Canada has unveiled new and improved caregiver pilot programs as the current Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot near their expiration date.
The current pilot programs are scheduled to end on June 17. The new pilot programs will allow home care workers to obtain permanent resident status upon their arrival in Canada, eliminating the need for a specific amount of work experience in the country.
Additionally, these workers will be allowed to work for organizations that offer temporary or part-time care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.
To be eligible, caregivers must:
- Attain a minimum of level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Have recent and relevant work experience
- Receive an offer for a full-time home care job
This criteria marks a change from the previous pilot programs, which required a CLB of 5 and a year of Canadian post-secondary education (or its foreign equivalent). The previous programs also included a work experience requirement of at least six months. The IRCC has not yet clarified the work experience requirement for the new pilot programs and says more details will be announced closer to the full launch.
In an IRCC news release, Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated, Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs must recognize their invaluable contributions. As we develop a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilot programs will not only enhance support for caregivers but also ensure families receive the quality care they deserve.
Caregivers in Canada
According to the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to welcome over 15,000 new permanent residents through caregiver programs. As of April 30, 2024, approximately 5,700 caregivers and their family members have obtained permanent residency since the launch of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019.
The demand for caregivers in Canada is rising as the population ages. Over the next six years, more than nine million Canadians are expected to retire, increasing the need for additional care in homes and institutions.
Additionally, a report by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence highlights urgent needs for caregivers in Canada. It notes that many caregivers are aged 65 and older, with nearly one in five over the age of 65. Senior caregivers are the least likely to access services or supports to help with their responsibilities.
Moreover, Canadian families need childcare providers as more women, who traditionally take on more caretaking duties for young children, seek to enter the workforce. Statistics Canada data from 2023 shows that the labour force participation rate for women aged 15 and older and across all education levels increased from 58.5% in 1990 to 61.5% in 2022, while the rate for men declined from 76.1% to 69.5% over the same period.
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