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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Ripples of change: The City of Calgary Organizational Anti-Racism Action Strategy

This strategy outlines the City of Calgary’s commitment to creating a racially-just community. It emphasizes the importance of collective anti-racism work, organizational stamina, anti-racist leadership, and intentional centering of the lived experiences of Indigenous, Black, and diverse Racialized employees. The strategy also highlights the need for a focused approach to address the root causes of systemic racism and oppression. It emphasizes accountability as a public service organization and aims to embed it into the change process. Overall, this strategy serves as a roadmap for the City of Calgary’s efforts towards creating an inclusive and equitable community for all its residents. This strategy outlines the City of Calgary’s commitment to creating a racially-just community. It emphasizes the importance of collective anti-racism work, organizational stamina, anti-racist leadership, and intentional centering of the lived experiences of Indigenous, Black, and diverse Racialized employees. The strategy also highlights the need for a focused approach to address the root causes of systemic racism and oppression. It emphasizes accountability as a public service organization and aims to embed it into the change process. Overall, this strategy serves as a roadmap for the City of Calgary’s efforts towards creating an inclusive and equitable community for all its residents.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP): Research Report

This report presents the findings of research conducted for the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The research aimed to identify the settlement needs of immigrants in the Wood Buffalo region, assess how well services meet their needs and develop areas for action. Data was gathered through a review of census data, an immigrant survey, focus groups with immigrants and focus groups and interviews with service providers and ethnocultural organizations. Results describe settlement challenges across 9 different categories, as well as multiple barriers to accessing services. Recommendations are provided to help Wood Buffalo LIP improve the resettlement experiences of newcomers to the area. This report presents the findings of research conducted for the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The research aimed to identify the settlement needs of immigrants in the Wood Buffalo region, assess how well services meet their needs and develop areas for action. Data was gathered through a review of census data, an immigrant survey, focus groups with immigrants and focus groups and interviews with service providers and ethnocultural organizations. Results describe settlement challenges across 9 different categories, as well as multiple barriers to accessing services. Recommendations are provided to help Wood Buffalo LIP improve the resettlement experiences of newcomers to the area.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Room for Growth: Queer Identity & the Immigrant Experience

Interview with Jose (they/he), a queer, non-binary Mexican immigrant living in St. Albert, AB. Jose talks about how their supportive parents changed their entire coming out experience, especially as a Catholic immigrant. Interview with Jose (they/he), a queer, non-binary Mexican immigrant living in St. Albert, AB. Jose talks about how their supportive parents changed their entire coming out experience, especially as a Catholic immigrant.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Trans Day of Remembrance – Black Trans Lives

RaricaNow CEO, Adebayo Katiti, is a Ugandan refugee and a Black trans man. He speaks about the importance of Trans Day of Remembrance and the inequities that trans people, especially Black trans people, continue to face in Canada. RaricaNow is an organization in Edmonton, AB that provides settlement supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers. RaricaNow CEO, Adebayo Katiti, is a Ugandan refugee and a Black trans man. He speaks about the importance of Trans Day of Remembrance and the inequities that trans people, especially Black trans people, continue to face in Canada. RaricaNow is an organization in Edmonton, AB that provides settlement supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

COVID-19 vaccine coverage among immigrants and refugees in Alberta: A population-based cross-sectional study

Administrative data was used to study COVID-19 vaccine coverage in immigrants and refugees compared to the Canadian-born population. Broadly, immigrants and refugees (78.2%) had comparable vaccine coverage to Canadian-born individuals (76%). However, initiatives to improve vaccine coverage is needed for older immigrants, immigrants in rural areas, and immigrants from certain ethnicities. Administrative data was used to study COVID-19 vaccine coverage in immigrants and refugees compared to the Canadian-born population. Broadly, immigrants and refugees (78.2%) had comparable vaccine coverage to Canadian-born individuals (76%). However, initiatives to improve vaccine coverage is needed for older immigrants, immigrants in rural areas, and immigrants from certain ethnicities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Edmonton’s Rainbow Refuge a safe haven for LGBTQ+ newcomers

The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially. The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Little Book of LIP: Guide to the Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership

An overview of the Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership (MHLIP), including their values and vision, statistics to support why Medicine Hat needs immigrants, 4 main barriers immigrants face in Medicine Hat, as well as MHLIP’s top 3 priorities, their approach, and desired outcomes. An overview of the Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership (MHLIP), including their values and vision, statistics to support why Medicine Hat needs immigrants, 4 main barriers immigrants face in Medicine Hat, as well as MHLIP’s top 3 priorities, their approach, and desired outcomes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

At home here? LGBTQ refugees’ housing experiences in Alberta, Canada

Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis. Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Perceptions and experiences of Pakistani-descent female adolescents on developing sexuality and its relation to psychological wellbeing

