For thousands of home support and child-care workers across Canada, the federal Home Care Worker Pilot was supposed to offer a life-changing opportunity — permanent residency. But just hours after the application portal opened on Monday, that dream vanished. With more than 45,000 applicants scrambling for just 2,750 spots, the system buckled under pressure. Technical glitches, frozen pages, and crashed browsers left experienced workers out in the cold — with no second chance in sight.
Ghinger Marie Lastimosa, a nurse from the Philippines, moved to Canada in 2022. She applied the moment the program opened, hoping to secure her future working with elderly clients in Scarborough. Instead, she found herself stuck in an endless loop of portal errors and lost documents. Now, she fears deportation once her work permit expires.
Caregivers Deserve Better Than ‘Fastest Finger First’
The new Home Care Worker Pilot operates on a first-come, first-served basis. IRCC opened two streams — one for home support and another for child-care workers. But this year’s version dropped experience requirements from two years to just six months. Language proficiency standards were also lowered.
Immigration consultants say this meant less qualified applicants with faster internet connections had an advantage. Others, with years of service in Canadian homes, got locked out by a crashing system.
Kevin Thibbles, an immigration consultant, shared how he tried to submit six applications but succeeded with only two. “The portal froze. I had to tell long-time clients that they missed their only chance,” he said. “Some cried. It was heartbreaking.”
Similarly, Brampton-based consultant Manan Gupta warned that many skilled caregivers will fall out of status. He’s concerned that IRCC’s process shut out workers Canada actually needs — especially in Ontario, where over 50,000 personal support workers (PSWs) are required by 2032.
IRCC’s Pilot Sparks Call for Change in Caregiver Immigration System
IRCC defended the system, saying it “strives to provide equal opportunity” by allowing anyone who meets the criteria to apply. But critics argue the department missed a key point — merit.
Why not let all eligible workers apply and assess them based on experience, language, and genuine employment? Instead, years of service were overlooked in favor of speed and stable Internet.
The current process has left too many dreams hanging. And while IRCC says another intake will open next year, for many, that might be too late.
Canada Needs a Fairer Home Care Pilot to Support Real Talent
The Home Care Worker Pilot in its current form is not just inefficient — it’s unfair. If Canada truly values its caregivers, the system must shift from “first come, first served” to a merit-based approach. With the country relying on these workers more than ever, shutting out qualified talent is a risk we can’t afford.
The Home Care Worker Pilot remains a critical tool for Canada’s immigration strategy — but only if it works for the right people. Whether it’s permanent residency, work permits, study visas, or pilot programs like the Home Care Worker Pilot, ImmigCanada ensures every client receives clear guidance and strong representation throughout their journey. We stay updated on the latest immigration policies to help our clients make informed and timely decisions.
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