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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Health in HIPPY homes: Exploring women’s experiences of gender, motherhood and social support as determinants of health during refugee resettlement in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada. Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pathways to success: A narrative inquiry into the settlement and integration experiences of refugees from Ethiopia in Canada

This study explored pathways to success through a narrative inquiry into the settlement and integration experiences of refugees from Ethiopia living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study filled an important gap in information that accounted for success by refugees, although there was ample evidence regarding the structural challenges faced by all groups of newcomers in Canada. The end-goal was to develop a deeper understanding into how adult learning could be tailored to meet the needs of refugees and possibly other groups of newcomers. The theoretical frameworks that guided this study included insights about the role of agency, structure, and lifelong learning primarily through the scholarly contributions by Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, and Peter Jarvis. Additionally, the study included insights by multiple scholars who explored the settlement and integration experiences of newcomers in Canada. The narrative data was collected through conversational interviews with the participants. Afterwards, the data was transcribed, analyzed, and stored in consideration of ethical practices. The study revealed multiple perspectives on the meaning of success based on insights shared by the participants. This study explored pathways to success through a narrative inquiry into the settlement and integration experiences of refugees from Ethiopia living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study filled an important gap in information that accounted for success by refugees, although there was ample evidence regarding the structural challenges faced by all groups of newcomers in Canada. The end-goal was to develop a deeper understanding into how adult learning could be tailored to meet the needs of refugees and possibly other groups of newcomers. The theoretical frameworks that guided this study included insights about the role of agency, structure, and lifelong learning primarily through the scholarly contributions by Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, and Peter Jarvis. Additionally, the study included insights by multiple scholars who explored the settlement and integration experiences of newcomers in Canada. The narrative data was collected through conversational interviews with the participants. Afterwards, the data was transcribed, analyzed, and stored in consideration of ethical practices. The study revealed multiple perspectives on the meaning of success based on insights shared by the participants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Sociocultural determinants of children’s oral health among immigrants in Canada

A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries. A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Alberta makes driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees permanent

Last year, Alberta launched a temporary 1 year driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees with a Ukrainian Category B or BE driver’s license. The goal of the program was to help refugees find and access employment and care for their families. As of April 18, 2024, this program is now permanent. Last year, Alberta launched a temporary 1 year driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees with a Ukrainian Category B or BE driver’s license. The goal of the program was to help refugees find and access employment and care for their families. As of April 18, 2024, this program is now permanent.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Forced migration, resettlement, and sport: Lessons from the Kabul-Edmonton soccer team

Forced migration is one of the most pressing crises of our lifetime. Of the millions forced to migrate, many come to know the brutality of state-managed migration that habitually denies asylum seekers and places substantive restrictions on refugees who have been resettled. Sociologists of sport and leisure have examined the sporting experiences of refugees through an intersectional lens, foregrounding how displacement and resettlement are differently lived and negotiated across overlapping power structures and markers of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and legal status. Through a participatory and collective photovoice project, this article explores the experiences of an all-Afghan soccer team that played in a social, co-ed soccer league in the spring of 2022, just after they arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In photovoice narratives and subsequent interviews, team members underlined many of the barriers they faced as they navigated the formal and informal rules and dominant norms of this seemingly inclusive sports landscape. In doing so, they revealed some of the limits of official discourses of Canadian multiculturism, which rarely accommodate more significant forms of difference, and which reproduce racial and ethnic hierarchies that powerfully discipline newcomers who are encouraged to embrace their precarious status as model minorities. Forced migration is one of the most pressing crises of our lifetime. Of the millions forced to migrate, many come to know the brutality of state-managed migration that habitually denies asylum seekers and places substantive restrictions on refugees who have been resettled. Sociologists of sport and leisure have examined the sporting experiences of refugees through an intersectional lens, foregrounding how displacement and resettlement are differently lived and negotiated across overlapping power structures and markers of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and legal status. Through a participatory and collective photovoice project, this article explores the experiences of an all-Afghan soccer team that played in a social, co-ed soccer league in the spring of 2022, just after they arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In photovoice narratives and subsequent interviews, team members underlined many of the barriers they faced as they navigated the formal and informal rules and dominant norms of this seemingly inclusive sports landscape. In doing so, they revealed some of the limits of official discourses of Canadian multiculturism, which rarely accommodate more significant forms of difference, and which reproduce racial and ethnic hierarchies that powerfully discipline newcomers who are encouraged to embrace their precarious status as model minorities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Edmonton’s Rainbow Refuge seeks funding for surge of 2SLGBTQ+ refugees

