Canada Lunches Permanent Residency-on-Arrival Program for Caregivers

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has introduced a pioneering initiative that grants caregivers permanent residency upon their arrival in the country.

This new program is scheduled to launch by the end of 2024 or early 2025 at the latest, replacing the soon-to-expire Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs.

Unlike the previous caregiver pilot programs that mandated a specific amount of work experience in Canada, this new initiative offers immediate permanent residency to caregivers upon their arrival.

It aims to meet the changing home care demands of the nation while acknowledging and honoring the indispensable contributions made by home care professionals.

Miller emphasized the crucial role played by caregivers in supporting Canadian families and stressed the need for our programs to recognize and appreciate their significant contributions.

The upcoming permanent caregivers program, along with two new pilot initiatives, aims to enhance caregiver support and ensure that families receive high-quality care.

These fresh programs will replace the current pilots expiring on June 17, offering caregivers opportunities to work with organizations providing temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recuperating from injury or illness.

Unlike the previous criteria which required a CLB of 5, a year of Canadian post-secondary education or its foreign equivalent, and at least six months of work experience, eligibility for the new caregiver program now includes achieving a minimum CLB level of 4, possessing a Canadian high school diploma equivalent, having recent and relevant work experience, and securing an offer for a full-time home care position.

The demand for caregivers in Canada is increasing due to the aging population. Canada plans to welcome over 15,000 new permanent residents through caregiver programs between 2024 and 2026.

Since the introduction of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019, around 5,700 caregivers and their families have obtained permanent residency by April 30, 2024.

A recent study from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence emphasizes the pressing requirements of caregivers in Canada, highlighting that many are elderly themselves and may need care as well.

Approximately 20% of caregivers are aged 65 and above, with senior caregivers being the least inclined to seek assistance or resources for their caregiving duties, as per the report.

Moreover, the rising demand for childcare services is attributed to the growing number of women joining the workforce, who have traditionally been the main caregivers for young children.

The specific work experience criteria for the upcoming pilot programs by IRCC remain undisclosed, with further information expected closer to the official launch date of these initiatives.