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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Alberta Settlement And Integration Sector Survey Report 2017-2018

This is a provincial survey from January to February 2018. The survey aimed to examine and understand the priorities, systems-level issues and areas of improvement in settlement and integration, to identify any current systems-level issues that are affecting service provider organizations (SPOs), and to highlight areas of improvement for the next fiscal year. The survey findings indicate that the main challenge affecting newcomers is access to Language Programs. When the survey asked participants what the most common barrier that affected individuals’ ability to attend language training the most, over 70% of respondents indicated Childcare Provision and Availability. The findings also show that lack of childcare provision affects newcomers’ ability to access not only education (language programs), but also employment and social activities. Service providers indicated that they experience challenges with data collection which prevents sharing data between organizations. This in turn affects the quality of service delivery. Service providers also expressed a desire for increased sector engagement meaning that they were interested in large-scale events such as summits and seminars. The survey results also indicate that AAISA’s research and policy resources are not being used to a large extent for settlement practices, policy change and funding models. AAISA is committed to increase efforts into changing this tendency and establishing more meaningful connections with the government and policy stakeholders. This is a provincial survey from January to February 2018. The survey aimed to examine and understand the priorities, systems-level issues and areas of improvement in settlement and integration, to identify any current systems-level issues that are affecting service provider organizations (SPOs), and to highlight areas of improvement for the next fiscal year. The survey findings indicate that the main challenge affecting newcomers is access to Language Programs. When the survey asked participants what the most common barrier that affected individuals’ ability to attend language training the most, over 70% of respondents indicated Childcare Provision and Availability. The findings also show that lack of childcare provision affects newcomers’ ability to access not only education (language programs), but also employment and social activities. Service providers indicated that they experience challenges with data collection which prevents sharing data between organizations. This in turn affects the quality of service delivery. Service providers also expressed a desire for increased sector engagement meaning that they were interested in large-scale events such as summits and seminars. The survey results also indicate that AAISA’s research and policy resources are not being used to a large extent for settlement practices, policy change and funding models. AAISA is committed to increase efforts into changing this tendency and establishing more meaningful connections with the government and policy stakeholders.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

A place to call home?: recent immigrant integration experiences in Lethbridge, Alberta

The settlement and integration of immigrants is a common policy focus for governments and researchers across the world. In Canada, these policies have become more relevant over the last twenty years. Still, most of the conversations about integration processes in Canada occur in the context of Canada’s largest and most diverse cities. In this thesis, I examine the settlement experiences of recent landed immigrants in Lethbridge—a small Albertan city. My analyses especially highlight the crucial roles that community support, length of residence, and admission class play in determining settlement outcomes of recent immigrants in Lethbridge, Alberta. Based on the data, it is safe to say that integration is promoted in Lethbridge, but immigrants still do not fare as well as the general population. The outcomes of integration process also varies depending on the lived experience of newcomers. For example, refugees are more susceptible to poorer outcomes of integration processes, while highly educated immigrants tend to perform relatively well. To increase the efficiency of integration programmes in Lethbridge, I propose to hire more immigrants to have their perspectives at the table in decision-making; increase access to and availability of relevant settlement information to immigrants; provide more mental health support; provide specific employment supports for economic immigrants; offer services to people without PR status. The settlement and integration of immigrants is a common policy focus for governments and researchers across the world. In Canada, these policies have become more relevant over the last twenty years. Still, most of the conversations about integration processes in Canada occur in the context of Canada’s largest and most diverse cities. In this thesis, I examine the settlement experiences of recent landed immigrants in Lethbridge—a small Albertan city. My analyses especially highlight the crucial roles that community support, length of residence, and admission class play in determining settlement outcomes of recent immigrants in Lethbridge, Alberta. Based on the data, it is safe to say that integration is promoted in Lethbridge, but immigrants still do not fare as well as the general population. The outcomes of integration process also varies depending on the lived experience of newcomers. For example, refugees are more susceptible to poorer outcomes of integration processes, while highly educated immigrants tend to perform relatively well. To increase the efficiency of integration programmes in Lethbridge, I propose to hire more immigrants to have their perspectives at the table in decision-making; increase access to and availability of relevant settlement information to immigrants; provide more mental health support; provide specific employment supports for economic immigrants; offer services to people without PR status.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Diet quality and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among South Asians in Alberta

