Caregivers will get PR status on arrival under new pilot programs. The existing pilot programs will expire on June 17.
In their place, the new pilot programs will grant home workers with the permanent resident status whether they arrive in Canada, rather than requiring a certain work experience in the country.
They will also be permitted to work for ‘organizations that provide temporary or part-time employment for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness’.
In order to be eligible, caregivers should:
- Attain a minimum level 4 based on the Canadian Level Benchmark
- Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Have a recent/ relevant work experience
- Obtain an offer letter for a full-time home care job
This criteria marks a change from the previous pilot programs, which required a CLB of five and a year of Canadian post-secondary education. The programs also included a work experience requirement for a minimum of six months. IRCC has yet to make it clear that the work experience requirement will be under the new pilot programs and states that more details will be declared closer to the complete launch.
In an IRCC news release, Marc Miller stated that caregivers play an integral role in supporting Canadian families and the programs reflect their invaluable contributions. As permanent caregiver programs are implemented, the two pilot programs will improve support for caregivers and offer families the quality care they deserve.
Caregivers In Canada
Caregivers will get PR status on arrival under new pilot programs. According to the 2024 – 2026 Immigration Levels Program, Canada expects to welcome more than 15,000 new permanent residents via caregiver programs. Moreover, as of April 30, 2024, over 5,700 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents since the launch of the Home 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, over nine million Canadians will retire. This implies that over the coming years, more individuals will need additional care in their homes or institutions.
Furthermore, the Canadian Center of Caregiving Excellence recently published a report highlighting the pressing needs of caregivers in Canada. Among them, it notes that many caregivers are 65+ and might also need care. Nearly one in five caregivers are over the age of 65. Moreover, senior caregivers are likely to access any services or support to help with their possibilities.
Lastly, families in Canada need a childcare provider as more women who take on the role of caretaking duties for young children seek to enter the workforce. Statistics Canada data found that on an annual basis, the labor force participation rate for women aged 15 years older and all education levels grew from 58.6% in 1990 to 61.5% in 2022. The rate of men declined from 76.1% to 69.5% over the same period.
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