Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers
Syrian refugees resettling in Alberta face complex integration challenges. Social connections are a key foundation to successful integration. The goal of this study was to better understand the nature of social networks, social support and social capital among Syrian refugees arriving in Alberta in 2015 and in 2016. The study also focused on comparing the resettlement experience of refugees from larger centers and small centers in Alberta, differentiating the experience of government assisted refugees (GARs), privately sponsored refugees (PSRs) and blended visa office referred (BVOR) refugees. The study found that social relationships are crucial to settlement and integration. The importance of ethno-cultural communities, sponsors and community organizations in settlement and integration is discussed. Overall, the study found that while newcomers were making friends and building ties, these were still nebulous and largely focused on settlement needs or linking to socio-cultural community. GARs had stronger links to settlement agencies as compared to PSRs who were more closely linked to community networks. Refugees in smaller centers reported a higher level of belonging and reported more engagement with settlement or community organizations, but had lower rates of participation in recreation or religious activities. While most participants experienced a certain sense of belonging to Canada, they simultaneously felt challenged while managing settlement concerns and combatting racism and social exclusion. Syrian refugees resettling in Alberta face complex integration challenges. Social connections are a key foundation to successful integration. The goal of this study was to better understand the nature of social networks, social support and social capital among Syrian refugees arriving in Alberta in 2015 and in 2016. The study also focused on comparing the resettlement experience of refugees from larger centers and small centers in Alberta, differentiating the experience of government assisted refugees (GARs), privately sponsored refugees (PSRs) and blended visa office referred (BVOR) refugees. The study found that social relationships are crucial to settlement and integration. The importance of ethno-cultural communities, sponsors and community organizations in settlement and integration is discussed. Overall, the study found that while newcomers were making friends and building ties, these were still nebulous and largely focused on settlement needs or linking to socio-cultural community. GARs had stronger links to settlement agencies as compared to PSRs who were more closely linked to community networks. Refugees in smaller centers reported a higher level of belonging and reported more engagement with settlement or community organizations, but had lower rates of participation in recreation or religious activities. While most participants experienced a certain sense of belonging to Canada, they simultaneously felt challenged while managing settlement concerns and combatting racism and social exclusion.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Many African immigrants moving to Canada tend to experience deterioration of health with time in their host country due to the influence of multiple factors on their health care decisions. The purpose of this study was to understand the problems and decision dynamics relevant to Ghanaian adult immigrants’ health care choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. Thematic analysis revealed that participants’ healthcare choices were influenced by their pre-and post-migration experiences, which informed their pathways to care. Participants provided insights about tensions among themselves and with health providers in making healthcare choices as they settled in a new environment. Further, there is a need to provide health education programs and a strong support system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use among recent newcomers. Many African immigrants moving to Canada tend to experience deterioration of health with time in their host country due to the influence of multiple factors on their health care decisions. The purpose of this study was to understand the problems and decision dynamics relevant to Ghanaian adult immigrants’ health care choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. Thematic analysis revealed that participants’ healthcare choices were influenced by their pre-and post-migration experiences, which informed their pathways to care. Participants provided insights about tensions among themselves and with health providers in making healthcare choices as they settled in a new environment. Further, there is a need to provide health education programs and a strong support system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use among recent newcomers.
