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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

The Construction of Migrant Work and Workers by Alberta Legislatorsб 2000-2011

This paper explores how government members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly (MLAs) “constructed” migrant work and migrant workers in legislature and media statements between 2000 and 2011. Government MLAs asserted that migrant work (1) was economically necessary and (2) posed no threat to Canadian workers. Government MLAs also asserted that international migrant workers (3) had questionable occupational, linguistic or cultural skills and (4) caused negative social and economic impacts in Canada. Taken individually, these narratives appear contradictory, casting migrant work as good but migrant workers as bad. Viewed together, these narratives comprise an effort to dehumanize temporary and permanent international migrant workers. This (sometimes racialized) “othering” of migrant workers justifies migrant workers’ partial citizenship and suppresses criticism of their poor treatment. This paper explores how government members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly (MLAs) “constructed” migrant work and migrant workers in legislature and media statements between 2000 and 2011. Government MLAs asserted that migrant work (1) was economically necessary and (2) posed no threat to Canadian workers. Government MLAs also asserted that international migrant workers (3) had questionable occupational, linguistic or cultural skills and (4) caused negative social and economic impacts in Canada. Taken individually, these narratives appear contradictory, casting migrant work as good but migrant workers as bad. Viewed together, these narratives comprise an effort to dehumanize temporary and permanent international migrant workers. This (sometimes racialized) “othering” of migrant workers justifies migrant workers’ partial citizenship and suppresses criticism of their poor treatment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigrant Mothers’ Perspectives of Barriers and Facilitators in Accessing Mental Health Care for Their Children

Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications. Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Conceptualizing attitudes toward immigrants among undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta

Canada is commended as a country that celebrates multicultural diversity; however, literature suggests that this may not universally be the case for individual Canadians. This research study utilizes the Social Dominance Orientation 7 scale (SDO7 scale) as well as an Immigrant Attitudes Measure with undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta. Questionnaires and interviews were used to achieve the purpose of this research study: to examine the socio-demographic factors, perceptions, and beliefs held by Canadian-born undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta and how these elements may influence SDO and attitudes held about immigrants by these students. Using thematic analysis, six themes were established from the interviews and non-parametric statistical testing was used to establish relationships between variables. As both a member of the Canadian host society and a second-generation immigrant, the researcher also uses journaling to report personal reflections gleaned during the interview process. Canada is commended as a country that celebrates multicultural diversity; however, literature suggests that this may not universally be the case for individual Canadians. This research study utilizes the Social Dominance Orientation 7 scale (SDO7 scale) as well as an Immigrant Attitudes Measure with undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta. Questionnaires and interviews were used to achieve the purpose of this research study: to examine the socio-demographic factors, perceptions, and beliefs held by Canadian-born undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta and how these elements may influence SDO and attitudes held about immigrants by these students. Using thematic analysis, six themes were established from the interviews and non-parametric statistical testing was used to establish relationships between variables. As both a member of the Canadian host society and a second-generation immigrant, the researcher also uses journaling to report personal reflections gleaned during the interview process.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Vulnerabilities and strengths in parent-adolescent relationships in Bangladeshi immigrant families in Alberta

This study investigated the challenges and parent-adolescent relationship factors that contribute to resilience and the successful adjustment of Bangladeshi families following immigration to Canada. The systems framework of family resilience (Walsh, 2006) was used to interpret how Bangladeshi immigrant adolescents and parents experienced and navigated immigration challenges. Using a qualitative approach, four adolescent girls and four parents of adolescents were interviewed to inquire into their experience of challenges related to adolescent development, the immigrant experiences, and parent-adolescent relationships influencing their post-immigration adjustment. Immigrant adolescents faced language and cultural barriers, bullying and discrimination in their school environment while rituals, customs and values from their culture of origin diminished. They felt pressured by their parent’s career expectations and felt they suffered gender discrimination in the family. Parents faced economic and career challenges and a difficult parenting experience. Optimism about the future, parental encouragement, mutual empathy of each other’s struggles, sharing feelings, open and clear communication, flexibility in parenting style and anchoring in cultural values and religious beliefs helped parents and adolescents become more resilient in maintaining a positive outlook with a positive view of their immigration. In some cases, the challenges of immigration pulled the families closer together in mutual support. It is hoped that findings from this study will assist in developing effective social programmes to ease adolescents’ and parents’ transitions among immigrants and to promote resiliency in immigrant families. This study investigated the challenges and parent-adolescent relationship factors that contribute to resilience and the successful adjustment of Bangladeshi families following immigration to Canada. The systems framework of family resilience (Walsh, 2006) was used to interpret how Bangladeshi immigrant adolescents and parents experienced and navigated immigration challenges. Using a qualitative approach, four adolescent girls and four parents of adolescents were interviewed to inquire into their experience of challenges related to adolescent development, the immigrant experiences, and parent-adolescent relationships influencing their post-immigration adjustment. Immigrant adolescents faced language and cultural barriers, bullying and discrimination in their school environment while rituals, customs and values from their culture of origin diminished. They felt pressured by their parent’s career expectations and felt they suffered gender discrimination in the family. Parents faced economic and career challenges and a difficult parenting experience. Optimism about the future, parental encouragement, mutual empathy of each other’s struggles, sharing feelings, open and clear communication, flexibility in parenting style and anchoring in cultural values and religious beliefs helped parents and adolescents become more resilient in maintaining a positive outlook with a positive view of their immigration. In some cases, the challenges of immigration pulled the families closer together in mutual support. It is hoped that findings from this study will assist in developing effective social programmes to ease adolescents’ and parents’ transitions among immigrants and to promote resiliency in immigrant families.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

School Resource Officers and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Currently, there is a strong debate on whether School Resource Officers (SROs) should be removed from Edmonton schools. SROs are often not given specialized training to work in schools or with youth—they rely on basic police training. Illustrating this point, some students in Edmonton have claimed that officers at their schools view students as potential threats and criminals rather than as young students. The debate to remove SROs is part of the growing conversation around Black Lives Matter and police brutality. Many argue that SROs extend police involvement, discrimination, and brutality into the lives of BIPOC youth and children, which brings them into—and keeps them entrenched in— the criminal justice system. Currently, there is a strong debate on whether School Resource Officers (SROs) should be removed from Edmonton schools. SROs are often not given specialized training to work in schools or with youth—they rely on basic police training. Illustrating this point, some students in Edmonton have claimed that officers at their schools view students as potential threats and criminals rather than as young students. The debate to remove SROs is part of the growing conversation around Black Lives Matter and police brutality. Many argue that SROs extend police involvement, discrimination, and brutality into the lives of BIPOC youth and children, which brings them into—and keeps them entrenched in— the criminal justice system.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Accessibility of domestic violence services in Canada for South Asian immigrant women

The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included. The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Community anti-racism action strategy: Weaving a shared path forward for an anti-racist 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. 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.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigrant women’s experiences of domestic violence in Canada: a qualitative file audit

Domestic violence (DV) experienced by immigrant women is a global health concern. Precarious immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination can lead to reluctance in seeking support. Is a non-profit charitable organization and support center for immigrant women. Participants in this study were immigrant women who attended Changing Together. The aim of this study is to illustrate immigrant women’s experiences of DV and identify the community services they access. Domestic violence (DV) experienced by immigrant women is a global health concern. Precarious immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination can lead to reluctance in seeking support. Is a non-profit charitable organization and support center for immigrant women. Participants in this study were immigrant women who attended Changing Together. The aim of this study is to illustrate immigrant women’s experiences of DV and identify the community services they access.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Navigating biases and distrust of systems: American and Canadian intimate partner violence service providers’ experiences with trans and immigrant women clients

To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed. To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

It’s just about having fun? Interrogating the lived experiences of newcomers to Canada in introductory winter sport programmes

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