We’re kicking off our Global Caregiver Advocate Series by heading north to spotlight the amazing work being done in Canada. We sat down with three incredible advocates—Christa Haanstra, Sharon Anderson, and Amy Coupal—who are making waves across the country when it comes to caregiver policy, support, and visibility. Join us as we explore how Canada is leading efforts to recognize caregiving as both a personal journey and a workforce strength.

Episode Highlights:

[2:54] Meet Christa, Sharon & Amy—leaders with personal stories & national impact
[6:46] How National Caregiver Day creates space for awareness and advocacy
[12:06] The National Caregiving Strategy—how it came to be & its goals
[14:32] Paid Family Leave in Canada: progress & gaps
[18:00] Workplace roundtables & the Working Caregiver Project
[27:13] Caregiver education in healthcare: University of Alberta’s model
[32:21] “The Hidden Workforce” report: framing caregiving as economic infrastructure
[40:25] Advanced Caregiving Plans: preparing before crisis
[46:07] Reframing caregiving as a workplace strength
[51:05] Guest “One Wish” for Canadian caregiver policy in the next year

Featured Guests:

👩‍💼 Christa Haanstra, Founder, 4C Strategy
With 25+ years of strategic leadership experience, Christa uses the power of storytelling to advocate for family caregivers. She champions their integration as essential partners in healthcare and policy.
LinkedIn | Podcast Interview

🎓 Dr. Sharon Anderson, University of Alberta
A researcher and educator with a PhD in Family Gerontology, Dr. Anderson co-leads caregiver-centered education and research to better embed caregiver support in healthcare systems.
LinkedIn | Podcast Interview

💡 Amy Coupal, CEO, Ontario Caregiver Organization
A visionary nonprofit leader supporting Ontario’s 4 million caregivers. Amy’s personal caregiving experiences fuel her mission to amplify caregiver voices and improve systemic support.
LinkedIn | Ontario Caregiver Organization

Links & Resources:

📌 Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE)
📌 National Caregiver Day – April 1, 2025
📌 Workplace Roundtable Report
📌 University of Alberta – The Hidden Workforce Report
📌 Ontario Caregiver Spotlight Report (2024)
📌 Caregiver-Centered Care Education
📌 Stories from Real Working Caregivers: Katie MacDonald

🎙️ Check out: Episode 013 with Dr. Donna Benton

Remember to check out our website at invisibleemployeeadvocates.com for more resources, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates!