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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
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
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
Accessible primary health care is essential for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. This study explored barriers to accessing care among a relatively less studied immigrant population group, Nepalese immigrant women, which will help effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary health care for the wider immigrant population in Canada. Community-engaged focus groups were conducted in Calgary, AB. The focus groups identified long wait times as a major barrier to receiving PHC services, along with lack of proficiency in English, lack of access to medical records, competing responsibilities and unfamiliarity with the Canadian healthcare system. Accessible primary health care is essential for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. This study explored barriers to accessing care among a relatively less studied immigrant population group, Nepalese immigrant women, which will help effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary health care for the wider immigrant population in Canada. Community-engaged focus groups were conducted in Calgary, AB. The focus groups identified long wait times as a major barrier to receiving PHC services, along with lack of proficiency in English, lack of access to medical records, competing responsibilities and unfamiliarity with the Canadian healthcare system.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
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
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
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
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
Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community. Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
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
This community-based research study provides new data collected from 25 in-depth individual interviews with immigrant women HCAs who were working in LTC in Calgary, Alberta between January 1 and March 30, 2021. The data, analysed through the lens of intersectional exclusion, highlight how the pandemic has impacted the working lives of immigrant women employed in LTC facilities on a daily basis, as well as their suggestions for enhancing their safety and employment conditions. Two key themes emerged during the process of data analysis: (a) HCA experiences of economic exclusion and workplace precarity—many of which pre-dated the pandemic but have been exacerbated by current policies and practices that prioritize profits over quality of community care, and (b) experiences of broader social exclusion, many of which are tied to being considered “just HCAs” who are doing “immigrant’s work”, rather than including HCAs in broader conversations about how to reform and improve the LTC sector for future. Concluding thoughts discuss how to improve policy to support low wage workers within LTC in order to address intersectional inequalities and to better support front-line care workers during current and future health pandemic recovery efforts. This community-based research study provides new data collected from 25 in-depth individual interviews with immigrant women HCAs who were working in LTC in Calgary, Alberta between January 1 and March 30, 2021. The data, analysed through the lens of intersectional exclusion, highlight how the pandemic has impacted the working lives of immigrant women employed in LTC facilities on a daily basis, as well as their suggestions for enhancing their safety and employment conditions. Two key themes emerged during the process of data analysis: (a) HCA experiences of economic exclusion and workplace precarity—many of which pre-dated the pandemic but have been exacerbated by current policies and practices that prioritize profits over quality of community care, and (b) experiences of broader social exclusion, many of which are tied to being considered “just HCAs” who are doing “immigrant’s work”, rather than including HCAs in broader conversations about how to reform and improve the LTC sector for future. Concluding thoughts discuss how to improve policy to support low wage workers within LTC in order to address intersectional inequalities and to better support front-line care workers during current and future health pandemic recovery efforts.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
