The federal government says the number of foreign workers in the Live-in Caregiver Program applying for permanent residency has reduced drastically over the past three years.
On Saturday, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi announced the number has dropped from 62,000 to 23,000 cases.
“The reason we did that is because we value the work caregivers do and we understand the aspirations that they have to become Canadians,” Sohi said.
“Caregivers who have demonstrated commitment to Canada and to Canadian families deserve to be part of that dream to become a Canadian.”
The federal program allows families to hire someone from another country to live with them and provide care for children, seniors and people with medical needs or disabilities. After two years in the program, the caregiver can then apply to become a permanent resident.
READ MORE: Government changes live-in caregiver program
In 2014, the program was changed so new applicants were no longer required to live in their employers’ homes.
On Saturday, Sohi said the government’s goal is to reduce the number of caregivers still waiting for permanent residency by 80 per cent by the end of 2018.
The government also said it plans to finalize 80 per cent of new complete applications within one year that were submitted at or after Oct. 1, 2017.
“Government has heard your comments and concerns, and while many live-in caregiver applicants have faced long delay in family separation, you can rest assured that you will receive a decision on your application soon,” Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault said.
READ MORE: Federal live-in caregiver program being criticized for exploiting workers
The program has been criticised over the years for exploiting caregivers. Some workers who have been part of the program have said they felt disposable and less than human.
Workers have complained their hands are tied when their employers ask them to work unpaid overtime or do tasks that are outside of their job description. They can’t decline without risking their job.
— With files from The Canadian Press
Comments