Evidence of meeting #17 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was caregivers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Agatha Mason Executive Director, Intercede
We have someone here, my colleague, who went to the washroom.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We'll wait for that person to proceed, but we'll carry on with the meeting. When that person returns....
Ms. Beboso.
Aimée Beboso Member, Migrante Ontario
Good morning. Thank you for having us.
My name is Aimée Beboso. I'm a board member of the Philippine Migrants Society of Canada, a grassroots organization here in Ottawa. We're a member of Migrante Ontario.
We represent migrant workers. A majority of our membership are live-in caregivers who work under the live-in caregiver program.
Conservative
Executive Director, Intercede
I can't hear you. I had a terrible flight coming in here. My ears are blocked up; I'm not hearing you clearly.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I draw to the attention of both of you that there are earphones. Sometimes we will speak English; sometimes we will speak French.
Do you hear me now, Ms. Mason?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
If Ms. Quash attends, she is welcome, but we have to keep moving.
So do you have some introductory comments, Ms. Mason?
Executive Director, Intercede
Actually, she was going to do the introductory comments.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We're going to proceed with questions.
We'll suspend for a minute, Ms. Mason. We'll suspend until Ms. Quash returns.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We're going to reconvene.
Ms. Eunice Quash of Intercede, welcome to the committee.
When you were away, I indicated you would have up to five minutes to make some introductory comments, if you wish to make any. You may not wish to make any, but you're quite welcome to make some introductory comments.
As you know, we're here to study ghost consultants and migrant workers.
Welcome.
Conservative
Intercede
My name is Eunice Quash. I'm the secretary of the board of directors for Intercede and a member of the executive committee.
Intercede for the Rights of Domestic Workers, Caregivers and Newcomers is a non-profit agency that is funded through the contribution agreement from the immigration settlement and adaptation program, ISAP, and a grant from the City of Toronto community service program. We are governed by a board of directors who represent a broad cross-section of the community to include persons who have been through the live-in caregiver program. An executive director and a five-member staff provide service 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and twice monthly on Saturdays and Sundays.
The mandate for Intercede is to provide free and confidential service to domestic workers, caregivers, newcomers, and their families. Our services include immigration counselling, job search, newcomer orientation workshops, special workshops, referrals, advocacy, educating clients on their rights and responsibilities as stipulated in the Ontario Employment Standards Act, and accompaniment.
An increasing number of caregivers under the live-in caregiver program have disclosed various forms of violations, ranging from unpaid wages to sexual abuse. In collaboration with other agencies, we have always sought to provide support to all our clients where possible. We have had many successes and we have also had a myriad of challenges.
Approximately 60% of Intercede's clients are from the Philippines, while the remainder are from many countries around the world, including China, Japan, India, Jamaica, Peru, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, Guyana, Hong Kong, Venezuela, St. Kitts, Antigua, and Russia. Many clients have used the service of employment agencies to enter Canada under the live-in caregiver program and in some instances have been released upon arrival. That means facing unemployment, creating stress and anxiety.
The live-in caregiver program allows caregivers only three years in which to work and pay taxes for 24 months, in order to become eligible to apply for landed immigrant status. The live-in caregiver program, as it is currently structured, poses many challenges for caregivers. Many caregivers find it difficult to succeed in the program.
Intercede has always taken the stand that ideally caregivers should be allowed to enter Canada as landed immigrants. Failing that, the program should be reviewed and allow for the following changes: caregivers should have the option to live in or out of the employer's home; work permits should not specify a particular employer, so as to facilitate easier change of employers for caregivers who are already legally permitted to work in Canada; OHIP numbers should not be different, to help eradicate discrimination; special consideration should be given to caregivers who have experienced violations from employers; the waiting time for the renewal of permits should be reduced; the processing of labour violation claims should be expedited; ensure that the employer or potential employer is equipped to house caregivers; the process of permanent residence for family members should be expedited; work contracts for caregivers should clearly state the duties and responsibilities; the three-year period should be extended; and caregivers should be allowed to attend school if their work schedule allows them the time to do so.
The live-in caregiver program is broken, and all the bandages may be just a temporary fix.
Thank you.
Conservative
Member, Migrante Ontario
Hi. This is my first time as a witness in a standing committee. I wasn't clear that our introduction needed to be extensive. If you need more information on our organization--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
No, I understand that. If you're new, you're quite right, it's a new experience.
You can give some introductory comments, Ms. Beboso.
Member, Migrante Ontario
The Philippine Migrant Society of Canada, or Pilipinong Migrante Sa Canada, has more than 100 women who are under the live-in caregiver program. Our objectives are to organize and mobilize overseas Filipinos on issues faced by Filipino migrants and the Filipino people; launch education campaigns aimed at raising the political consciousness of migrant Filipinos in Canada; provide assistance and services to Filipino migrant workers to improve their living and working conditions in Canada; and support the struggle of the Filipino people for social justice, genuine freedom, and democracy.
Key activities of our organization are organizing and education, which means PMSC raises awareness about issues of migrant Filipinos through orientation sessions, discussion and study groups, video showings, information workshops and public forums that highlight the common issues faced by migrant Filipinos in Canada, campaigns, networking and alliances wherein PMSC is actively seeking changes to programs and policies that lead to the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. A key focus is Canada's live-in caregiver program.
Difficult working conditions faced by live-in caregivers can be traced to the fact that they are required to live and work in their employers' homes, which makes them vulnerable to forms of abuse other workers in Canada do not experience. Common problems are long working hours and unpaid overtime. Given that live-in caregivers work under temporary work permits, they are tied to their employers' names. Their ability to get out of difficult situations is severely constrained.
In launching its campaigns, PMSC works with organizations and networks that share its vision. We also do information and research wherein PMSC gathers information and conducts research in order to keep migrant Filipinos in Canada aware of their rights. It publishes a regular newsletter to share information, news, and stories of migrant workers. PMSC also conducts surveys and focus group discussions to learn more about the issues faced by migrant workers in Canada. Lastly, we also provide services wherein PMSC provides assistance to migrant Filipinos who seek help and justice for abuses committed against them. The organization also provides a range of services to its members including know-your-rights workshops, English as a second language classes, tax services, computer training, job placement, and CPR training. As part of building social networks among migrant Filipinos, PMSC also organizes social events for its members.
As well, we have ongoing campaigns currently, and I'm sure you guys, if anything, have heard of Bill 160 for recruitment agencies and the Juana Tejada law. That deals with removing the second medical examination once a live-in caregiver has finished the program and is applying for landed immigrant status.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I'll just explain to you what we're going to do now. Each of the four political party representatives will ask you questions on this topic. That will take five minutes for the questions and answers.
We will start off with Mr. Karygiannis.
Liberal
Jim Karygiannis Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Good morning, and welcome to the committee.
Ms. Eunice, you've said you're getting funding from ISAP, I believe it is, and you're there to intercede and to help caregivers. And you're employing x number of people, and there are board members. Are any of your board members on the payroll?