Research Library

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.
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Colombians who acquire a university degree in Colombia may still face challenges finding employment. They may choose to immigrate to Canada because the opportunities that this country offers. However, these immigrants may have to apply various strategies to overcome obstacles in their path to success. So, when they immigrate permanently to their host country (Canada as their country of settlement), they may have to overcome barriers, such as discrimination (Quillian et al., 2019) while finding a place in their professional field and integrating into their host communities (community of settlement). As a result, immigrants may find that having a career and speaking the target language is not enough to communicate effectively and build meaningful connections in their host communities. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study with narrative inquiry methodology was to explore the journeys of eight professional Colombian immigrants who felt successful in Calgary, AB, Canada and had two or more years of adaptation and integration to answer the following question: To what extent did professional Colombian immigrants experience holistic Transformative Learning (TL) and enhance Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) after living in Canada for two or more years, in their path to professional success? The study findings have the potential to inform the professional field of adult learning. Colombians who acquire a university degree in Colombia may still face challenges finding employment. They may choose to immigrate to Canada because the opportunities that this country offers. However, these immigrants may have to apply various strategies to overcome obstacles in their path to success. So, when they immigrate permanently to their host country (Canada as their country of settlement), they may have to overcome barriers, such as discrimination (Quillian et al., 2019) while finding a place in their professional field and integrating into their host communities (community of settlement). As a result, immigrants may find that having a career and speaking the target language is not enough to communicate effectively and build meaningful connections in their host communities. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study with narrative inquiry methodology was to explore the journeys of eight professional Colombian immigrants who felt successful in Calgary, AB, Canada and had two or more years of adaptation and integration to answer the following question: To what extent did professional Colombian immigrants experience holistic Transformative Learning (TL) and enhance Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) after living in Canada for two or more years, in their path to professional success? The study findings have the potential to inform the professional field of adult learning.
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What can be learned about the healthcare access of undocumented workers? How can health equity be advanced through sensitivity to the process of precaritization and the precarities informing their lives? Thailand and Spain are the only countries in the world that offer the same healthcare access to undocumented migrants as citizens. Most European countries only offer emergency services: France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland allow undocumented migrants to access similar services to citizens if they meet conditions (proof of identity; length of residence in the country). European cities such as Ghent, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf, offer barrier-free healthcare. Throughout the USA, Federally Qualified Health Centers support care to the uninsured regardless of immigration status. In Canada, Ontario and Quebec, provide a base level of healthcare access to undocumented migrants, and a small number of stand-alone community-based clinics offer additional care and specialized services. To promote healthcare for undocumented migrants in Alberta, barrier-free access to vaccination, COVID-19 treatment, and proof of vaccinations are essential, but an equity lens to healthcare service— informed by analytic understanding and robust approach to precaritization as a social determinant, is most needed. What can be learned about the healthcare access of undocumented workers? How can health equity be advanced through sensitivity to the process of precaritization and the precarities informing their lives? Thailand and Spain are the only countries in the world that offer the same healthcare access to undocumented migrants as citizens. Most European countries only offer emergency services: France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland allow undocumented migrants to access similar services to citizens if they meet conditions (proof of identity; length of residence in the country). European cities such as Ghent, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf, offer barrier-free healthcare. Throughout the USA, Federally Qualified Health Centers support care to the uninsured regardless of immigration status. In Canada, Ontario and Quebec, provide a base level of healthcare access to undocumented migrants, and a small number of stand-alone community-based clinics offer additional care and specialized services. To promote healthcare for undocumented migrants in Alberta, barrier-free access to vaccination, COVID-19 treatment, and proof of vaccinations are essential, but an equity lens to healthcare service— informed by analytic understanding and robust approach to precaritization as a social determinant, is most needed.
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The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services? The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services?
