Petition to the Government of Ontario

This is a new petition we are getting signed to help the government of Ontario realize how urgent it is that they help caregivers with all aspects of the live-in caregiver program - not just one or two.

If you would like to be sent a PDF version of the petition to sign and return to us, please email us at info@cca-acaf.ca

If you have any comments you would like to make or to qualify your support, please post a reply to this blog entry below.

Prepared by the Canadian Caregivers Association440 Laurier Ave. West, Ste. 200, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7X6613.686.6218 | info@cca-acaf.ca | www.cca-acaf.ca

To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

We, the undersigned, residents of Ontario wish to draw the attention of the Assembly to the following:

THAT insufficient instruction is provided for employers of live-in caregivers concerning the rights of their employees and provincial labour standards – providing a high-risk environment for the participants of the LCP (Live-In Caregiver Program)

THAT caregivers are provided with minimal support services and have no authority to depend upon for consultations regarding their placements or for the on-site inspection of their living/working conditions – leaving the voluntary oversight of placement agents/agencies as the central provider of such aid

THAT no program exists for the temporary housing of live-in caregivers without a valid work permit escaping conditions of abuse or maltreatment – perpetuating the vulnerability of racialized women

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Assembly to ensure that legislation aimed at improving the condition of live-in caregivers in Ontario take into consideration the afore mentioned concerns, and that all participants in the labour relationship (employees, employers, and intermediaries) be given due attention. Furthermore, we call upon the Assembly to introduce these protections in concert with legislation already in-development, so as to demonstrate its sincerity in providing effective solutions.

PLEASE SIGN BELOW (Please indicate the number of children, if appropriate)

I am a:  Current Live-In Caregiver  Past Live-In Caregiver  Present Live-In Caregiver Employer  Potential Live-In Caregiver Employer  Past Live-In Caregiver Employer  Family With ___ Children Date: ___/____/____ dd mm yy First Name: ____________________ Last Name: ____________________ Email: ____________________ Phone: ____________________ Address: ____________________ City: ____________________ Postal Code: ___________________ Signature: ______________________

Press Release: From July 30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12:00 p.m. EST, July 29, 2009

Contact:

Canadian Caregivers Association

(613) 686-6218

Caregivers Call on Ontario Government for Urgent Change

TORONTO, ON – In response to the Government of Ontario’s recent consultations with stakeholder groups, caregivers are expressing their concerns that pending legislation may overlook their major concerns for the welfare of live-in caregivers in the province. Similar to Manitoba legislation to date, Ontario’s lawmakers have focused largely on the role of fees, while overlooking the needs of caregivers working in the province – needs that are extremely urgent and essential to the long-term protection of vulnerable temporary foreign workers.

Jintana L., an ex-caregiver and now permanent resident of Ontario was happy with the improved pay she received in Canada, versus the United States, but remains concerned that too much attention is being given to money, while support structures are severely lacking. “No one to came to see where I was living, to see if I had a proper room or to see that I wasn’t being abused. All there was were these bad websites and confusing laws. Only my agency was helping me. It can be scary not having a councilor. Now I hear the government wants to do something about fees overseas – but what about nannies that are here? I would gladly pay some money to feel secure that I have someone to help me.”

Regina D., another ex-caregiver from the LCG program shares Jintana’s opinion regarding the support she had. “There was so little support when I was a nanny. I don’t think they are changing this. I think they are not listening to the nannies that want to have someone to talk to – that want to be safe once they are in Canada and working for a family. Are they going to change this? My friends had such a hard time in the program. Sometimes they just wanted to give-up and go back to their home countries. I don’t think that this is going to change. Actually, I think there will just be fewer nannies this way, but maybe that is what they want.” Regina’s concerns highlight the province’s failings. American and European standards are far more stringent regarding counseling and oversight services. Ontario has fallen well behind any G7 Au Pair program in this regard.

Recent Ontario reforms have included the creation of a toll-free number for caregivers to call with major problems, but legislation introduced in the fall largely amounts to regulation around fees charged to potential caregivers overseas, and not a comprehensive protection regime to help those same caregivers once they are in Ontario and have far more immediate and significant concerns. Jintana, Regina, and thousands others are calling for Ontario’s inclusion of their input in its legislative agenda, as fees charged overseas have little bearing on the living and working conditions of the province.

The CCA is prepared to work with community, government, and industry partners on a non-profit basis to provide a wide range of services for caregivers living and working in Ontario, including consultations, job inspection, and maintaining records of abusive and faulty employment conditions.

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