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 study explores the challenges faced by refugees and how social justice-oriented counselling can help them overcome these challenges. The research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 refugees who had experienced homelessness. The findings reveal that refugees face multiple challenges, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources. Social justice-oriented counselling was found to be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life. The study offers insights into how counselling can be tailored to meet the unique needs of refugees and promote social justice. The study explores the challenges faced by refugees and how social justice-oriented counselling can help them overcome these challenges. The research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 refugees who had experienced homelessness. The findings reveal that refugees face multiple challenges, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources. Social justice-oriented counselling was found to be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life. The study offers insights into how counselling can be tailored to meet the unique needs of refugees and promote social justice.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Canada is a country with a complex linguistic and cultural landscape characterized by two official languages (English and French), a steady influx of immigrants, and a number of aboriginal communities. In a broader global environment bilingualism and multilingualism are increasingly recognized as a norm. In this paper, I review language background profiling practices at publicly funded Canadian elementary schools. While school boards recognize some aspects of bilingualism and multilingualism, most registration forms do not allow explicitly for the possibility of a child having more than one first/native language. Based on this paper’s analysis, I recommend (a) allowing parents to include more than one native language in registration forms, (b) include questions related to students’ dominance, primary language or most frequently used language; (c) distinguish between exposure to a language and spoken ability in a language. Canada is a country with a complex linguistic and cultural landscape characterized by two official languages (English and French), a steady influx of immigrants, and a number of aboriginal communities. In a broader global environment bilingualism and multilingualism are increasingly recognized as a norm. In this paper, I review language background profiling practices at publicly funded Canadian elementary schools. While school boards recognize some aspects of bilingualism and multilingualism, most registration forms do not allow explicitly for the possibility of a child having more than one first/native language. Based on this paper’s analysis, I recommend (a) allowing parents to include more than one native language in registration forms, (b) include questions related to students’ dominance, primary language or most frequently used language; (c) distinguish between exposure to a language and spoken ability in a 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 report documents the settlement experiences of recently arrived Syrian refugees in Albertan cities. It then compares them across the three streams of sponsorship to better understand the perspectives of the refugees, the sponsors, and the social agencies that work with them. This report documents the settlement experiences of recently arrived Syrian refugees in Albertan cities. It then compares them across the three streams of sponsorship to better understand the perspectives of the refugees, the sponsors, and the social agencies that work with them.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
In Canada, tuberculosis disproportionately affects people who were born abroad. The national tuberculosis medical surveillance programme aims to prevent these cases. These people are referred (referrals) for further in-country surveillance after migration if they have a history of active tuberculosis or have features of old, healed tuberculosis on chest radiograph. Others who are not referred (non-referrals) do not undergo surveillance. In this study we looked at the risk of transmitting TB that comes from referrals and non-referrals. We also compared the transmission rates between the two groups. To make this comparison, we looked at information that Alberta Tuberculosis Registry had about foreign-born migrants (aged 15-64 years). We looked at information about people who came to Alberta between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2013. We were interested in cases that had culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. We found that the incidence of culture-positive pulmonary disease was nine times higher in referrals than all non-referrals and five times higher in referrals than non-referrals from high-risk countries. Despite a much higher incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in referrals than non-referrals, referrals were 80% less likely to transmit tuberculosis. But we suggest that instead of focusing only on referrals, Canada could consider screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis in all migrants from high-risk countries. In Canada, tuberculosis disproportionately affects people who were born abroad. The national tuberculosis medical surveillance programme aims to prevent these cases. These people are referred (referrals) for further in-country surveillance after migration if they have a history of active tuberculosis or have features of old, healed tuberculosis on chest radiograph. Others who are not referred (non-referrals) do not undergo surveillance. In this study we looked at the risk of transmitting TB that comes from referrals and non-referrals. We also compared the transmission rates between the two groups. To make this comparison, we looked at information that Alberta Tuberculosis Registry had about foreign-born migrants (aged 15-64 years). We looked at information about people who came to Alberta between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2013. We were interested in cases that had culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. We found that the incidence of culture-positive pulmonary disease was nine times higher in referrals than all non-referrals and five times higher in referrals than non-referrals from high-risk countries. Despite a much higher incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in referrals than non-referrals, referrals were 80% less likely to transmit tuberculosis. But we suggest that instead of focusing only on referrals, Canada could consider screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis in all migrants from high-risk countries.
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
Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, Alberta hosted a conference on settlement of LGBTQ+ newcomers. Key themes from the conference include: 1) complex barriers faced by LGBTQ+ newcomers; 2) service gaps for LGBTQ+ newcomers; 3) lack of Canadian research on this topic; 4) several promising programs currently exist.
This report summarizes the key themes of the two-day conference and documents the key outcomes of the brainstorming and action planning sessions. It also provides a summative evaluation, documenting both the expectations and feedback from conference participants. Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, Alberta hosted a conference on settlement of LGBTQ+ newcomers. Key themes from the conference include: 1) complex barriers faced by LGBTQ+ newcomers; 2) service gaps for LGBTQ+ newcomers; 3) lack of Canadian research on this topic; 4) several promising programs currently exist.
This report summarizes the key themes of the two-day conference and documents the key outcomes of the brainstorming and action planning sessions. It also provides a summative evaluation, documenting both the expectations and feedback from conference participants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
