Research Library

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by newcomers in rural areas of Alberta and the support networks available to them. The report is based on research conducted between fall 2022 and spring 2023 and includes insights from network discussions, conversations with background experts, and supplementary information gathered during the project. The report highlights the importance of community organizations and government programs in helping newcomers settle in rural areas and provides recommendations for improving support networks. The report also outlines the demographic information about each participant’s role, the services they provide, their funding situation, the specific industries operating in each participant community, their Rural Renewal or Rural Entrepreneur stream status, and other information to provide an at-a-glance picture of the community context for each interview. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by newcomers in rural areas of Alberta and the support networks available to them. The report is based on research conducted between fall 2022 and spring 2023 and includes insights from network discussions, conversations with background experts, and supplementary information gathered during the project. The report highlights the importance of community organizations and government programs in helping newcomers settle in rural areas and provides recommendations for improving support networks. The report also outlines the demographic information about each participant’s role, the services they provide, their funding situation, the specific industries operating in each participant community, their Rural Renewal or Rural Entrepreneur stream status, and other information to provide an at-a-glance picture of the community context for each interview.
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This study examined the underexplored relationship between winter sport, newcomer participation, integration, and national identity. This study examined the underexplored relationship between winter sport, newcomer participation, integration, and national identity.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy. Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, approximately 50,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada between 2015 and 2020. Upon arrival, Syrians needed to find housing, employment, healthcare, and language training. They also had to address psychosocial needs, such as cultivating social supports and establishing a sense of safety, which are critical for mitigating trauma and stress related to resettlement. In March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and disproportionately impacted refugees by compounding pre-existing and systemic health, social, and economic inequities. Refugees are identified as particularly vulnerable during the pandemic due to the precarious working, living, economic, and health conditions they often face. Only three Canadian studies to date have explored Syrian refugee experiences during COVID-19: one used quantitative methods, the other focused on postnatal women, and one explored housing stability. Therefore, there is a dearth of qualitative information regarding how Syrian refugees in Canada have been impacted by the pandemic, especially regarding their psychosocial adaptation during this period. This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Syrian refugees in Canada and identified supports needed, from the perspectives of Syrian refugees themselves. This study is embedded within a broader community-based participatory research project investigating psychosocial adaptation with the Syrian refugee community and used qualitative description and thematic analysis to examine semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 Syrian refugees. Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, approximately 50,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada between 2015 and 2020. Upon arrival, Syrians needed to find housing, employment, healthcare, and language training. They also had to address psychosocial needs, such as cultivating social supports and establishing a sense of safety, which are critical for mitigating trauma and stress related to resettlement. In March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and disproportionately impacted refugees by compounding pre-existing and systemic health, social, and economic inequities. Refugees are identified as particularly vulnerable during the pandemic due to the precarious working, living, economic, and health conditions they often face. Only three Canadian studies to date have explored Syrian refugee experiences during COVID-19: one used quantitative methods, the other focused on postnatal women, and one explored housing stability. Therefore, there is a dearth of qualitative information regarding how Syrian refugees in Canada have been impacted by the pandemic, especially regarding their psychosocial adaptation during this period. This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Syrian refugees in Canada and identified supports needed, from the perspectives of Syrian refugees themselves. This study is embedded within a broader community-based participatory research project investigating psychosocial adaptation with the Syrian refugee community and used qualitative description and thematic analysis to examine semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 Syrian refugees.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada. This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Although the number of students attending university has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years, discrepancies remain across racialized student groups. Students who immigrate to Canada also face a number of barriers to university participation. However, few studies investigate variations in university participation across racialized immigrant student groups. We draw on an intersectional approach to analyze student data from the Toronto District School Board. We employ multilevel logistic regression to examine if there are interactive effects of being both racialized and having an immigrant status on confirming a university enrollment. Looking at self-identified race and immigrant status of students in combination reveals that there are important differences in the likelihood of confirming and offer of university admission between several self-identified racial categories, depending on if they were foreign-born. Although the number of students attending university has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years, discrepancies remain across racialized student groups. Students who immigrate to Canada also face a number of barriers to university participation. However, few studies investigate variations in university participation across racialized immigrant student groups. We draw on an intersectional approach to analyze student data from the Toronto District School Board. We employ multilevel logistic regression to examine if there are interactive effects of being both racialized and having an immigrant status on confirming a university enrollment. Looking at self-identified race and immigrant status of students in combination reveals that there are important differences in the likelihood of confirming and offer of university admission between several self-identified racial categories, depending on if they were foreign-born.
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This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices. This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices.
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Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units. Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Physical Literacy (PL) is foundational to the development of movement competencies, paired with the knowledge and motivation for regular physical activity. Among the more prominent gaps in the literature is the design and evaluation of programs that aim to increase PL within specific populations, such as new immigrants or refugee youth. The Immigrant-focused Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program is a 8-week PL program designed for new immigrant and refugee youth who have recently settled in Calgary, Alberta. IPLAY includes different sports and games targeted at participants’ confidence, competence, motivation, and knowledge and understanding. This article discusses the result of a study that evaluates the feasibility of the IPLAY as an intervention program for newcomers. Physical Literacy (PL) is foundational to the development of movement competencies, paired with the knowledge and motivation for regular physical activity. Among the more prominent gaps in the literature is the design and evaluation of programs that aim to increase PL within specific populations, such as new immigrants or refugee youth. The Immigrant-focused Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program is a 8-week PL program designed for new immigrant and refugee youth who have recently settled in Calgary, Alberta. IPLAY includes different sports and games targeted at participants’ confidence, competence, motivation, and knowledge and understanding. This article discusses the result of a study that evaluates the feasibility of the IPLAY as an intervention program for newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify African immigrant mothers’ views of perinatal mental health and to identify predictors of those views, and 2) identify African immigrant mothers’ views regarding perinatal mental health screening and to determine factors associated with those views. A survey conducted across Alberta (predominantly in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge) showed African immigrant mothers’ knowledge of postnatal mental health is high, but there is less knowledge on prenatal mental health and its effect on child development. There was also high acceptability of universal perinatal mental health screening. The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify African immigrant mothers’ views of perinatal mental health and to identify predictors of those views, and 2) identify African immigrant mothers’ views regarding perinatal mental health screening and to determine factors associated with those views. A survey conducted across Alberta (predominantly in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge) showed African immigrant mothers’ knowledge of postnatal mental health is high, but there is less knowledge on prenatal mental health and its effect on child development. There was also high acceptability of universal perinatal mental health screening.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly