Canada’s new caregiver program to offer permanent residency to those qualified

TORONTO—Canada’s immigration minister announced new pilot programs and other enhancements to work permit applications for caregivers. 

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker, which will open for applications on Tuesday, June 18, are new pilot caregiver programs that would replace existing pilots that are soon expiring. 

Each will have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants per year, plus their immediate family.

Under the new programs, caregivers will only receive a work permit if they have a job offer in Canada and meet standard criteria for economic immigration programs. Once they gain the required 2 years of Canadian work experience, they can apply for permanent residency.

“We want people who are coming to work as caregivers in Canada to have a pathway to permanent residency. This is not a temporary foreign worker program,” Hussen said.

Other benefits under the new pilots are open work permits and study permits for the caregivers’ immediate family, the elimination of the Labor Market Impact Assessment, and the issuance of caregiver-specific work permits rather than employer-specific.

“One of the best things we’ve done is to empower those caregivers to be able to leave their employers by giving them a more flexible work permit. That’s a big change,” he said. 

In addition to the new pilots, the government has also extended the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, which will re-open ‪on July 8 and accept applications for 3 months. Still, advocates are lobbying for more considerations in favor of the many caregivers in limbo by removing or reducing the language and educational requirements.

While the new programs offer solutions to common hurdles that caregivers face in Canada, many are still uncertain they will meet the eligibility requirements. With the community’s continued support, they remain hopeful to gain landed status in the country they served for years.

Read more on Balitang America

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pinay caregiver advances in 'X Factor Israel' - report

MANILA - And she did it again. Caregiver Rose Fostanes once again received a standing ovation, not from the audience, but from fellow contestants of the reality television contest "X-Factor Israel".

Posts on social media said that the Tel-Aviv-based Fostanes made it to the second round of the reality show.

Before performing in front of the four judges during bootcamp, Fostanes bared her feelings and apprehensions toward other contestants.

"I feel that everybody is looking at me like I am an alien. I'm afraid that maybe nobody will talk to me because the Israeli see Filipinos working here in houses," she said.

"Communication with the people is a big challenge for me in the boot camp," she said.

In a conversation she had with a fellow contestant who sat beside her on a bench during the taped interview, she said that she is not that confident about herself.

"Maybe this is why I am afraid. When they say 'No, you sing very good' It's like I don't believe them. I don't know," she said.

For her, joining the X-Factor is not only about chasing her dream. But it is also about being able to provide a better future for her family in the Philippines.

"This is not a game. I am competing not only for myself, for my family because I want to help them. They are very poor in the Philippines," she said.

And when she described how she was feeling during the boot camp, Fostanes said, "My heart is 'tug,tog'. Because if you get one mistake, maybe your journey in X Factor will be gone and maybe your dream to be something else will all be finished."

Fostanes sang the Lady Gaga song "You and I' that not only captured the attention of the judges and fellow contestants, but their respect as well.

"You have to move. You have to fight. You have to be the best. Maybe it's not too late for me to have a good life," the 46-year-old said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinay caregiver’s dying wish comes true

CANADA – Another caregiver did not live long enough to savor the fruit of her labor.

Like the late Juana Tejada, an icon to many caregivers for her crusade in reforming the live-in caregiver program, Ruth Canda is another brave nanny who succeeded in convincing Immigration Canada to bring her family here on compassionate grounds.

Canda died in January after being diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Her battle with the big C caught the sympathy of the Filipino community.

Many organizations organized events to raise funds for her medical bills. A petition to the Citizenship Immigration Canada (CIC) was also circulated for her husband and son's visit visa.

Things were looking up for Canda when she was cleared of cancer and declared healthy enough to work.

Her family was also approved to visit and join her for the holidays.

Many thought that it was a happy ending for Canda. But the Pinay caregiver died on January 9 after complaining of backache and shortness of breath.

“She is so good, so loving, so generous to us. Every time I have a problem I talk to her. Don't worry ma, time will come you will count the dollar. I will never forget those words,” said her mother.

“Pinakamabait, wala na akong masabi. Ipinagalaban niyan yung sakit niya alam kong nakita ko sa wife ko na nahirapan siya panay pa rin sabi niya I'm OK,” said Canda’s husband Robert.

Canda's best friend knew her while still in Hong Kong. At her eulogy, she described Canda as ambitious, funny and caring whose wish in life was only to give the best for her family.

Until her last breath, Canda made sure not to put her family in hardship. She gave a no resuscitation order, had a life insurance and asked her employer to provide a job for her husband so he can legally stay in Canada.

source: abs-cbnnews.com