New Pilot Program Grants Permanent Residence to Overseas Caregivers

Canada is set to offer permanent residency to caregivers upon their arrival under two new pilot programs, as announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller. These initiatives will provide a streamlined path for nannies, child-care workers, and home-support workers to settle in Canada.

The new pilots are improved versions of existing programs that were due to expire on June 17. They will now allow caregivers working with organizations providing temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from illness or injury to qualify for permanent residency. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these programs are intended to become permanent and aim to admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents within the next two years.

Minister Miller emphasized the importance of caregivers in supporting Canadian families and noted that these programs are designed to reflect the value of their contributions. The enhanced pilots will offer improved support for caregivers and ensure families receive high-quality care.

The existing programs, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, permit qualified caregivers and their families to come to Canada with the goal of obtaining permanent residency. The application process is contingent on the applicants' roles and their qualifying work experience. Caregivers must pass an English language test at level 5, higher than the requirement for citizenship, have two years of work experience, and possess the equivalent of one year of postsecondary education.

To qualify for the new pilot programs, foreign caregivers must have a full-time job offer in home care, meet the language requirements, have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, and possess relevant work experience. IRCC stated that this new pathway would make it easier for caregivers to find reliable employment and gain straightforward access to permanent resident status upon arrival in Canada.

Jenny Kwan, the NDP's immigration critic, highlighted the shortage of caregivers in Canada and the exploitation and abuse many face due to their precarious immigration status. She called for an end to classifying caregivers as "low-skill" workers, given their crucial role in Canadian society. Kwan criticized the stringent language and education requirements, introduced before Justin Trudeau's tenure as Prime Minister, which she believes have hindered caregivers' ability to settle in Canada.

Since the introduction of the pilot programs in 2019, nearly 5,700 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents as of April 30. These new initiatives are expected to further simplify the process and offer more support to those who play a vital role in the well-being of many Canadians.