In a groundbreaking move, Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has announced a new initiative allowing caregivers to receive permanent residency upon arrival in the country.
The program is set to commence by the end of 2024 or early 2025 at the latest, replacing the expiring Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot.
The new program marks a significant upgrade from the existing caregiver pilot programs, which required a certain amount of work experience in Canada. Under the new initiative, caregivers will be granted permanent residency upon arrival, addressing the nation's evolving home care needs and recognising the invaluable contributions of home care professionals.
"Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions," said Miller in an IRCC news release. "As we work to implement a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilots will not only improve support for caregivers but also provide families with the quality care they deserve."
The new programs, set to replace the current pilots expiring on June 17, will allow caregivers to work for organisations that provide temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from injury or illness. This is a shift from previous requirements, which mandated a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5, a year of Canadian post-secondary education or its foreign equivalent, and at least six months of work experience.
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Eligibility for the new caregiver program includes achieving a minimum of level 4 on the CLB, holding the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, having recent and relevant work experience, and receiving an offer for a full-time home care job.
The demand for caregivers in Canada is on the rise as the population ages. According to the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada expects to welcome more than 15,000 new permanent residents through caregiver programs. Since the launch of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019, approximately 5,700 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents as of April 30, 2024.
A recent report by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence highlights the urgent needs of caregivers in Canada. It notes that many caregivers are over 65 and may also require care themselves.
"Nearly one in five caregivers are over the age of 65. Senior caregivers are least likely to access any services or supports to help with their responsibilities," the report stated.
Additionally, the increasing need for childcare providers is driven by more women entering the workforce, traditionally the primary caregivers for young children.
IRCC has not yet clarified the work experience requirement for the new pilot programs, promising more details closer to the full launch of the programs.
