Almost two years to the day the proposal was first made at Leamington Municipal Council, councillors could sign off on naming a park in honour of migrant workers on Tuesday night.
A report to councillors recommends naming the parkette at 47 Erie Street "Migrant Workers Square."
2024 was the 50th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program between Mexico and Canada. The program has been a monumental success for the local agriculture industry, and the proposal was intended to honour both workers and the agreement.
The municipality consulted with the Mexican consulate and the Migrant Worker Community Program. They support the new space and have approved the design of a sign to identify it. The two organizations also paid for the sign, which will be worded in both English and Spanish.
The Mexican Consulate is also interested in painting a mural on a building along the northern perimeter of the park. The administration expressed no concerns about the art installation but recommended obtaining the building owner's approval.
Installing the sign will cost the municipality $11,941, an expenditure that would come out of Leamington's Parks Reserve Fund.
