Authored by Renz Grospe, Barrister & Solicitor, RCG Legal.
For thousands of hopeful caregivers in Canada, March 31, 2025, was supposed to be their big break. After years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, they finally had a chance at permanent residency through the Caregiver Program.
But instead, it turned into a frustrating game of “will my application load in time?” It was like they had stepped into an episode of Squid Game, the popular Netflix series and South Korean dystopian survival thriller horror — except, instead of licking candy, they were frantically refreshing a broken immigration portal.
Round One: The Waiting Game
At 10 a.m., the portal was finally opened for applications, and Canada’s caregivers braced themselves for their shot at permanent residency. The excitement was palpable. Caregivers and their representatives refreshed their screens like players in Squid Game staring down a countdown to Red Light, Green Light. They were just one click away from submitting their online application.
But as soon as the website went live, it felt like everyone had been sent to a slaughterhouse of technical failure. The system crashed or slowed down. For hours, caregivers and representatives sat helplessly in front of their computers, staring at error messages and spinning loading circles. It was like waiting for the Red Light, Green Light doll to scream, “Stop!” but instead, the doll was a never-ending error page. Ouch.
Round Two: The Great Digital Sprint
When the website finally limped back to life, it was already too late for many. By 3 p.m., the spots were gone—all 5,500 of them. And just like that, the hopefuls were left standing, bewildered, like a player whose glass bridge had shattered beneath them.
Here’s the kicker: 4,950 spots were specifically allocated for applicants who completed the online application process right away. These spots filled faster than you could say “refresh.” It was like a frantic game of musical chairs, with only a few lucky ones securing a seat.
A History of False Hopes and Shifting Rules
Back in 2014, the Conservative government changed the rules, removing the live-in requirement but adding stricter language and education criteria—because nothing says “you’re valuable” like raising the bar while cutting the opportunities in half.
The Liberals took over the caregiver pilots in 2019 and renewed them. The 2024 revamp under Immigration Minister Marc Miller promised several key changes: permanent residency at the outset, lower language requirements, and expanded work settings.
On paper, it looked like a win. In practice? Not so much.
5,500 Spots? That’s Not Enough Candy.
Despite Canada’s desperate need for caregivers, only 5,500 spots were available for workers in Canada stream. The math doesn’t add up: Canada needs far more caregivers than this.
After all, these individuals are the lifeblood of care for seniors, children, and people with high medical needs. So why is the government limiting this essential lifeline to just a tiny pool of applicants?
So, what needs to change?
The fiasco of March 31 wasn’t just about a broken website—it was a failure of policy. If Canada wants to attract and retain caregivers, urgent reforms are needed:
1. Raise the Cap to 11,000
- Demand for caregivers is growing, but only 5,500 applicants are accepted yearly. Increasing this limit will help more caregivers secure jobs and permanent residency.
2. Fix the Website
- Caregivers shouldn’t have to battle technical glitches. A stable, user-friendly system is essential for a smooth application process.
3. Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Caregivers can first register their interest. If selected through a lottery or ranking system, they’ll have a set time (like 60 days) to submit a full application. This saves time and money for those who aren’t selected.
4. Application-Based Selection
- Only complete applications should be accepted. This ensures only serious applicants apply, making processing faster and more efficient.
5. Drop the Job Offer Requirement
- Caregivers already working in Canada shouldn’t have to scramble for new job offers. Removing this step will prevent unnecessary stress and job offer scams.
6. Extend Work Permits
- LMIA-based work permits, under the low-wage stream, should last two to three years instead of just one.
- Even better, caregivers should qualify for restricted open work permits upon entry, or at least after gaining Canadian experience, so they can change employers—especially in cases of abuse—without risking their status.
7. Recognize PSW Experience
- Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in long-term care and retirement homes should have their work experience counted toward eligibility.
8. Speed Up Processing
- Long delays only create more problems. A faster, more efficient system will help caregivers move forward without unnecessary waiting.
The Final Verdict?
Canada needs caregivers! These workers aren’t just playing a game—they’re building the future of this country. It’s time for the IRCC to recognize their invaluable contributions, fix its tech, and increase the number of spots to meet the real needs of this country.
Because no one should have to gamble their future on a broken website. And honestly? The Squid Game comparison is getting a little too real.
