The Vancouver based Filipino Nurses Support Group (FNSG) has alleged that Filipino nurses who come to Canada are being taken advantage of.

According to FNSG, most Filipino nurses do not score enough points to qualify for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa under the Skilled Worker category of immigration. As a result, they enter Canada under the Live-In Caregiver Program, which requires that they work as nannies for two to three years before becoming Canadian Permanent Residents.

"Despite the dire nursing shortage, they are forced to work as around-the-clock caregivers who cook, clean, and care for children, elderly, and sick of Canadian families. They become de-skilled - their personal and professional development stalled or permanently taken away by Canadian immigration and accreditation barriers that stream them into home support work, food services, warehouse jobs, and other cheap labour positions."

The Philippines are the third largest source of immigrants to Canada. Approximately 12,000 Filipinos arrived in Canada last year.