Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the launch of new pilot programs aimed at supporting caregivers and Canadian families. These programs are set to begin in 2024 and will replace the existing Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot programs, which are set to close on June 17, 2024.
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The key changes in the new pilot programs include:
- Providing caregivers with permanent residency upon arrival in Canada.
- eliminating the requirement to attain at least 12 months of full-time Canadian work experience before processing their application for permanent residence under the current pilots
- Lowering the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement from level 5 to level 4
- Reducing the education requirement from a one-year post-secondary program credential to the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Expanding occupational requirements beyond traditional roles in private homes, allowing caregivers to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from an injury or illness
Caregiver Rights Advocates Celebrate the Changes
Caregiver rights advocate Allan Basa, who led a petition last year to Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressing their concerns, welcomed the changes and believes Minister Miller would grant everything. Allan Basa further said “Caregivers are happy because this has been a long struggle.”
Fil-Canadian Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez assured caregivers of the government’s continued support during the event.
Pending Permanent Residency Applications
Caregivers in Canada are hopeful that the government will implement a program to fast-track the processing of their pending permanent residency applications.
Noemi Buenconsejo, who has spent eight years in Canada, left her three children in the Philippines in the hopes of giving them a brighter future. Tragically, her youngest child passed away in 2023 while her permanent residency application was still in process. “Because of my dream to give my children a better future, I made the sacrifice of coming here. My child’s wish to come here was not fulfilled but I hope it will be granted soon.”
Again, Basa revealed that in their meeting with Minister Miller, the issue concerning caregivers awaiting their PR application processing was also discussed. “I explained to him (Miller) that caregivers’ applications often take up to five years,” said Basa. “Employers may have passed away yet their cases remain unresolved.”
Conclusion
The new caregiver immigration pilot programs announced by the Canadian government represent a significant step forward in supporting caregivers and Canadian families. By providing permanent residency upon arrival, the government aims to make it easier for caregivers to settle in Canada. Again, lowering language and education requirements is another initiative aimed at facilitating caregiver integration into Canadian society.
However, the government must also address the backlog of pending permanent residency applications and ensure that caregivers already in Canada are not left behind. By fast-tracking these applications and providing support to caregivers awaiting their permanent residency, the government can demonstrate its commitment to supporting the caregiving community.
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