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The Community Anti-Racism Action Strategy is a comprehensive report developed by the City of Calgary to inform its Anti-Racism Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. The report outlines recommendations for shifting the city as an overall system, including actions that focus on underlying policies, structures, and procedures. It is an invitation to create positive relationships, live in reciprocity, and take action towards a future that includes all of us. The report is committed to creating a Calgary where Indigenous, Black and diverse Racialized communities feel safe, welcome, included and are treated with dignity. It incorporates Indigenous teachings and perspectives into its anti-racism framework and provides guidance for individuals and communities to actively participate in anti-racism efforts in Calgary. The Community Anti-Racism Action Strategy is a comprehensive report developed by the City of Calgary to inform its Anti-Racism Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. The report outlines recommendations for shifting the city as an overall system, including actions that focus on underlying policies, structures, and procedures. It is an invitation to create positive relationships, live in reciprocity, and take action towards a future that includes all of us. The report is committed to creating a Calgary where Indigenous, Black and diverse Racialized communities feel safe, welcome, included and are treated with dignity. It incorporates Indigenous teachings and perspectives into its anti-racism framework and provides guidance for individuals and communities to actively participate in anti-racism efforts in Calgary.
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The Youth and Anti-Racism (YARI) Collective, a research project by Dr. Pallavi Banerjee and Dr. Pratim Sengupta at the University of Calgary, connects racialized refugee and newcomer youth to art, anti-racism and community experiences. On March 28, 2023 YARI hosted an interactive art and technology installation titled ‘Landings: Anti-Racist Futures in Stories’ highlighting the youth’s stories of love, friendships, grief and pain through various artistic mediums (e.g. stop motion animation). The Youth and Anti-Racism (YARI) Collective, a research project by Dr. Pallavi Banerjee and Dr. Pratim Sengupta at the University of Calgary, connects racialized refugee and newcomer youth to art, anti-racism and community experiences. On March 28, 2023 YARI hosted an interactive art and technology installation titled ‘Landings: Anti-Racist Futures in Stories’ highlighting the youth’s stories of love, friendships, grief and pain through various artistic mediums (e.g. stop motion animation).
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We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies. We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies.
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International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who completed their medical degree and training outside Canada area notable portion of skilled migrants to Canada. However, due to a long and uncertain licensure process and limited opportunities many IMGs look for alternative career pathways where they can utilize their learned skills. Alternative careers in the health and wellness sector may offer such opportunities; however, IMGs’ success in these pathways were also less evident despite their high potential. Barriers that IMGs face when attempting alternative jobs in Canada was studied through focus groups in Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON. Focus groups found that IMGs encounter many barriers in different stages of their resettlement journey in Canada, including both the pre-migration and post-migration phases. Collaborations between organizations, policy makers and researchers are needed to target these barriers. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who completed their medical degree and training outside Canada area notable portion of skilled migrants to Canada. However, due to a long and uncertain licensure process and limited opportunities many IMGs look for alternative career pathways where they can utilize their learned skills. Alternative careers in the health and wellness sector may offer such opportunities; however, IMGs’ success in these pathways were also less evident despite their high potential. Barriers that IMGs face when attempting alternative jobs in Canada was studied through focus groups in Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON. Focus groups found that IMGs encounter many barriers in different stages of their resettlement journey in Canada, including both the pre-migration and post-migration phases. Collaborations between organizations, policy makers and researchers are needed to target these barriers.
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The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Maturity Model provides a 5 Level pathway to achieving an anti-racist Calgary. The 5 Levels are: 1) compliance, 2) complacency, 3) awareness, 4) integration, and 5) anti-racist. Since the 2022 assessment, Calgary is currently at Level 2: complacency. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aims to reach Level 5: anti-racist. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Maturity Model provides a 5 Level pathway to achieving an anti-racist Calgary. The 5 Levels are: 1) compliance, 2) complacency, 3) awareness, 4) integration, and 5) anti-racist. Since the 2022 assessment, Calgary is currently at Level 2: complacency. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aims to reach Level 5: anti-racist.
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The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly