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Demand soars for live-in nannies |
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Work permits issued under the so-called "Nanny Program" have more than
doubled over the last five years, as more and more immigrants seek to
bring in hired help after they move to Canada.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 5,819 work permits
were issued under the federal Live-In Caregiver Program in 2004,
compared to just 2,211 in 2000.
More than 4,700 principal live-in caregivers and 2,800 of their spouses
and dependants actually landed in Canada in 2003 and 2004.
Close to 90 per cent of those who move to Canada under this program
come from the Philippines. The numbers from India are rising sharply
too, up from just two in 2000 to 334 in 2004. Processing is backlogged
at visa offices in both countries.
Placement agencies say there is a huge shortage of live-in caregivers,
and the pent-up demand means the number of applications is likely to
soar.
The caregiver program requires applicants to have high school
equivalency, six months' training or a year of direct experience, and
knowledge of English or French.
The program is unique in that, unlike other work-permit categories, it
lets caregivers apply for permanent residence from within Canada three
years after arrival, once they have completed at least 24 months of
live-in employment.
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Newsfile 
