Unpaid Caregiving in Canada: The $97.1 Billion Reality — with CCCE Executive Director Liv Mendelsohn

Caregiving in Canada is not a private family issue. It is one of the biggest social, economic, and healthcare realities of our time. In this episode of The Hart of It All, Teri Hart speaks with Liv Mendelsohn, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, about CCCE’s newly released Caring in Canada report and what it reveals about the true state of care across the country. Liv shares the staggering scale of unpaid caregiving in Canada, including the estimated $97.1 billion in unpaid care provided each year by family members, friends, and loved ones. She also explains how caregivers are managing far more than many people realize, from medical appointments and daily tasks to emotional support, transportation, advocacy, and the invisible labour that keeps families and communities going. This conversation looks honestly at the pressure caregivers and care providers are facing, including burnout, financial strain, health impacts, and a system that too often relies on families to fill the gaps. But it is not a conversation without hope. Liv also breaks down the clear, practical solutions already identified through CCCE’s National Caregiving Strategy, which was co-designed with caregivers, care providers, and endorsed by more than 85 national and provincial organizations. From refundable caregiver tax credits to better income supports, aging-in-place policies, and stronger recognition of caregivers in healthcare planning, Liv explains what can change and why those changes matter. This episode is for anyone caring for someone they love, preparing for what may come next, or trying to understand why caregiving belongs at the centre of Canada’s healthcare conversation. The numbers are big, but the message is clear: caregivers are not alone, and a better system is possible. Resources: Read the CCCE's "Caring in Canada" Report: https://canadiancaregiving.org/caring-in-canada/ Follow Liv Mendelsohn and The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadiancaregiving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadiancaregiving CCCE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadiancaregiving/ Liv on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liv-mendelsohn-m-a-m-ed-60000b5a/ To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPod Follow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpod Website: https://www.thehartofitall.ca/ Follow Teri Hart: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihart Co-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 Digital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digital Website: https://www.6of1digital.com/ I’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode. \- 🟡 About The Hart of it All A podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving. No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most. From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together. * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.