Caregivers from abroad play a vital role in Canadian families by providing essential care to children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Recognizing their significant contributions, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced new, enhanced caregiver pilot programs as the existing Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot near their end this month. These new initiatives aim to ensure that caregivers can continue to come to Canada and benefit from more permanent solutions, with the ultimate goal of making these caregiver pilot programs permanent.
The newly introduced pilot programs will offer home care workers permanent residence (PR) status upon their arrival in Canada. Moreover, these workers will be permitted to work for organizations that offer temporary or part-time care to individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from injuries or illnesses. This new pathway will make it easier for caregivers to secure suitable employment with reliable employers and provide them with a clear, straightforward route to obtaining permanent resident status as soon as they enter Canada.
Under the new pilot programs, candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible. These criteria include achieving a minimum level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), holding the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, having recent and relevant work experience, and receiving a full-time home care job offer. These initiatives represent a significant step forward in addressing the home care needs of Canada’s diverse population. Detailed information about the full eligibility criteria and application process will be provided before the programs’ full launch.
Minister Marc Miller emphasized the critical role caregivers play in supporting Canadian families and highlighted the necessity of programs that reflect their invaluable contributions. He noted that these new pilots will not only enhance support for caregivers but also ensure that families receive the quality care they deserve. Minister Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, also expressed pride in the government’s efforts to support the caregiver community, acknowledging the long-standing advocacy of generations of caregivers who have cared for Canadian families.
As part of the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents. The impact of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot, launched in 2019, has been significant, with nearly 5,700 caregivers and their family members having become permanent residents as of April 30, 2024. This move marks a continued commitment to recognizing the essential work of caregivers and providing them with the opportunities and support they deserve..
Source: IRCC News