom picker, after relocating to Canada from China with her son. She experienced bullying and violence on the job by her co-workers, which she reported to her boss. In response, she was put on an unpaid leave of absence and never brought back to work. The employer tried to characterize the end of her employment as her quitting, which was incorrect. In November 2025, after taking this reprisal matter to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, our client received the OLRB’s merits decision, confirming that yes, she had been reprised against by Nebo Mushrooms, in violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.Â
In May 2026, we went back to the OLRB to argue for appropriate compensation for this client. HCLC and its client have been grateful for an outpouring of support from the migrant worker community and allies. Media coverage around the date of the May 26, 2026 hearing has also meant that this serious issue, and the tremendous issues facing newcomer workers in closed work permits, have been made more public. We are hopeful for a remedy award that truly compensates this for what she has gone through.Â
Read more :
CBC | Migrant worker seeks compensation after labour board rules Hamilton farm wrongfully fired her
Toronto Star | This Ontario migrant worker was fired after she complained about workplace harassment. She just scored a rare legal victory
November Merits Decision: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onlrb/doc/2025/2025canlii122565/2025canlii122565.html
