Notes
Key recommendations
More research is needed
Key findings
How recent Syrian refugees navigated the settlement and integration process and what services:
-
The refugees’ main points of contact were varied, for instance, settlement workers for GARs and private sponsors for PSRs.
-
Friends and families also helped them in their settlement process.
-
Children of refugees learned English faster and began to help their parents and others who were in a similar situation.
-
In terms of missing or inadequate services, our interviewees pointed to insufficient availability and quality of English classes, lack of vocational training programs, and certain types of dental work not covered by the Canadian health system. They also complained that 1 year is too short a period for a family to become financially independent.
In both cities (Edmonton and Lethbridge), the refugees’ challenges were partly rooted in their own intrinsic qualities:
-
the human capital assets (or lack thereof) they brought with them
-
the lack of ability to speak English or to learn it quickly—which may be affected by their educational level
-
their professional or employment backgrounds
-
refugees in both cities were not adequately prepared for month 13—the point at which they were expected to become financially independent because the government or private support ended then.
Settlement services in Lethbridge seemed adequate for the number of refugees who have settled there.
Edmonton, on the other hand, faced a severe shortage of spaces in LINC classes, affordable housing, interpreters, and other services.
Key populations
Syrian refugees, service providers, private sponsors
Gaps identified
Missing or inadequate services:
-
insufficient availability and quality of English classes
-
lack of vocational training programs
-
certain types of dental work not covered by the Canadian health system
-
1 year is too short a period for a family to become financially independent
Location
Lethbridge, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta
Community organizations
Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) and Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA