The High Costs of Caring: Measuring the Prevalence and Consequences of Birth-Related Career Interruptions for Immigrant Care Workers in Canada

Abstract

This article examines the prevalence and consequences of taking time out of the labour market after the birth of a child for immigrant care workers in Canada. Analyses were done primarily using data from the 2009–2018 Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), comparing immigrants who entered Canada through the Live-in Caregiver Program/Caregiver Program (LCP/CP) with those who came through economic or family reunification streams. Results demonstrate that LCP/CP immigrant women were most likely to have had a birth-related career interruption during this time period and had on average much larger income reductions after the interruption, notwithstanding ongoing shortages in the care sector. The article concludes with a discussion of potential federal policy changes to address existing disparities.