The case for designating caregiving as a recognized trade in Ontario and provinces across the country is compelling, both from economic and social perspectives. Caregiving is widespread in families and communities,  for loved ones and as a low barrier employment path for people entering the workforce.  In every family and every workplace, we can find caregivers sitting at every table, every elevator ride and every doctor appointment. Paid or unpaid, caregivers make this world possible. 

Currently, thousands of caregivers across the province provide essential services without formal recognition, standardized training, or adequate compensation. By establishing caregiving as a recognized trade, Ontario could address several critical challenges in its healthcare system while creating valuable economic opportunities.

First, trade designation would establish standardized training and certification programs, ensuring consistent quality of care across the province is accessible and sustainably funded. This would include comprehensive education in essential caregiving skills, health and safety protocols, and specialized care techniques. Such standardization would not only improve care quality but also provide caregivers with recognized credentials that validate their expertise.

Second, formal recognition would enable caregivers to command fair wages commensurate with their skills and responsibilities. Unlike Skilled Trade Workers, full time Personal Support Workers and care workers either receive minimal compensation or provide care without pay. Trade status would establish clear wage scales, overtime provisions, and benefits packages, helping to professionalize the field and attract more workers to address the growing demand for care services. 

Third, trade designation would create clear career pathways and opportunities for advancement. Caregivers could pursue additional certifications, specialize in specific areas of care, or advance into supervisory roles. This career ladder would help retain skilled caregivers in the field and create a more sustainable workforce.

Fourth, recognizing caregiving as a trade would facilitate better regulation and oversight of care services, protecting both caregivers and care recipients. It would establish clear standards of practice, ethical guidelines, and mechanisms for addressing concerns or complaints. Now is a time that we should all be thinking about creating the care options that are equitable and sustainable. 

Finally, trade designation would acknowledge the significant economic contribution of caregivers to Canada's healthcare system. By formally recognizing their work, the province would be better positioned to develop policies and programs that support this essential workforce while ensuring sustainable, high-quality care for Canada's aging population, as well as opening doors to create an infrastructure of support to caregivers for vulnerable people living with disabilities.

The implementation of such a designation would require collaboration between the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, healthcare institutions, and existing caregiver organizations. However, the potential benefits - including improved care quality, better working conditions, and a more sustainable healthcare system - make this a worthwhile investment in Canada's future.

Long-gone are the parades and supportive attitudes for the front-line workers. It is back to business and we are once again forgetting the people who offer society the most yet receive the least in their bid to simply exist while providing care for others. 

Join me in calling for Caregivers to be added to the official Skilled Trades List. Imagine working as a birth or death doula, as a daycare worker, or home aide worker, and suddenly your training and work is valued by the place you live? Imagine if your local rural doctors office suddenly employed birth and death workers? What could be possible if the local YM/WCA suddenly had on-staff PSWs who could offer care and connection with community supports when an individual or family transitioned into a new home or community?
What if that patient being discharged from the hospital to die at home had even more support and care because your workplace has hired death workers?

The value for Caregivers in community must be remembered, valued and upheld.  Let's teach our children and future generations that we appreciate  caregivers and what they do for our communities.