The Rainbow Refuge, part of the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, has put Edmonton on the map as a safe and supportive city for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees. Rainbow Refuge provides counselling, legal services, housing, employment and community, but with only 3 staff and limited funding, the program is struggling. Members have tripled in the past year, where the program now serves more than 600 people from over 60 countries. Stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees are also shared in the article. The Rainbow Refuge, part of the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, has put Edmonton on the map as a safe and supportive city for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees. Rainbow Refuge provides counselling, legal services, housing, employment and community, but with only 3 staff and limited funding, the program is struggling. Members have tripled in the past year, where the program now serves more than 600 people from over 60 countries. Stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees are also shared in the article.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

“The children are not controllable because they follow Western values”: Narratives of the parenting experiences of African immigrants in Alberta, Canada

African immigrants are moving to high-income nations such as Canada in greater numbers in search of a better life. These immigrants frequently struggle with several issues, including limited social support, shifts in gender roles/status, cultural conflicts with their children, and language barriers. We used participatory action research (PAR) to gather data about Sub-Saharan African immigrants residing in Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a focus on their viewpoints, difficulties, and experiences of parenting children in Canada. We contextualized our study and its findings using both postcolonial feminism and transnationalism approaches. Study findings show African immigrant parents place a high priority on respect between generations. The absence of assistance, conflicts caused by culture, and language barriers are notable difficulties they encountered in parenting. An additional factor is a lack of acquaintance with and comprehension of the culture of their new home nation. Several implications stem from our findings, including the need for interventional research that explores effective, culturally relevant strategies for enhancing parenting among African immigrants. Our findings demonstrate the need for culturally sensitive policies and practices that support the transition and integration of African immigrant families into Canadian society. It is imperative for health care providers and policy makers to develop and revise culturally appropriate policies that take into consideration the importance of African immigrants in destination countries. Adopting culturally relevant policies and practices will improve the wellbeing of this growing but underprivileged minority of Canadians. African immigrants are moving to high-income nations such as Canada in greater numbers in search of a better life. These immigrants frequently struggle with several issues, including limited social support, shifts in gender roles/status, cultural conflicts with their children, and language barriers. We used participatory action research (PAR) to gather data about Sub-Saharan African immigrants residing in Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a focus on their viewpoints, difficulties, and experiences of parenting children in Canada. We contextualized our study and its findings using both postcolonial feminism and transnationalism approaches. Study findings show African immigrant parents place a high priority on respect between generations. The absence of assistance, conflicts caused by culture, and language barriers are notable difficulties they encountered in parenting. An additional factor is a lack of acquaintance with and comprehension of the culture of their new home nation. Several implications stem from our findings, including the need for interventional research that explores effective, culturally relevant strategies for enhancing parenting among African immigrants. Our findings demonstrate the need for culturally sensitive policies and practices that support the transition and integration of African immigrant families into Canadian society. It is imperative for health care providers and policy makers to develop and revise culturally appropriate policies that take into consideration the importance of African immigrants in destination countries. Adopting culturally relevant policies and practices will improve the wellbeing of this growing but underprivileged minority of Canadians.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Edmonton Newcomer Centre Programs and Services Guide: Spring 2024

A comprehensive guide to all the services and programs offered by the Edmonton Newcomer Centre (formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) as of Spring 2024. A comprehensive guide to all the services and programs offered by the Edmonton Newcomer Centre (formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) as of Spring 2024.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

YYC Airport Services for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs)

The YYC Airport Services for TFWs Program launched on October 1, 2022, to be the first point of contact for TFWs and other migrant workers arriving at Calgary’s International Airport before destining to their place of employment. The program utilized a service delivery model that focused on airport reception, client outreach, and parternship development. This report provides a summary of project activities and evaluative findings gathered from October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2024. The YYC Airport Services for TFWs Program launched on October 1, 2022, to be the first point of contact for TFWs and other migrant workers arriving at Calgary’s International Airport before destining to their place of employment. The program utilized a service delivery model that focused on airport reception, client outreach, and parternship development. This report provides a summary of project activities and evaluative findings gathered from October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2024.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program launched October 1, 2022, and is the continuation of the TFW Prairie Region Support Project. The program goal is to deliver a coordinated and collaborative approach to support migrant workers/TFWs across the Prairie Provinces. This report provides a summary of evaluative findings for this program from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024. The Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program launched October 1, 2022, and is the continuation of the TFW Prairie Region Support Project. The program goal is to deliver a coordinated and collaborative approach to support migrant workers/TFWs across the Prairie Provinces. This report provides a summary of evaluative findings for this program from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly