Update: May 13

Recent media attention has been excellent. The Toronto Star's continued series has generated a lot of interest in the plight of caregivers. So, too, has the story of Ruby Dhalla.

It is unfortunate to see a public figure so quickly attacked when stories like these arise. Aside from the need for due process, the got'cha politics game very consistently overlooks systemic problems, opting for stories that are immediate and shocking. The CCA has been glad for each and every media agency that spoken with us about the root problems with Canada's live-in caregiver program.

Our special thanks goes out to CFRA 580 News Talk Radio, the Winnipeg Free Press, and Global Television.

Today's print coverage at CBC.ca and the Winnipeg Free Press

Press Release: From April 15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12:00 p.m. EST, April 15, 2009

Contact:

Tristan A. Downe-Dewdney

Spokesperson

Canadian Caregivers Association

(416) 628-8388

Live-In Caregiver Program Benefits May Vanish

TORONTO, ON – Today, the Canadian Caregivers Association (CCA) is calling on the Ontario government to review Bill 160 – Caregiver and Foreign Worker Recruitment and Protection Act, 2009 – which has been introduced to offer foreign workers protection in the Live-In Caregiver (LIC) program.

“When we heard that the Ontario government was going to deal with the problem by year’s end, we had hoped they were going to engage the industry in some form of dialogue,” said Tristan Downe-Dewdney, Spokesperson for the CCA. “Many of the companies have had a lot of good ideas for some time now. They have been hoping to contribute to sustainable legislation”.

Bill 160 is providing for a major overhaul of the caregiver industry in Ontario, but has not included mechanisms for the participation of caregivers, agencies, or employers in crafting of legislation or the long-term oversight of the industry. Rather than the creation of a Director’s office under the sole oversight of the Province, the CCA is calling for a membership body at arms-length that will engage the wider community. Such a body would be able to establish clearer criteria for the operation of a placement business – criteria which are extremely limited in Bill 160.

The CCA is also calling for fee caps for the placement of caregivers in Canadian homes. The mitigation of family costs in the placement process, the CCA argues, is necessary, to some extent, to maintain the financial viability of the program in the long-run as an accessible childcare option for middle-class families, thereby also supporting caregivers abroad in their bid to come to Canada. Disreputable agencies have already demonstrated an ability to circumvent legal and ethical practices – a prohibition approach to fees could simply close business who conduct themselves fairly and eliminate the many jobs in Ontario dependent on their continuity. The transfer of all costs to families would further relegate the Live-In Caregiver program to the families of the super-rich at the cost of those less fortunate – in Canada and abroad.

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Press Release: From April 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12:00 p.m. EST, April 13, 2009

Contact:

Tristan A. Downe-Dewdney

Spokesperson

Canadian Caregivers Association

(416) 628-8388

Caregiver Industry Calls for Higher Standards

TORONTO, ON – Project 2009 - a new project from the caregiver industry - is calling on the Ontario and Federal governments to impose new standards for caregiver recruiting and placement agencies.

“What we need is an end of the race to the bottom approach that came with deregulation” said Tristan Downe-Dewdney, the Canadian Caregiver Association’s (CCA) spokesperson for their 2009 initiative. “Low standards hurt caregivers and they hurt the businesses that have been ethically conducting their operations”.

The CCA is calling for minimum standards and an industry review mechanism to ensure that an agency is up to code in order to operate. Their proposed ‘Whitelist’ is preferred over a blacklist, given the ability of agencies to rebrand and change ownership to avoid scrutiny.

In addition to investigations, the CCA is also calling for fee caps, warning that there needs to be a balance between expropriation and prohibition, so that compassionate businesses can continue to operate. The CCA welcomes the Ontario Government’s commitment to action and will be working with stakeholders to develop the sustainable made-in-Ontario solutions needed to raise standards and to pressure the Federal Government to take concrete steps to end exploitation.

The Canadian Caregivers Association is a Canada-wide association representing industry partners who support high standards, respecting caregiver and family rights. Founded in 2004, the CCA has pushed for industry reforms for the past 5 years. Project 2009 is a special initiative in response to the unique opportunities for change provided by recent media coverage of caregiver exploitation in the Greater Toronto Area.

Campaign 2009 Has Begun

Welcome to the Canadian Caregivers Association (CCA) blog for the 2009 Campaign for Industry Change! I am greatly pleased to have been brought onboard to the Canadian Caregivers Association to spearhead two months of action on behalf of caregivers and the caregiver industry.

The Toronto Star has once again demonstrated the importance of the investigative reporting that has long been at the heart of Canadian newspapers. Their coverage of the abuses within the caregiver industry is perhaps one of the greatest steps taken to date in improving the conditions of vulnerable caregivers - not only in Toronto, but throughout Canada.

Government action may very well be on the horizon. MPP Mike Colle has put forward an important bill in Ontario that has brought new attention to the legislative options available. While there is some pessimism regarding the private member's bill being passed, it is bringing the issue to light. Comments from the Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney have also been positive indicators of change to come. Olivia Chow of the NDP has been adding pressure for action along with Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis.

The CCA has long pushed for legislative and industrial reforms as a representative of caregivers, families, and the industry. While caregivers are now being recognized as vulnerable we will show that low legal standards have also been a crippling blow to agencies who have elected to follow principles of proper conduct. Agencies recruiting internationally, with legitimate family employers, and without programs to exploit their caregivers have been placed at a competitive disadvantage by their unwillingness to join in the disgusting habits now being brought to light.

This blog will be updated over the next eight weeks with caregiver stories, important facts, and suggestions for how a holistic change can be made that will serve the interests of every community and, most importantly, put an end to the misery being suffered by vulnerable caregivers.