Temporary Residents

After the American Civil War, several senior government officials and high-ranking officers of the Confederate States of America, fearing prosecution as traitors, sought refuge in Niagara from 1865 to 1869. William Kirby, a known Confederate sympathizer, noted that the community was very welcoming and the Niagara Mail reported that it was a “subject of pride to Canadians that they can offer the hospitality…to so many worthy men who are proscribed and banished from their homes for no crime”.  However, many of the town's black residents might not have felt the same way. Some of these residents had escaped slavery; others may have fought against it or even assisted slaves escaping to Canada. Living among the Confederates who championed slavery would not have been easy. 

By the 1870s, Niagara experienced several economic setbacks. However, an economic resurgence began with the arrival of two hotels, the Queen’s Royal and Chautauqua, resulting in the emergence of a resort-like community.  The Queen's Royal was the destination of choice for wealthy individuals who wanted to escape city living. Many tourists came from Buffalo and upstate New York, and from the southern United States. 

The creation of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SWAP) in 1966 was a direct response by the Canadian government to help fill the labour shortage in the agricultural sector. Niagara’s local farms, orchards and vineyards have become dependant on an estimated 2,860 annual temporary workers who come from Mexico, Jamaica and the Caribbean islands, to help during the planting and harvesting seasons. 

These workers spend anywhere from 6 to 8 months of the year working excessively long work weeks to send as much money back home as possible. Several advocacy groups in Niagara strive to reduce as many barriers as possible. The Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group assists with health care, transportation, nutrition, finances, employment, safety, language and education.  Over the years the community of Niagara has hosted an annual welcome event on the first Sunday in May. The event gives the community a chance to say thank you to all the temporary workers who contribute to the agricultural industry.