Julia (a pseudonym) came to Canada to work through the then "Live-in Caregiver Program" in 2010. The program, which ran from 1992 to 2014, allowed caregivers to apply for permanent residency (PR) after working for a single employer for two years.

However, 15 years later, Julia not only failed to obtain PR but also lost her legal status in Canada.

Despite seemingly simple contract terms, caregivers like Julia who dreamed of Canadian PR faced harsh realities and complex challenges.

For Julia, who has been "undocumented" in Canada for nine years, this dream now seems out of reach.

Source: OMNI NEWS

The Reality Dilemma of the Live-in Caregiver Program

Julia still cannot understand why her PR application was rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2012.

"They required proof of 24 months of work experience, and I submitted my tax assessment form," Julia said. "But my application was denied, and I received no clear reason for rejection."

Although IRCC continued to request additional evidence of work experience, they did not specify what documents were needed.

Since then, Julia has been striving to find ways to restore her legal status. When she learned that the newly launched "Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots" on March 31, 2025, reserved very few slots for undocumented caregivers, she briefly regained hope.

However, due to extremely limited quotas (only about 150 allocated), the pilot channels quickly filled up and closed, leaving Julia unable to secure a spot.

"I just want a fair chance to compete," Julia said helplessly. "From all perspectives, we have little chance of success."

Source: OMNI NEWS

The Immigrant System Favoring Employers Breeds Exploitation

"Canada keeps saying it needs caregivers, that we are indispensable, and that they care about those who take care of others... but do you really care about us?" former caregiver Jhoey Dulaca questioned.

Dulaca is now an organizer for the Change Alliance, an Ontario-based immigrant worker rights organization. She encounters the plight of immigrant workers daily: loss of legal status, blocked PR applications, and even cases of employer exploitation. She herself is one of the victims.

Dulaca arrived in Canada through the Live-in Caregiver Program LMIA channel in 2016 and narrowly avoided losing her status after fleeing abuse by her employer.

"I worked 12-15 hours a day, but only counted as 7 hours," Dulaca said. "I was constantly belittled and insulted. Finally, I couldn't bear it anymore and had to leave."

However, most caregivers endure exploitation rather than resist it, fearing they might lose their future chance to apply for PR.

Registered immigration consultant Jecris Tubigon pointed out: "No matter how painful, they dare not make a move because they hope to stay in Canada and reunite with their families overseas as soon as possible."

Tubigon also stated that, in his view, Canada's immigration system has historically favored employers over workers.

Source: OMNI NEWS

Broken Family Reunion Dreams and Despair from Application Backlogs

Maila Casido came to Canada as a caregiver in 2013, and after working for two years, she eagerly submitted her PR application, hoping her husband and six children would join her.

However, her family reunion dream was put on hold for years due to IRCC's backlog of cases.

Casido recalled: "When they told me I was on the backlog list, it felt like the sky was falling. How long will this go on?"

She contacted members of parliament multiple times for help, but to no avail.

It wasn't until seven years later that her application was finally approved, allowing her to reunite with her family. By the time she met them at the airport, her children had grown into adults.

"I hardly recognized them," Casido said tearfully.

Source: OMNI NEWS

Call to Convert Temporary Programs into Permanent Policies

Caregivers and advocacy organizations criticized the latest pilot project as "problematic," stating that it gave people "false hope." Although it lowered education and language requirements, the extremely limited quotas and chaotic government website systems excluded many applicants.

Tubigon criticized: "Applicants flooded in, but many ended up disappointed. This didn't solve the problem; instead, it compounded it. The government just added more applicants stuck in the system."

Over the years, Canada has introduced several temporary channels and pilot projects, but thousands of caregivers continue to struggle in the rapidly changing immigration policy gaps.

Casido called out: "Cases that have already been submitted and are still waiting should be prioritized before launching new programs. Ensure no one is forgotten."

As the federal election approaches, caregivers and advocacy groups hope the new government will earnestly fulfill previous promises, review existing policies, and address the issues.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497749215561400884/

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