Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s immigration policies are coming under increasing scrutiny as rumors circulate that he is considering resigning amid political pressure and declining public support. Among them, the tightening of pathways to permanent residency for temporary workers has sparked widespread concern, particularly that it could weaken Canada’s health care system.
The Trudeau government has made immigration a core policy area, but recent decisions reflect a shift toward reducing the number of temporary residents. Under his leadership, the goal is to reduce the share of temporary residents in Canada from 7 per cent of the population to 5 per cent by 2026. Critics, however, argue that these policies pose serious challenges to important sectors that rely on immigrant workers, including caregivers who are critical to supporting Canada’s aging population.
Since 2019, Canada’s Family Child Care Provider and Family Support Worker pilot program has enabled foreign nannies to work in Canada while obtaining permanent residency. However, these plans expired in June and replacements have not yet been launched. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said a backlog of applications under the old program was to blame for the delays. While the government has promised to provide details of the new pathway “in the coming months”, the prolonged uncertainty has left thousands of workers in a precarious position.
Many caregivers, primarily women, now face the prospect of losing their legal status or being forced to leave Canada. At the same time, the need for caregivers is higher than ever, with both the healthcare system and families relying on their contributions. Canada’s aging population has made nursing a critical sector, but delays and restrictions in immigration policy are threatening the stability of the workforce.
The impact of these policies is being keenly felt. A caregiver from the Philippines who had been working in Canada since 2019 found out that her temporary work permit expired this year. As her application for permanent residence was rejected under a previous scheme, she now faces deportation after exhausting her temporary visa options. Another caregiver, a recent graduate of a Personal Support Work program, was also at risk of losing her status due to stricter immigration requirements.
These cases are not isolated. The government received more than 37,000 applications for the nursing staff pilot scheme between 2019 and 2023, but fewer than 2,600 were approved. Delays in processing these programs average 31 to 34 months, which only exacerbates uncertainty and leaves many workers in legal and professional limbo.
Critics argue that these policies reflect a mismatch between Canada’s immigration goals and its labor market needs. Advocacy groups warn that such delays and restrictions will exacerbate labor shortages in critical areas such as health care and elder care. Without adequate support from caregivers, homes and healthcare services could face significant disruptions, further straining an already stretched system.
Trudeau’s broader immigration strategy has drawn both praise and criticism, but it is now in the spotlight as doubts grow about his political prospects. While his government has generally advocated ambitious immigration targets, the treatment of temporary workers, particularly in care roles, highlights a growing disconnect between policy goals and reality on the ground.
For many caregivers, delays and policy shifts are more than just bureaucratic hurdles, they symbolize a lack of recognition for their contributions. These workers who help raise children, care for seniors and support Canadian families are now questioning whether the country they serve can provide them with a secure future.
As Trudeau considers his legacy and political exit, his immigration policies could have far-reaching consequences that could affect the future of Canada’s health care system and its ability to care for the most vulnerable. Whether his administration can address these key challenges in time remains to be seen, but the stakes have never been higher.
