Learning from Migrant Workers in Nova Scotia:
Reflections of a Legal Intern

July 23, 2025

“This is quite a high number of calls, more than usual,” said Stacey Gomez, the Executive Director of CMWR NS. We were driving out of the city to talk to a few migrant workers face-to-face. In my first month of work, I had supported a handful of cases and accompanied Stacey on two previous trips to connect with workers, but this third trip was going to be challenging for me. At this point, I was beginning to feel more comfortable in my role as a Legal Intern with the organization. Even so, I knew I was going to be tested on this trip because I was going to be responsible for leading the discussion with the workers and interviewing one of the individuals completely by myself.

When I started working as a Legal Intern with CMWR NS at the beginning of May, I thought the twelve-week internship would simply entail talking with migrant workers, filling out forms, and doing research. While these tasks certainly were the basis of my work, my experience with the organization was much more profound and meaningful. In fact, I could not have imagined just how much work I would be able to complete in my short time with CMWR NS.

Immediately after my first meeting, I was given the tools to start a major project that would define much of my internship. The aim of the project was to understand and develop recommendations on proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). I reviewed numerous discussion papers and submissions describing the upcoming changes to the TFWP, followed by outreach in rural areas of Nova Scotia to build trust with migrant workers and inform them about the proposed changes. To further the project, I co-hosted a focus group to talk with workers in detail about the upcoming changes to the TFWP, providing a space for them to share their opinions and stories with us. I built the foundation of CWMR NS’ recommendations for the TFWP highlighting migrant workers’ perspectives on the proposed changes. I am so proud of the work that went into that submission. Through this work, I felt like I accomplished something deeply meaningful and bigger than myself.

While this major project was the highlight of my experience, the rest of my work during the internship was equally influential to my growth. I learned a lot from talking with migrant workers who needed support. The idea that I could help a worker feel supported through discussions, Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit narratives, and Workers Compensation forms was enlightening, to say the least. Learning more about workers’ experiences and the precarious situations they endure was sincerely eye-opening and previously unfathomable. I hope the support I offered during my internship results in positive outcomes for migrant workers in Nova Scotia. They deserve to be treated with respect, as all human beings do. I hope one of the workers I supported can continue to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits from their workplace injuries. I want another worker we supported to be able to escape a dangerous workplace. I hope that all workers can know their rights and feel confident to stand up for themselves. This internship showed me that there are a lot of human rights issues in Nova Scotia and beyond that go unheard and need to be addressed.

During the internship, I was stretched and pushed outside of my comfort zone. I was asked to do things I had not done before, and with each task, I learned and grew. This experience allowed me to gain confidence in my skills and knowledge—both of which I plan on using in my future career. For this, and much more, I am truly thankful for this opportunity.

Thank you Stacey, Thiago, the staff of CMWR NS, and many more. I wish you all and the organization the best in years to come. I would also like to thank the Schulich Foundation for funding this internship.

Sincerely, 
Garret Pifko

Garret Pifko worked at the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia (CMWR NS) from May to July 2025 as a Legal Intern. He is entering his third year at Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie.