Information for Canadian Families
Step 1: Effective January 1, 2009, every employer that wishes to hire a foreign live in caregiver must first place an advertisment in the Job Bank at www.jobbank.gc.ca. The ad must run for a minimum of 2 weeks, and proof of this must be provided. You must also keep a log of any applicants received, and your reasons for not offering the position to someone within Canada.
Step 2: The second step with considering whether or not a caregiver is right for your family is, of course, to weigh the pros and cons. Employing a foreign live in caregiver is a new and exciting experience and offers the following:
- You have the option to have your caregiver assist with house-keeping, household chores, and cooking
- Quality one-on-one care for your children.
- Security that you will have child care for your children - no more switching daycares or finding babysitters
- No unexpected fee increases
- No more driving your child(ren) to one, or more, daycares - avoid the morning rush!
- Having an extra hand frees up your time, allowing you to have more quality time with your family
- If you have 2 or more children - having a caregiver may be cheaper than daycare
- Most foreign caregivers dream to come to Canada. They want to come here and they want to work hard to please you. If they are given this opportunity they will put their full heart into their work
- You have the option to have your caregiver do the things that you want them to do with your household and family
Step 3: Once you make the decision that having a caregiver is right for your family, the next step is to find the perfect caregiver. Every nanny enrolled in my program must meet the following requirements:
- Must have completed the equivalent of a high school education or higher
- Must have at least 12 months of full-time paid employment in a field related to the job they are seeking as a live-in caregiver.
- Must be fluent and able to speak, read, and understand English
- Must have a valid passport
- Must be at least 19 years old
- Must pass a RCMP / Police Criminal Record Check
- Must pass a complete medical examination
- Must provide a current photograph
We also ask that they try to provide at least one work-related reference and a complete resume, including their experience, schooling, courses and training.
From the list of eligible caregivers, you are able to select as many candidates to interview as you wish. As all of the caregivers are from a foreign country, you can interview them by telephone, web camera or email. Filipino caregivers have such a beautiful personality that I am sure that you will be able to pick one that you feel will fit with your family.
Step 4: Make a job offer
Once you find the perfect caregiver for your family and they accept your job offer, the paperwork can begin!
I will assist you with all the required documents you need to complete to hire your caregiver. This will avoid any unnecessary delay and error....and a few unnecessary headaches! The requirements to hire a caregiver differ from province to province. Some documents that may be completed include:
- Intent to hire letter (provided to the cargiver that you wish to offer a position to)
- Intent to hire a domestic worker (required in British Columbia)
- Labour market opinion (LMO) application to the federal government.
- Employment Contract
- Advertising requirements may be required depending on the province you reside in.
Once a positive LMO is received, the paperwork can be forwarded to the caregiver that you intend to hire. It is then the caregiver`s responsibility to apply for a work permit in the country they are residing in. The processing time for these papers differ depending on the work load and country they reside in. In general, it can take between 8 and 16 weeks.
I will remain in steady contract with the caregiver you intend to hire, and assist them with any documentation required on their end. I will further assist with any contact that may be needed to the Embassy or any other government body involved.
