When the pandemic hit, Personal Support Workers were on the front lines – serving when others stayed home, risking their health and, in some cases, their lives. Their essential role became undeniable.
But while PSWs were celebrated as heroes, many faced reduced income because they could only work in one workplace. SEIU Healthcare stepped in to make things right.

The union successfully pushed the federal government to allocate $1.7 billion to raise PSW wages to at least $25 an hour nationwide. When most provinces refused to pass that funding along, SEIU proposed a new solution – using the federal tax system to deliver direct financial support to workers.

After months of lobbying, meetings with MPs, cabinet ministers, and the Prime Minister, SEIU Healthcare’s advocacy paid off. On November 4, 2025, the Liberal government announced in its federal budget a refundable
$1,100 tax credit for PSWs- ensuring every full-time PSW can receive up to $1,100 a year for five years.

This is a historic win led by SEIU Healthcare, but it will benefit all PSWs across Canada – union and non-union alike. Because when PSWs win, every worker in care wins.