Leila Fenc
Executive Director,
Petro-Canada CareMakers FoundationTM
Caring for a sick or disabled family member can be overwhelming. Here is how the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation is helping to lighten the load.
An accident, illness, or chronic degenerative disease can thrust a family member into the role of unpaid caregiver—often without warning, preparation, or training. More than 8 million Canadians are currently providing care to a loved one and that number is expected to grow. Many family caregivers are also juggling other responsibilities like jobs and parenting. Without support, these individuals can end up suffering from exhaustion, financial strain, and burnout. While many caregivers feel overwhelmed, community volunteers—both formal and informal—can help provide respite, companionship, and practical assistance, easing the burden on families.
A generous yet often overlooked act
Caregiving is one of the most generous yet overlooked of human acts. The Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation is working to change that. “We recognize that caregivers need care too,” says Leila Fenc, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Whether someone is stepping into this role for the first time or has been doing it for years, they deserve recognition, respect, and support,” she says. Since its launch in 2020, the CareMakers Foundation has granted more than $10 million to charitable organizations supporting caregivers across Canada. “The organizations we support provide services ranging from respite care and peer support groups, to financial planning assistance and digital tools that provide access to resources,” says Fenc.
In addition to funding organizations that provide caregiver support, the CareMakers Foundation is helping to make caregiving a national priority. “When we support caregivers, we’re not just helping individuals, we’re strengthening families, communities, and the very systems we rely on,” says Fenc. “If caregivers burn out or can’t continue, the ripple effect is huge socially and economically, so recognizing and resourcing caregiving is a smart, compassionate investment in our country,” she says. One scalable and currently underused resource is Canada’s many informal and structured volunteering networks. Raising awareness of the need and opportunities to volunteer can help leverage this resource to maximum potential.
“Whether it’s running errands for a friend, caring for a loved one, volunteering with a caregiver support program, or simply checking in on someone who may be struggling—small acts of kindness can make a big impact” says Fenc.
Learn more how you can help support Canadian family caregivers by visiting: caremakers.ca.
