Canada has unveiled new caregiver pilot programs as the expiration date for the current Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot approaches.
The existing programs ended on June 17. The new pilot programs will provide home care workers with permanent resident status upon arrival in Canada instead of requiring specific work experience in the country.
Additionally, these caregivers 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 qualify, caregivers must:
- Achieve a minimum level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- Possess the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Have recent and relevant work experience
- Obtain a full-time home care job offer
This marks a departure from the previous programs, which required a CLB of 5 and one year of Canadian post-secondary education (or its foreign equivalent), along with at least six months of work experience. The work experience requirement for the new programs has not been clarified yet, and more details will be released closer to the full launch.
In an IRCC press release, Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated, “Caregivers play a vital role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs must reflect their significant contributions. As we move towards a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilots will enhance support for caregivers and 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 increasing as the population ages. Over the next six years, more than nine million Canadians are expected to retire, resulting in a greater need for additional care at home or in institutions.
Furthermore, the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence recently released a report highlighting urgent needs for caregivers in Canada. It notes, “Many caregivers are 65+ and may also require care. Nearly one in five caregivers are over the age of 65. Senior caregivers are least likely to access services or support to assist with their responsibilities.”
Lastly, Canadian families require childcare providers as more women, who typically take on more caretaking duties for young children, seek to join the workforce. Statistics Canada data from 2023 indicated that:
“Annually, the labor force participation rate for women aged 15 and older and across all education levels increased from 58.5% in 1990 (the beginning of the current data series) to 61.5% in 2022. For men, the rate declined from 76.1% to 69.5% over the same period.”