Research Library

Yazidi Resettlement in Canada-Final Report 2018

Abstract
In 2017, Canada resettled 1,215 Yazidis (IRCC personal communication) refugees who have experienced extreme violence, torture, and displacement at rates that astonished the international community. Early reports from settlement agencies in Canada reveal that the high degree of trauma Yazidis have experienced has made their resettlement and integration very difficult. Almost all the Yazidis destined to Canada are from Sinjar, Kirkuk and Erbil in northeastern Iraq, and now reside in Toronto, London, Calgary and Winnipeg. Our colleagues at COSTI Immigrant Services (Toronto), Cross Cultural Learner Centre (London), Calgary Catholic Immigration Services, Welcome Place and Accueil francophone (Winnipeg), along with an advisory panel made up of settlement service providers, federal government and academic members, participated in the planning of this project. The study examines the following questions: 1) what settlement services do Yazidi refugees require? Do they have access to these services?; 2) what has their experience in attaining language training been like?; 3) what might their job prospects be?; and 4) what are their housing conditions? The purpose of the project is to collect information to inform practice and resettlement policy for refugees in Canada.
Authors: Lori Wilkinson,Pallabi Bhattacharyya,Annette Riziki,Abdul-Bari Abdul-Karim Publication Date: 1/1/2020

Publication Type: Webpage

URL:https://mansomanitoba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/YAZIDI-FINAL-FEB14.pdf
Notes

Key recommendations

Same-sex professional interpreters are required for medical appointments; Kurmanji-speaking interpreters are needed because they’re either functionally illiterate in Arabic or they’re not comfortable speaking in Arabic due to their traumatic interactions with their Arabic-speaking captors

Gaps identified

The Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) pre-arrival orientation was not completely helpful for Yazidi refugees mainly because they did not speak English and their interpreters were not fluent in the language. The housing policies and conditions in reception centres were not satisfactory (see pp. 5-6). When provided with permanent housing, Yazidi refugees are forced to live far from each other. This is a concern for them because living close together provides them with a sense of saftey. In addition, there is a lack of Kurmanji-speaking interpreters for them in Canada.

Key findings

Yazidi refugees make up a unique immigrant group due to their pre-arival traumatic experiences. The trauma they experienced in Iraq continues to impact their resettlement in Canada. For example, they cannot attend language classes due to mental health issues. Language is one of the most significant issues mainly because lack of literacy in their local language (Kurmanji) complicates Yazidi refugees’ ability to learn English. This, in turn, impacts their everyday experiences such as difficulty in using public transport. Yazidi women’s inability to live independently has overburdened thier male family members who are responsible for their own immediate families as well as those families headed by single women.

Key populations

Yazidi refugees

Community organizations

COSTI Immigrant Services (Toronto), Cross Cultural Learner Centre (London), Calgary

Catholic Immigration Services, Welcome Place and Accueil francophone (Winnipeg)

Location

Toronto, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; London, Ontario; Winnipeg, Mannitoba

Integration timeline

At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?

0-10 months in Canada, 3 on average

Open-access – No


Collections employment , language , physical-and-mental-health , resettlement-integration , social-services

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