Frequently asked questions:
Working temporarily in Canada

Live-In Caregiver Program

How does the law protect me?

As a live-in caregiver, you have legal rights to fair working conditions and fair treatment under labour laws in most provinces and territories. Nothing in your contract must violate these rights. Labour laws may cover rights in areas such as:

• days off each week
• vacation time with pay
• paid public holidays
• overtime pay
• minimum wage
• other protection, including equal pay, equal benefits and notice of employment termination and
• maximum charges for room and board.

Regulation 185 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations has a complete list of conditions that may be put on your work permit.

Public holidays are days during the year when most workers, including live-in caregivers, can have the day off with pay or receive a premium, which could be overtime pay, if they work. In Canada, some common holidays are New Year’s Day (January 1), Good Friday (Easter), Victoria Day (late May), Canada Day (July 1), Labour Day (early September), Thanksgiving (mid-October) and Christmas Day (December 25). Some provinces or territories have one or two other public holidays.

Working conditions, such as minimum hourly wages, vary widely in Canada according to provincial or territorial law. It is your responsibility to find out the labour laws in the province or territory where you work. See the List of provincial and territorial labour standards offices in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Related Links

• List of provincial and territorial labour standards offices