The sexual health needs of female immigrant adolescents in Canada have been largely unmet and have increased in magnitude over the last few years. For immigrant female adolescents of Pakistani descent, who are also racialized youth in Canada, the silence around issues of sexuality needs can affect their physical, emotional, and sexual health and well-being, and ability to reach their full potential. Evidence suggests that immigrant adolescents lack sexual and reproductive health knowledge and use fewer sexual health-related services and sex education resources than do non-immigrant youth. In Pakistani immigrant adolescents, this difference appears to be associated with sociocultural and religious practices. The overarching purpose of this dissertation is to contribute towards improving sexual health of female immigrant adolescents living in Canada. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience of developing sexuality and its relationship to developing identity and well-being in middle- to late- female adolescents of Pakistani-descent, living in a large urban area in Alberta, Canada. This study sought to create space for dialogue and to explore the perceived cultural influence on issues of sexuality that often arise among individuals from different cultural backgrounds using the postmodern feminist lens. An art-based strategy was used to conduct research with 21 female adolescents who were of first- or second-generation Pakistani-descent. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and having participants create a relevant timeline. The sexual health needs of female immigrant adolescents in Canada have been largely unmet and have increased in magnitude over the last few years. For immigrant female adolescents of Pakistani descent, who are also racialized youth in Canada, the silence around issues of sexuality needs can affect their physical, emotional, and sexual health and well-being, and ability to reach their full potential. Evidence suggests that immigrant adolescents lack sexual and reproductive health knowledge and use fewer sexual health-related services and sex education resources than do non-immigrant youth. In Pakistani immigrant adolescents, this difference appears to be associated with sociocultural and religious practices. The overarching purpose of this dissertation is to contribute towards improving sexual health of female immigrant adolescents living in Canada. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience of developing sexuality and its relationship to developing identity and well-being in middle- to late- female adolescents of Pakistani-descent, living in a large urban area in Alberta, Canada. This study sought to create space for dialogue and to explore the perceived cultural influence on issues of sexuality that often arise among individuals from different cultural backgrounds using the postmodern feminist lens. An art-based strategy was used to conduct research with 21 female adolescents who were of first- or second-generation Pakistani-descent. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and having participants create a relevant timeline.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Overcoming the local trap through inclusive and multi-scalar food systems: A case study of EthniCity Catering in Calgary, Alberta

Current industrialized food systems have detrimental consequences for people and the planet. Relocalizing food systems offers one strategy to mitigate these harms; advocates point to opportunities for ecological, economic, and social benefits as reason to localize food production. However, the assumption that the local is inherently preferable to the global can lead academics, practitioners, and consumers into the local trap. With increasing ethnic diversity in Canada, the perception that local is inherently good and global is inherently bad can translate into defensive and exclusionary tendencies towards the food preferences and practices of newcomers, immigrants and refugees. While the literature identifies various manifestations of the local trap, it offers limited investigation of strategies that may overcome this pitfall. In contrast to defensive localism, alternative conceptualizations of scale may support action in favour of collaborative, inclusive, and diversity-receptive outcomes in food systems. Therefore, in this thesis, I aim to identify strategies that may include the food preferences and practices of newcomers while also addressing problematic aspects of industrial food systems. I also seek to understand the mechanisms and conceptualizations that enable such strategies. To accomplish this, 1) I completed a literature analysis to synthesize potential strategies and models and 2) empirically explored food practices and goals of the EthniCity Catering program (Centre for Newcomers) in Calgary, Alberta to illustrate the potential application of such strategies in a specific time and place. This thesis hopes to offer theoretical contributions to geographical discussions on scale in food systems as well as practical implications for food system practitioners. Current industrialized food systems have detrimental consequences for people and the planet. Relocalizing food systems offers one strategy to mitigate these harms; advocates point to opportunities for ecological, economic, and social benefits as reason to localize food production. However, the assumption that the local is inherently preferable to the global can lead academics, practitioners, and consumers into the local trap. With increasing ethnic diversity in Canada, the perception that local is inherently good and global is inherently bad can translate into defensive and exclusionary tendencies towards the food preferences and practices of newcomers, immigrants and refugees. While the literature identifies various manifestations of the local trap, it offers limited investigation of strategies that may overcome this pitfall. In contrast to defensive localism, alternative conceptualizations of scale may support action in favour of collaborative, inclusive, and diversity-receptive outcomes in food systems. Therefore, in this thesis, I aim to identify strategies that may include the food preferences and practices of newcomers while also addressing problematic aspects of industrial food systems. I also seek to understand the mechanisms and conceptualizations that enable such strategies. To accomplish this, 1) I completed a literature analysis to synthesize potential strategies and models and 2) empirically explored food practices and goals of the EthniCity Catering program (Centre for Newcomers) in Calgary, Alberta to illustrate the potential application of such strategies in a specific time and place. This thesis hopes to offer theoretical contributions to geographical discussions on scale in food systems as well as practical implications for food system practitioners.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly