Toronto, October 24, 2023 - Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada, by Gabriel Allahdua with Edward Dunsworth (Between the Lines, 2023) is the winning entry for the 2023 Speaker’s Book Award. The Honourable Ted Arnott, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, made the announcement at a ceremony at the Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, last night.

In this singular firsthand account, a former migrant worker reveals a disturbing system of exploitation at the heart of Canada’s farm labour system. When Gabriel Allahdua applied to the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program in Canada, he thought he would be leaving his home in St. Lucia to work in a country with a sterling human rights reputation and commitment to multiculturalism. Instead, breakneck quotas and a culture of fear dominated his four years in a mega-greenhouse in Ontario. This deeply personal memoir takes readers behind the scenes to see what life is really like for the people who produce Canada’s food.

During the ceremony, Speaker Arnott also announced the winners of the Speaker’s Award for Youth Writers that recognizes students in grades 7 to 12 for their excellence in original writing. 

Launched in 2012, the Speaker’s Book Award recognizes non-fiction works by Ontario authors reflecting the diverse culture and rich history of the province and of its residents. Winning books are available for sale at the Legislative Gift Shop and featured in the Legislative Library.

For more information on the award, visit the Speaker’s Book Award web site.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Parliamentary Protocol and Public Relations 
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
416-325-7500