Canada has launched new caregiver pilot programs that grant permanent residency to foreign caregivers upon their arrival. This initiative seeks to ensure continuous support for Canadian families as the existing Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots conclude.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller announced the programs, underscoring the government’s commitment to meeting the vital home care needs of children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
These new programs recognize the important role foreign caregivers play in Canadian households and aim to ease their employment and integration into Canadian society.
“Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions,” Miller said in a statement, reports The Globe and Mail.
“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 IRCC plans to admit at least 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents over the next two years, contributing to Canada’s overall immigration goals.
This status enables caregivers to work with organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from illness or injury. It also offers them flexibility in finding suitable employment with reputable employers, ensuring a clear and straightforward path to permanent residency, thereby enhancing their stability and integration.
“This pathway means that caregivers can more easily find proper work with reliable employers and have a clear, straightforward access to permanent-resident status as soon as they arrive in Canada,” the IRCC stated.
To qualify for the new programs, applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
– Achieving at least level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
– Possessing a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent
– Having relevant and recent work experience
– Securing a full-time job offer in home care
Minister Marc Miller confirmed that the pilot is expected to launch by the end of fall 2024 or early 2025 at the latest.
Detailed information about the new pilot programs, including complete eligibility criteria and application processes, will be released before the official launch.
