Thousands of foreign caregivers in Canada face uncertainty as Ottawa delays the launch of new permanent residency pathway programs. The situation emerged after the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot programs ended in June 2023, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing new pilots that have yet to materialize. The delay affects workers who entered Canada on temporary permits since 2019, potentially forcing them to leave the country or risk illegal status. IRCC states they need time to process existing applications, with details of new programs promised in “coming months,” leaving many caregivers in precarious positions.
