December 14, 2009

Proposed Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program


The proposed improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program will be published in Canada Gazette on December 19 for a 30-day comment period open to all Canadians. Final regulatory changes in Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) will be published after this period.

The following are the proposed significant changes:

  • Elimination of the requirement for live-in caregivers to undergo a second medical examination when applying to become permanent residents. Remember the late Juana Tejada? This is the result of what she had fought for.

  • A chance for live-in caregivers to apply for permanent residence sooner. Under the new measure, the 3,900 work hours standard work week for two years may now include a portion of overtime hours rendered by live-in caregivers.

  • The proposed regulations will also require employers of live-in caregivers to pay for:
    * travel costs for live-in caregivers to come to Canada;
    * medical insurance until live-in caregivers become eligible for provincial health coverage; and
    * workplace safety insurance and any recruiting fees owed to third parties.

  • For more information on the Proposed Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program, click here.