FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How much does a live-in caregiver cost?
- The minimum wage in Ontario for a live-in caregiver is $10.25 per hour. You must
deduct EI, CPP, federal and provincial taxes off the GROSS wage. In addition you can also deduct $369.42 for
room and board. Each province
has their own set wage requirement:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/advertReq/wageadreq.shtml - How much does a live-out caregiver cost?
- Only a Caregiver with her permanent resident status and/or an open work permit is legally allowed to work as a
live-out caregiver. There is no set wage listed for live-out caregivers – because they are no longer working
under the live-in caregiver program where there is a set wage by HRSDC. Because there is such a demand for
live-out caregivers the wages the caregiver negotiates, is significantly higher than a live-in caregiver
(between $400 to $500 NET per week). However each live-out caregiver is entitled to negotiate with the employer
for a fair wage, agreeable to both parties.
We are members of CISC and work under the rules of CSIC (Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants M#063807). As such we cannot encourage a caregiver who is here under the live-in caregiver program to go against the rules of the program, and live out of the employer’s home. - How long does the process take to hire from overseas?
- Processing a caregiver currently working in Taiwan takes 8-10 weeks. Processing a caregiver currently working in Hong Kong takes 3-4 months. However, keep in mind the interview process itself will take at least 2 weeks – to make the selection of the caregiver.
- Why would a caregiver who is educated, leave her family to work in Canada?
- The Philippines is in an economic crisis. As such, the unemployment rate is very high. Even people in respectable
jobs, such as teachers, make very low wages (equivalent to $200 Canadian per month). All schooling (right from
the primary grade in the Philippines) costs money. So many of these educated women seek employment outside of
their home country and send money home to their family for schooling, food and shelter, every month. The caregivers
work hard, and they want gainful employment because they are earning money for their family, (whether it is
children, brothers or sisters), instead of for herself, which becomes a very strong motivational force for her.
For the Filipina it has become a necessary way of life.
Keep in mind, that all of our Caregivers have been working in Hong Kong or Taiwan without their families for at least one year, and some for many years, so they are already dedicated to the idea of working overseas, that they have to make sacrifices for the well-being of their children and/or family. - Can I fire an incompetent employee?
- Yes. If an employee does not carry out the duties as agreed to in the contract, you can give him or her the required notice or pay in lieu of notice, or if it is grounds for termination you can cancel the contract as well.
- Am I responsible if my employee becomes sick, has an accident, or is hospitalized?
- Your caregiver qualifies for OHIP three months after landing in Canada. During that the employer must purchase third party health insurance for the caregiver until she qualifies for OHIP (i.e. Blue Cross). Your employee is entitled to sick leave as specified in provincial or territorial legislation. Do not force your employee to work if he or she is ill. Your employee should be covered under the required health or workers' compensation plan of the province or territory of work. Your employee may also be eligible to collect Employment Insurance sickness benefits.
- Am I responsible for Submitting Taxes?
- Yes. As an employer you must deduct EI, CPP, federal and provincial taxes off of the caregiver’s GROSS wage.
This must be paid in the form of Source Deductions by the employer. Call 1-800-959-5525 for more information.
You can also use Canada Revenue Agency's online payroll calculator:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/bsnss/pdoc-eng.html
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