South Asians have a higher prevalence of early onset cardiovascular disease risk compared with other populations. Dietary intake is a factor that can affect the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease. Little is known about the dietary intake of South Asians in Alberta, thus the objective of the present study was to describe the dietary patterns among South Asians and their risks for cardiovascular diseases. Central obesity (70%), hypercholesterolemia (27%), and hypertension (14%) were predominant health conditions observed in the study participants. About 56% and 44% of participants obtained moderate and poor HEI (Healthy Eating Index) scores, respectively. The diet quality of the majority of participants was inadequate to meet macro- and micronutrient intake recommendations. The high prevalence of poor/moderate diet quality and pre-existing chronic health conditions across all body mass index groups is a cause for concern in this population. South Asians have a higher prevalence of early onset cardiovascular disease risk compared with other populations. Dietary intake is a factor that can affect the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease. Little is known about the dietary intake of South Asians in Alberta, thus the objective of the present study was to describe the dietary patterns among South Asians and their risks for cardiovascular diseases. Central obesity (70%), hypercholesterolemia (27%), and hypertension (14%) were predominant health conditions observed in the study participants. About 56% and 44% of participants obtained moderate and poor HEI (Healthy Eating Index) scores, respectively. The diet quality of the majority of participants was inadequate to meet macro- and micronutrient intake recommendations. The high prevalence of poor/moderate diet quality and pre-existing chronic health conditions across all body mass index groups is a cause for concern in this population.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Financial support for refugees and asylum seekers

Resettled refugees and asylum seekers receive financial support from federal and provincial governments, however they face costs and barriers unique to their circumstances. Resettled refugees and asylum seekers receive financial support from federal and provincial governments, however they face costs and barriers unique to their circumstances.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Healthcare choices of Ghanian immigrants in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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’ healthcare choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. This research used a qualitative naturalistic approach with ten Ghanaian adult immigrants. 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 supportive 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’ healthcare choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. This research used a qualitative naturalistic approach with ten Ghanaian adult immigrants. 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 supportive system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use among recent newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Factors associated with the timing of the first prenatal ultrasound in Canada

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the timing of the first prenatal ultrasound in Canada. 68.4% of Canadian women received an optimally timed first prenatal ultrasound, 27.4% received early ultrasounds and 4.3% received late ultrasound. Only 68% of Canadian women received an optimally timed prenatal ultrasound which was influenced by several factors including province of prenatal care, maternal age and country of birth, and an interaction effect between prenatal care provider and history of miscarriage. These findings establish a baseline of factors influencing the timing of prenatal ultrasound in Canada, which can be built upon by future studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the timing of the first prenatal ultrasound in Canada. 68.4% of Canadian women received an optimally timed first prenatal ultrasound, 27.4% received early ultrasounds and 4.3% received late ultrasound. Only 68% of Canadian women received an optimally timed prenatal ultrasound which was influenced by several factors including province of prenatal care, maternal age and country of birth, and an interaction effect between prenatal care provider and history of miscarriage. These findings establish a baseline of factors influencing the timing of prenatal ultrasound in Canada, which can be built upon by future studies.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Prevalence of Known Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Multiethnic Urban Youth in Edmonton: Findings From the WHY ACT NOW Project

The Canadian Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CANRISK) is a validated, evidence-based, self-administered tool to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiethnic Canadian adults. Identifying individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes allows early intervention that improves modifiable risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in multiethnic urban youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Almost 25% of the participating multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age scored in the moderate or high category of CANRISK. The most prevalent risk factors were ethnicity, followed by physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and low fruit and vegetable consumption. A validated type 2 diabetes screening tool for youth as well as culturally appropriate, evidence-based and multidisciplinary diet and lifestyle interventions aiming to improve modifiable type 2 diabetes risk factors in multiethnic youth, particularly targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant children and youth, should be developed, implemented and evaluated. The Canadian Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CANRISK) is a validated, evidence-based, self-administered tool to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiethnic Canadian adults. Identifying individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes allows early intervention that improves modifiable risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in multiethnic urban youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Almost 25% of the participating multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age scored in the moderate or high category of CANRISK. The most prevalent risk factors were ethnicity, followed by physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and low fruit and vegetable consumption. A validated type 2 diabetes screening tool for youth as well as culturally appropriate, evidence-based and multidisciplinary diet and lifestyle interventions aiming to improve modifiable type 2 diabetes risk factors in multiethnic youth, particularly targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant children and youth, should be developed, implemented and evaluated.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Brooks Local Immigration Partnership Settlement and Integration Strategy: 2018-2021

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

The lived experience and sense of place among family sponsored late-age Chinese immigrants in Edmonton

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

Lloydminster Immigration and Settlement Needs Assessment

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