Research Library

This article examines the financial literacy of older immigrants in Canada. Older immigrants experience multiple forms of financial exclusion rooted in the intersections between age, race, gender, immigration, and labour history. While the existing literature notes how immigrants are more likely to be unbanked because of structural barriers such as inaccessible services and language barriers, few studies have explored how older immigrants discuss their experiences and financial conditions. This paper explores the experiences of financial literacy among older immigrants in Calgary, Alberta through in-depth interviews and photographs taken by participants. We discuss the lived experiences and financial realities among older immigrants, how they perceive challenges to financial literacy as well as coping strategies. Themes focus on the ways in which histories of immigration and labour impact their financial security in later life. Photographs generated offer service providers and policy makers opportunities to think about and engage in interventions that better tackle issues of financial insecurity and inequality among older immigrants. This article examines the financial literacy of older immigrants in Canada. Older immigrants experience multiple forms of financial exclusion rooted in the intersections between age, race, gender, immigration, and labour history. While the existing literature notes how immigrants are more likely to be unbanked because of structural barriers such as inaccessible services and language barriers, few studies have explored how older immigrants discuss their experiences and financial conditions. This paper explores the experiences of financial literacy among older immigrants in Calgary, Alberta through in-depth interviews and photographs taken by participants. We discuss the lived experiences and financial realities among older immigrants, how they perceive challenges to financial literacy as well as coping strategies. Themes focus on the ways in which histories of immigration and labour impact their financial security in later life. Photographs generated offer service providers and policy makers opportunities to think about and engage in interventions that better tackle issues of financial insecurity and inequality among older immigrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Place is powerful in our life because to be human is to be emplaced. In the human geographic interpretation of place, a conceptualization of the emplacement of human experience has been underdeveloped for a long time. This dissertation contributes to this area of inquiry by adopting a phenomenological case study approach to examine family sponsored late-age Chinese immigrants’ lived experience and sense of place in Edmonton, Canada. The focus of this study is to explore the relationship between late-age immigrants and their places at different scales. This work presents how the research participants develop a relationship with place based on their subjective perceptions and experiences. Two studies are presented in this dissertation. Theoretically, this research contributes to a scholarly understanding of the role of place in human life by establishing two frameworks to illustrate the relationships between participants and their places. Substantively, the research challenges the stereotype of sponsored late-age Chinese immigrants in Canada by revealing their roles and contributions in both their families and in society. Place is powerful in our life because to be human is to be emplaced. In the human geographic interpretation of place, a conceptualization of the emplacement of human experience has been underdeveloped for a long time. This dissertation contributes to this area of inquiry by adopting a phenomenological case study approach to examine family sponsored late-age Chinese immigrants’ lived experience and sense of place in Edmonton, Canada. The focus of this study is to explore the relationship between late-age immigrants and their places at different scales. This work presents how the research participants develop a relationship with place based on their subjective perceptions and experiences. Two studies are presented in this dissertation. Theoretically, this research contributes to a scholarly understanding of the role of place in human life by establishing two frameworks to illustrate the relationships between participants and their places. Substantively, the research challenges the stereotype of sponsored late-age Chinese immigrants in Canada by revealing their roles and contributions in both their families and in society.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Brooks Local Immigration Partnership (Brooks LIP) is a collaborative community effort to support the settlement and integration of newcomers in Brooks and area. After completing a literature review, needs assessment and community consultations, Brooks LIP has identified 3 priority areas to address to further support newcomers. This document presents a brief overview of the reasoning behind these priority areas. The Brooks Local Immigration Partnership (Brooks LIP) is a collaborative community effort to support the settlement and integration of newcomers in Brooks and area. After completing a literature review, needs assessment and community consultations, Brooks LIP has identified 3 priority areas to address to further support newcomers. This document presents a brief overview of the reasoning behind these priority areas.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Over the past years, more newcomers have moved to Lloydminster, particularly when the economy was strong and there were numerous opportunities for employment. The Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership (LLIP) was tasked with determining the experiences of newcomers in Lloydminster and their settlement needs. A survey, community engagement sessions and interviews were conducted to determine what was working well and what areas need to be enhanced to better assist newcomers in resettlement. Additionally, recommendations were created from this information to provide avenues for LLIP to move forwards and enhance the newcomer experience in Lloydminster. Over the past years, more newcomers have moved to Lloydminster, particularly when the economy was strong and there were numerous opportunities for employment. The Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership (LLIP) was tasked with determining the experiences of newcomers in Lloydminster and their settlement needs. A survey, community engagement sessions and interviews were conducted to determine what was working well and what areas need to be enhanced to better assist newcomers in resettlement. Additionally, recommendations were created from this information to provide avenues for LLIP to move forwards and enhance the newcomer experience in Lloydminster.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Canadian immigrant policies have systemically excluded individuals with disabilities from immigrating to Canada due to ‘excessive demand’ and ‘medical inadmissibility’ clauses. Ableism, racism, and colonialism affect all aspects of pre-application, application, settlement and integration. However, a gap in resources and knowledge of working with newcomers with disabilities exists. This reports on the training program requested by Immigrant Services Calgary on supporting newcomers with disabilities. Canadian immigrant policies have systemically excluded individuals with disabilities from immigrating to Canada due to ‘excessive demand’ and ‘medical inadmissibility’ clauses. Ableism, racism, and colonialism affect all aspects of pre-application, application, settlement and integration. However, a gap in resources and knowledge of working with newcomers with disabilities exists. This reports on the training program requested by Immigrant Services Calgary on supporting newcomers with disabilities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Although more Albertan Muslims are entering older age, there is still limited research, evidence and policy focused on older Muslims’ lived experiences and needs in Canada. This community-based participatory study serves to describe the experiences of Muslim seniors and community stakeholders, with regards to healthy aging and related needs in Edmonton, Alberta. 