Canada has had a number of foreign caregiver programs over the years. Each has worn the mark of the government of the day. In this context, it is not surprising that the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, announced on February 23, 2019, changes to the current programs which were designed and implemented by the Harper Conservatives. Later this year, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will unveil two new five-year pilot programs:
the Home Childcare Provider Pilot; and
the Home Support Worker Pilot.
The programs will replace the “Caring for Children” and “Caring for People with High Medical Needs” pilot programs that expire on November 29, 2019.
The details of the two new pilot programs have yet to be provided; however, there are some indicators of what to expect. These early signs speak to a more facilitative approach - one that considers the aspirations of care workers and their families. For instance, we have learnt that:
Care workers will be able to apply for Study Permits for their children and Open Work Permits for their spouses or common-law partners.
IRCC will assess whether a care worker meets requirements for permanent residence before she or he is approved for a Work Permit and comes to Canada.
Once in Canada, the main criteria for Permanent Residence remaining will be a two-year work experience requirement; and
Care workers will have improved ability to change employers.
The Minister has also announced a new “Interim Pathway for Caregivers” that will open shortly, albeit, for only three (3) months ~ from March 4, 2019, until June 4, 2019. This program is intended to provide a pathway for certain care workers who ceased to be eligible for permanent residence following the introduction of the “Caring for Children” and “Caring for People with High Medical Needs” pilot programs in 2014. To qualify, care workers must:
Be admissible to Canada.
Have a valid work permit or be awaiting a decision on an application to extend a work permit or restore status as a worker.
Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience since November 20, 2014, as a home childcare provider (NOC 4411) and/or home support worker (NOC 4412); • Have taken an IRCC-approved language test and scored at least CLB 5 in English or NLCL 5 in French in all language abilities.
Hold a Canadian secondary school diploma or its equivalent; and
Intend to reside in a province other than Quebec.
The new programs acknowledge and appear to address many of the problems with the present and earlier care worker programs. We are cautiously optimistic therefore that the immigration challenges that care workers, and their employers, face will indeed become more manageable.
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This update has been compiled with the latest available information for the general information of Border Law clients and other interested parties. This Update is not comprehensive and should not be relied upon without appropriate legal advice.