Golden opportunity to improve two critically needed worker programs

In a nutshell: The Home Childcare Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot are set to expire in June 2024. It presents an opportunity for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to revamp the caregiver programming to better respond to the needs of Canadian families while protecting foreign caregivers from abuse.

Canada has relied on foreign caregivers and home support workers since the 19th century. “The value of this small but longstanding program cannot be overstated, the Section writes. “It has enabled and continues to enable Canadians, particularly women, to advance their own careers while offering individualized care for their children.”

However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in the two pilot programs. The CBA Section proposes a new iteration of the caregiver regime.

Eliminate the in-home care requirement

The CBA Section notes that employers need flexible care solutions that respect caregivers’ rights to safe working conditions, independent oversight, and predictable immigration outcomes.

Among its recommendations is the elimination of the “in-home” care requirement, which would allow private caregivers to support staff in healthcare and childcare institutions.

Remove the requirement of a job offer from abroad

Should the program return to a “direct-to-employer” model, the Section suggests eliminating the requirement that caregivers secure a job offer before applying. This change would address the lengthy processing delays — which can stretch up to three years — that both caregivers and employers face. “Removing this requirement would increase procedural fairness without compromising program integrity,” the CBA letter reads.

In addition, the revised programs should use trusted third-party service providers or agencies to match caregivers with employers, to better align service offerings with demand.

Read the full submission.