64 Canadian Muslims from multiple ethno-cultural communities in Edmonton participated in individual interviews and focus groups. Muslim seniors defined healthy aging as being financially independent, staying socially connected, and feeling spiritually fulfilled. The article also emphasizes the importance of the Islamic obligation to care for seniors in the community, as well as the increased risks of vulnerable seniors in social isolation. Overall, this study’s findings highlights strong community motivation to support healthy aging, combined with significant barriers to community action. Although more Albertan Muslims are entering older age, there is still limited research, evidence and policy focused on older Muslims’ lived experiences and needs in Canada. This community-based participatory study serves to describe the experiences of Muslim seniors and community stakeholders, with regards to healthy aging and related needs in Edmonton, Alberta. 64 Canadian Muslims from multiple ethno-cultural communities in Edmonton participated in individual interviews and focus groups. Muslim seniors defined healthy aging as being financially independent, staying socially connected, and feeling spiritually fulfilled. The article also emphasizes the importance of the Islamic obligation to care for seniors in the community, as well as the increased risks of vulnerable seniors in social isolation. Overall, this study’s findings highlights strong community motivation to support healthy aging, combined with significant barriers to community action.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article presents the issues and challenges facing older Chinese immigrants in accessing mainstream services in Edmonton, Alberta, in Western Canada. The awareness and access to mainstream services and information, perceptions of services, system improvements and use of social media are discussed. Barriers to services include: isolation, impacting physical and mental health; few multicultural services (barriers around translation and access to services); barriers around age and ability (accessibility); cost barriers. The article suggests several recommendations: culturally competent service provision by mainstream services (including removing cost barriers, improving translation and accessibility); more collaboration between ‘mainstream’ service providers and ethno-specific organizations; more consultation with Chinese community; greater accessibility to translation; increased funding for human resources and training. This article presents the issues and challenges facing older Chinese immigrants in accessing mainstream services in Edmonton, Alberta, in Western Canada. The awareness and access to mainstream services and information, perceptions of services, system improvements and use of social media are discussed. Barriers to services include: isolation, impacting physical and mental health; few multicultural services (barriers around translation and access to services); barriers around age and ability (accessibility); cost barriers. The article suggests several recommendations: culturally competent service provision by mainstream services (including removing cost barriers, improving translation and accessibility); more collaboration between ‘mainstream’ service providers and ethno-specific organizations; more consultation with Chinese community; greater accessibility to translation; increased funding for human resources and training.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The home language environment and language abilities were compared between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with typical development, both from newcomer families in Edmonton. Children were in elementary school, mostly 6 and 7 year olds. The goal was to understand if there were differences in bilingual development between children with ASD and children with typical development at the same age. Specifically, we wanted to understand if children with ASD have the capacity to become bilingual and whether this is supported by their communities, clinicians and educators. We conclude that children with ASD are more at risk than children with typical development for losing their heritage language. In other words, children with ASD have the capacity to be bilingual, but have limited opportunities to develop their heritage language. The home language environment and language abilities were compared between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with typical development, both from newcomer families in Edmonton. Children were in elementary school, mostly 6 and 7 year olds. The goal was to understand if there were differences in bilingual development between children with ASD and children with typical development at the same age. Specifically, we wanted to understand if children with ASD have the capacity to become bilingual and whether this is supported by their communities, clinicians and educators. We conclude that children with ASD are more at risk than children with typical development for losing their heritage language. In other words, children with ASD have the capacity to be bilingual, but have limited opportunities to develop their heritage language.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The CCIS New Pride Program Annual Evaluation Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and outputs, as well as feedback from clients. The report highlights successful workshops, presentations, and events held by the program, which aim to serve LGBTQ newcomers and create new resources and connections. The report also details the direct impact the program has had on clients’ lives, including increased access to services and improved mental health outcomes. Client feedback is included, providing insight into their experiences with the program and suggestions for future improvements. Overall, the report showcases the effectiveness of the New Pride Program in serving the LGBTQ newcomer community. The CCIS New Pride Program Annual Evaluation Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and outputs, as well as feedback from clients. The report highlights successful workshops, presentations, and events held by the program, which aim to serve LGBTQ newcomers and create new resources and connections. The report also details the direct impact the program has had on clients’ lives, including increased access to services and improved mental health outcomes. Client feedback is included, providing insight into their experiences with the program and suggestions for future improvements. Overall, the report showcases the effectiveness of the New Pride Program in serving the LGBTQ newcomer community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This document provides questions for organizations to assess how well they are addressing organizational racism and anti-racism within their staff, mission, and clients. This document provides questions for organizations to assess how well they are addressing organizational racism and anti-racism within their staff, mission, and clients.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly