Research Library

Immigrant and refugee (im/migrant) families settled in Alberta (AB) are often challenged to overcome structural barriers (i.e., accent discrimination, English as a foreign language, culture shock) in the way of navigating and actively utilizing vaccination services. Research is scarce on the impact of childhood vaccination policies on children of im/migrants in Alberta. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality-based evaluation framework, inclusive of health equity principles, to critically analyze and investigate current Alberta jurisdictional (AJ) childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance. More specifically, the focus of this research was to examine equity considerations in the policies as it relates to vaccinations of im/migrant children. This critical policy analysis inquired and sought to find out to what extent vaccination of children of im/migrants are equitably accounted for in the Alberta context. Relevant sources on Alberta childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were retrieved from the Government of Alberta (GoA) and the Government of Canada (GoC) websites. Initial and retroactive searches, within a 15 year range, led to the content analysis of a total of 25 eligible GoA and GoC-AJ document(s) using an intersectionality-based health equity lens (acknowledgment of impact of immigration status and race/ethnicity on health). All of the childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were found to lack acknowledgement of the existence of structural barriers that im/migrant families face. Recommendations for more inclusive vaccination policies are discussed. Immigrant and refugee (im/migrant) families settled in Alberta (AB) are often challenged to overcome structural barriers (i.e., accent discrimination, English as a foreign language, culture shock) in the way of navigating and actively utilizing vaccination services. Research is scarce on the impact of childhood vaccination policies on children of im/migrants in Alberta. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality-based evaluation framework, inclusive of health equity principles, to critically analyze and investigate current Alberta jurisdictional (AJ) childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance. More specifically, the focus of this research was to examine equity considerations in the policies as it relates to vaccinations of im/migrant children. This critical policy analysis inquired and sought to find out to what extent vaccination of children of im/migrants are equitably accounted for in the Alberta context. Relevant sources on Alberta childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were retrieved from the Government of Alberta (GoA) and the Government of Canada (GoC) websites. Initial and retroactive searches, within a 15 year range, led to the content analysis of a total of 25 eligible GoA and GoC-AJ document(s) using an intersectionality-based health equity lens (acknowledgment of impact of immigration status and race/ethnicity on health). All of the childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were found to lack acknowledgement of the existence of structural barriers that im/migrant families face. Recommendations for more inclusive vaccination policies are discussed.
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The report presents research findings on the challenges faced by different communities, examines these findings in light of stakeholders’ experiences and insights, and explores the strengths and weaknesses of these communities. The report highlights key areas of concern for Black community leaders and organizations in Edmonton, AB and across Canada, including issues related to accessibility, professional integration, social and cultural isolation, minority statuses, and shifting identity. A systematic analysis is currently underway to expand on this preliminary report. The report presents research findings on the challenges faced by different communities, examines these findings in light of stakeholders’ experiences and insights, and explores the strengths and weaknesses of these communities. The report highlights key areas of concern for Black community leaders and organizations in Edmonton, AB and across Canada, including issues related to accessibility, professional integration, social and cultural isolation, minority statuses, and shifting identity. A systematic analysis is currently underway to expand on this preliminary report.
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This guide provides an overview of where and how Ukrainian immigrants can access a variety of settlement and integration services, as well as any requirements or other eligibility needs for accessing certain programs. This guide provides an overview of where and how Ukrainian immigrants can access a variety of settlement and integration services, as well as any requirements or other eligibility needs for accessing certain programs.
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In this report, Edmonton City Council is being asked to approve the Anti-Racism Strategy to support the equity of racialized communities in Edmonton, structural changes within the City of Edmonton Administration, as well as the development of an implementation and financing plan to activate the Strategy. This work will be prioritized in Administration’s work for the long-term City Plan alignment. The proposed anti-racism strategy outlines 3 elements to advance anti-racism in Edmonton, and is asking Council for both approval of the strategy as well as an increase in operating expenditure budget. In this report, Edmonton City Council is being asked to approve the Anti-Racism Strategy to support the equity of racialized communities in Edmonton, structural changes within the City of Edmonton Administration, as well as the development of an implementation and financing plan to activate the Strategy. This work will be prioritized in Administration’s work for the long-term City Plan alignment. The proposed anti-racism strategy outlines 3 elements to advance anti-racism in Edmonton, and is asking Council for both approval of the strategy as well as an increase in operating expenditure budget.
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Healthcare access and mental health challenges faced by Black refugees in Calgary and Edmonton, AB were explored. Language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of trust in the healthcare system were major obstacles to accessing care. Successful programs and initiatives implemented in other countries to promote health equity among refugee populations are highlighted. Overall, the importance of taking a holistic approach to addressing the mental health needs of Black refugees in Canada is emphasized. Healthcare access and mental health challenges faced by Black refugees in Calgary and Edmonton, AB were explored. Language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of trust in the healthcare system were major obstacles to accessing care. Successful programs and initiatives implemented in other countries to promote health equity among refugee populations are highlighted. Overall, the importance of taking a holistic approach to addressing the mental health needs of Black refugees in Canada is emphasized.
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An overview of the Rainbow Refuge program at the Edmonton Newcomers Centre (previously called the Edmonton Mennonite Newcomers Centre). Rainbow Refuge was the first LGBTQ+ program in the Edmonton settlement sector, and provides support and programming in the following 4 areas: 1) immigration, 2) settlement, employment and mental health, 3) community connection, and 4) education and advocacy. An overview of the Rainbow Refuge program at the Edmonton Newcomers Centre (previously called the Edmonton Mennonite Newcomers Centre). Rainbow Refuge was the first LGBTQ+ program in the Edmonton settlement sector, and provides support and programming in the following 4 areas: 1) immigration, 2) settlement, employment and mental health, 3) community connection, and 4) education and advocacy.
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Grande Prairie and District Multicultural Association conducted a needs assessment and a community discussion to examine racism and discrimination against visible minorities in the city. Personal accounts of racism, racist barriers, and strategies to reduce racism and promote multiculturalism, are discussed. Grande Prairie and District Multicultural Association conducted a needs assessment and a community discussion to examine racism and discrimination against visible minorities in the city. Personal accounts of racism, racist barriers, and strategies to reduce racism and promote multiculturalism, are discussed.
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This cross-sectional study examines the healthcare experiences of Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on comparing experiences between those born in and outside Canada. The study collected 10,175 surveys in October 2020, with nearly 10% of respondents reporting their status as born outside Canada. The study found that foreign-born Albertans experienced more delays in care and had less access to healthcare services than Canadian-born Albertans. The study highlights the need for policy and practice changes to address the healthcare disparities faced by immigrant populations during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study examines the healthcare experiences of Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on comparing experiences between those born in and outside Canada. The study collected 10,175 surveys in October 2020, with nearly 10% of respondents reporting their status as born outside Canada. The study found that foreign-born Albertans experienced more delays in care and had less access to healthcare services than Canadian-born Albertans. The study highlights the need for policy and practice changes to address the healthcare disparities faced by immigrant populations during the pandemic.
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The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Youth Physical Activity Guidelines are the national criterion standard for youth physical activity. Minimal research exists regarding CSEP Guideline adherence in immigrant youth despite this population’s significance in Canada. The purpose of this study was to foster an understanding of physical activity guideline adherence in Albertan immigrant youth. The study objectives were to determine Albertan immigrant youth’s adherence levels, barriers to adherence, recommendations to improve adherence, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence. A qualitative exploratory design was used. Purposive sampling from Edmonton community-agencies occurred to generate a sample of 6 community service-workers who have experience with Canadian immigrant youth and physical activity. Data collection occurred through virtual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis occurred via Braun and Clarke’s Six Thematic Analysis Steps. This study’s findings can optimize nursing health promotion efforts and organizational policies, inform health promotion protocols in nursing education, and guide further research that would enhance the breadth of current literature. Collectively, this study helps provide a foundation for promoting the health of Albertan immigrant youth. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Youth Physical Activity Guidelines are the national criterion standard for youth physical activity. Minimal research exists regarding CSEP Guideline adherence in immigrant youth despite this population’s significance in Canada. The purpose of this study was to foster an understanding of physical activity guideline adherence in Albertan immigrant youth. The study objectives were to determine Albertan immigrant youth’s adherence levels, barriers to adherence, recommendations to improve adherence, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence. A qualitative exploratory design was used. Purposive sampling from Edmonton community-agencies occurred to generate a sample of 6 community service-workers who have experience with Canadian immigrant youth and physical activity. Data collection occurred through virtual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis occurred via Braun and Clarke’s Six Thematic Analysis Steps. This study’s findings can optimize nursing health promotion efforts and organizational policies, inform health promotion protocols in nursing education, and guide further research that would enhance the breadth of current literature. Collectively, this study helps provide a foundation for promoting the health of Albertan immigrant youth.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity. Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly