Quebec extends gratitude to its “guardian angels” by allowing them to live permanently in the province. Quebec’s minister of immigration, Nadine Girault, revealed that the province would be launching a new immigration scheme. The new program will be made available to the asylum seekers who helped provide health care to affected people during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Girault, the scheme tagged the Special Program for Asylum Seekers During COVID-19, will be available to individuals currently waiting to get their refugee status in the province. Others who are eligible for the program include those who have initially had their refugee claim declined.
What are the Criteria for Eligibility?
To be eligible for the new immigration scheme, candidates must meet the criteria below:
- Candidates must have been underemployment in a suitable health-related position from March 13, 2020, to August 14, 2020. Candidates must have provided patient care directly between March 13, 2020, and August 14, 2020. The above provisions must have covered a period of 120 hours.
- Candidates must have achieved the equivalent of no less than six months of full-time or not more than 750 hours of part-time work experience. They must also have acquired no more than 750 hours of full-time work experience within Quebec’s province before their application or during the application period of their immigration program via a public or private health entity or a firm that handles in-house health care.
- Potential candidates must have met the listed terms and conditions by August 31, 2021.
Which Occupations are Admissible?
Below is a list of the permissible occupations for the new immigration scheme:
- Registered nurses (NOC code 3012)
- Nursing supervisors and nursing coordinators (NOC code 3011)
- Licensed practical nurses (NOC code 3233)
- Home support workers (NOC code 4412 particularly direct personal care)
- Nurse assistants, patient service associates and orderlies (NOC code 3413)
Which Workplaces are Eligible?
The workplaces that are considered eligible under the new immigration program include:
- Organizations in the public sector including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, CLSCs, and CHSLDs
- Organizations in the private sector including private home care providers, and private homes that care for the elderly
Final Words
Since the coronavirus pandemic started, all asylum seekers in Quebec have remained on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. They have done this in both residential and long-term care facilities and homes within Quebec. These asylum seekers have assisted in alleviating worker shortage in the health care sector since the coronavirus pandemic. Because of this, Quebec’s Premier, François Legault, was forced to request that Quebec’s immigration ministry work with the county’s federal government to offer “guardian angels” an easy path to immigration.
According to Girault:
The new immigration scheme we have brought to you is the result of a constructive partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec. We now have the ability to take real action for those who participated and contributed to caring for the sick and elderly during the coronavirus pandemic and are seeking asylum in Quebec. Those who are looking for asylum in their collective effort to offer care for the elderly and sick during the coronavirus pandemic.