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“The two new pilot programs — Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker — announced by Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen in June — allow caregivers to leave behind an abusive workplace and change employers as their work permits will no longer be tied to the family that brings them here. The changes will also allow their loved ones to work and study in Canada.”
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“According to the immigration department’s website, a family of four needs $23,542 to be eligible to apply under the new programs. However, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the average annual Filipino family income is only about $6,810, with annual savings of $1,326.”
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“Immigration department spokesperson Beatrice Fenelon said the pilots simply feature criteria that is standard for economic immigration programs, such as minimum education and official language criteria, along with a requirement for the caregiver to gain Canadian work experience.”
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“Under the new programs, applicants are required to submit both their work permit and permanent residence applications together. They will receive a three-year occupation-specific work permit if they meet all the “select” permanent residence criteria. As in the old programs, a caregiver must acquire two years of Canadian work experience to be granted permanent residence.”
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“Fenelon would not comment on concerns raised by caregivers and their advocates over settlement funds, but said all processing fees for other economic immigration programs apply to applicants to the new caregiver programs.”
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“Caregivers Action Centre’s Manso said the community is calling on Ottawa to remove the financial requirement, as well as the language and post-secondary education conditions, which also pose barriers for those who have the necessary skills but lack the formal qualifications and documentation.”