Canada Launches New Programs to Support Caregivers and Families, Aiming for Permanent Solutions

Caregivers from abroad are essential to the well-being of Canadian families. Their dedication greatly impacts the lives of children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

As the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot wrap up later this month, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced the introduction of new, improved caregiver pilot programs. These programs aim to ensure that caregivers can continue to support Canadian families, with plans to make these programs permanent.

The new pilot programs offer home care workers the opportunity to obtain permanent residence (PR) upon their arrival in Canada. Additionally, caregivers will be able to work with organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from injuries or illnesses. This new pathway simplifies the process for caregivers to secure employment with reliable employers and ensures immediate access to permanent resident status upon their arrival.

To be eligible for these new pilot programs, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Achieve a minimum of level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
• Possess the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
• Have recent and relevant work experience
• Receive an offer for a full-time home care job

These PR on arrival pilot programs represent a significant advancement in addressing Canada’s evolving home care needs. More detailed information, including full eligibility criteria and application processes, will be available soon as we prepare for the full launch of the pilots.