A new pilot program grants caregivers PR on arrival in Canada. As the current Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs near their expiration, Canada has announced the commencement of new, improved caregiver pilot programs. New pilot programs will replace the current ones, scheduled to end on June 17, granting home care providers permanent resident (PR) status upon entering Canada.
This important modification does away with the necessity that one obtain a particular amount of work experience within the nation in order to qualify for permanent residence (PR) status. The new caregiver pilot program seeks to expedite the immigration procedure and offer immediate stability to individuals arriving to work as home care providers by granting permanent status to caregivers upon arrival in Canada.
The new pilot programs will also allow caregivers 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 need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Attain at least level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
- Hold a qualification equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
- Demonstrate recent and relevant work experience.
- Secure a full-time job offer in home care.
This qualification is a change from the previous pilot programs, which called for a year of post-secondary study in Canada (or its international equivalent) and a CLB level of 5. Additionally, the previous programs required a minimum of six months of work experience.
The IRCC has not yet specified the kind of job experience required for the new pilot programs. Further information will be released closer to the time of the programs’ official debut.
In an IRCC press release, Minister of Immigration Marc Miller emphasized the importance of recognizing caregivers’ invaluable contributions, highlighting their critical role in supporting Canadian families. The introduction of these two new trials aims to bolster caregiver support and ensure families receive the high-quality care they require, as efforts continue to establish a permanent caregivers program.
Canada’s Caregivers
Through caregiver programs, Canada expects to admit over 15,000 additional permanent residents, as detailed in the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan. Since the launch of the Home Support Worker and Home Child Care Provider Pilots in 2019, almost 5,700 caregivers and their families have gained permanent residency as of April 30, 2024.
The aging population in Canada is driving up demand for caretakers. More than nine million Canadians are expected to retire over the next six years. This indicates that the need for more care, either at home or in an institution, will only increase.
Furthermore, a recent report published by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence highlights the urgent requirements of caregivers in Canada. According to the survey, a sizable percentage of caregivers are 65 years of age or older, and they may need care themselves. This age group includes almost one in five caregivers; senior caregivers are the least likely to receive any kind of support or service to help them with their caring duties.
Additionally, families across Canada require childcare providers, particularly as more women, who historically shoulder a larger share of childcare responsibilities, aspire to enter the workforce. According to data from Statistics Canada in 2023, the yearly labor force participation rate for women aged 15 and older has risen consistently. It increased from 58.5% in 1990 (the start of the current data series) to 61.5% in 2022. Women’s increasing participation in the workforce has been observed across all education levels. On the other hand, within the same time frame, men’s participation fell from 76.1% to 69.5%.