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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada. This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Following a peak in the number of migrants admitted to Canada via its Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the program underwent significant changes in 2014 and 2015 that will undoubtedly affect the lives of temporary foreign workers in Canada. These changes include a limitation on the length of time temporary foreign workers are allowed to remain in the country, a greater distinction between high- and low-wage workers, and more restricted rights for low-wage workers. So far, the impacts of these recent policy changes on temporary foreign workers in Canada have not been the subject of much research. Thus, we sought to examine the impact of recent policy changes of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on these migrants specifically in Alberta. Findings from the focus groups reveal that the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program policy have created a burden for temporary foreign workers as well as their employers, intensified the exploitation of migrant workers, and contributed to a high level of anxiety and poor mental health status among these workers. This study has two major policy recommendations: (1) grant open work permits to temporary foreign workers, and (2) create pathways to citizenship for low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Alberta. The study also recognizes a need for future action research. Following a peak in the number of migrants admitted to Canada via its Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the program underwent significant changes in 2014 and 2015 that will undoubtedly affect the lives of temporary foreign workers in Canada. These changes include a limitation on the length of time temporary foreign workers are allowed to remain in the country, a greater distinction between high- and low-wage workers, and more restricted rights for low-wage workers. So far, the impacts of these recent policy changes on temporary foreign workers in Canada have not been the subject of much research. Thus, we sought to examine the impact of recent policy changes of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on these migrants specifically in Alberta. Findings from the focus groups reveal that the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program policy have created a burden for temporary foreign workers as well as their employers, intensified the exploitation of migrant workers, and contributed to a high level of anxiety and poor mental health status among these workers. This study has two major policy recommendations: (1) grant open work permits to temporary foreign workers, and (2) create pathways to citizenship for low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Alberta. The study also recognizes a need for future action research.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Alberta relies on temporary foreign workers far more than any other province. This report documents the result of a survey with front-line workers in settlement and other community organizations who work with newcomers. In Alberta, the survey results show that migrant workers need more support, safety, advocacy, and services. Interim healthcare and an easier pathway for Permanent Residency should also be available for migrant workers. Alberta relies on temporary foreign workers far more than any other province. This report documents the result of a survey with front-line workers in settlement and other community organizations who work with newcomers. In Alberta, the survey results show that migrant workers need more support, safety, advocacy, and services. Interim healthcare and an easier pathway for Permanent Residency should also be available for migrant workers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination. Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This article documents the impact of recently introduced restrictive family reunification policies on immigrants living in Canada today. Since 2008, Canadian immigration policy has changed dramatically with renewed neoliberal emphasis on economic immigrants and labor-market integration (younger, high-skilled immigrants with strong English or French language skills are prioritized over other groups of newcomers). This led to making the process of reuniting families more difficult and expensive. This article explores the impact of this policy shift on immigrant families and on immigrant women and children in particular. This article argues that there are profound human costs to limiting family reunification; these costs are disproportionately borne by immigrant women (who tend to take addition responsibilities of child care) and ultimately impact immigrant integration and belonging. This article documents the impact of recently introduced restrictive family reunification policies on immigrants living in Canada today. Since 2008, Canadian immigration policy has changed dramatically with renewed neoliberal emphasis on economic immigrants and labor-market integration (younger, high-skilled immigrants with strong English or French language skills are prioritized over other groups of newcomers). This led to making the process of reuniting families more difficult and expensive. This article explores the impact of this policy shift on immigrant families and on immigrant women and children in particular. This article argues that there are profound human costs to limiting family reunification; these costs are disproportionately borne by immigrant women (who tend to take addition responsibilities of child care) and ultimately impact immigrant integration and belonging.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
New immigrants generally arrive in Canada with a health advantage over their Canadian counterparts, but lose that advantage over time. Difficulties in acquiring a physician may contribute. Past studies relied on older data, and lacked control for many confounders and assessment of gender differences. We assessed the relationship between immigrant status and having a regular doctor among Canadian adults. New Canadian immigrants are less likely to have a regular doctor compared to non-immigrants, and should be targeted by policies and programs facilitating finding a doctor. New immigrants generally arrive in Canada with a health advantage over their Canadian counterparts, but lose that advantage over time. Difficulties in acquiring a physician may contribute. Past studies relied on older data, and lacked control for many confounders and assessment of gender differences. We assessed the relationship between immigrant status and having a regular doctor among Canadian adults. New Canadian immigrants are less likely to have a regular doctor compared to non-immigrants, and should be targeted by policies and programs facilitating finding a doctor.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
While the subject of “Muslim integration” has received extensive scholarly attention, especially in the Western European context, there has been little study of the subject in Canada. Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants who make up 20 percent of the population. Yet, Canada has not fully escaped the debates and anxieties related to the accommodation of Muslim immigrants and the integration of those populations. In particular, these anxieties have been displayed around the proposal to use religious law in family based disputes in Ontario in 2005, controversies around the wearing of the niqab in the oath of citizenship, the admission of Syrian refugees in 2015, and concerns over homegrown violent extremism after the 11th of September 2001. This article examines social integration among Canada’s diverse Muslim communities. Using the barometer of a sense of national belonging, it examines the life experiences of Canadian Muslims and their ideas and sentiments related to belonging. It concludes that despite concerns in the community over discrimination and divisive areas of public policy (e.g., security), Canadian Muslims are well integrated socially. While the subject of “Muslim integration” has received extensive scholarly attention, especially in the Western European context, there has been little study of the subject in Canada. Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants who make up 20 percent of the population. Yet, Canada has not fully escaped the debates and anxieties related to the accommodation of Muslim immigrants and the integration of those populations. In particular, these anxieties have been displayed around the proposal to use religious law in family based disputes in Ontario in 2005, controversies around the wearing of the niqab in the oath of citizenship, the admission of Syrian refugees in 2015, and concerns over homegrown violent extremism after the 11th of September 2001. This article examines social integration among Canada’s diverse Muslim communities. Using the barometer of a sense of national belonging, it examines the life experiences of Canadian Muslims and their ideas and sentiments related to belonging. It concludes that despite concerns in the community over discrimination and divisive areas of public policy (e.g., security), Canadian Muslims are well integrated socially.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Despite the fact that municipalities are primary recipients of immigrants to Canada, they almost have no formal role in developing immigration and integration policies and programs. As such, they are primarily left or kept out of the current model of immigration and integration governance. Since immigration and integration are not stand-alone issues, they require partnership and collaboration involving multiple levels of government and community partners. This study explores municipal roles in immigrant settlement and integration. More specifically it explores how the City of Calgary has worked closely with community partners at the neighbourhood level in developing a hub model of community-based initiatives that engage various organizations as well as newcomers and established community members in using a holistic, multifaceted and collaborative approach for creating warmer and more welcoming communities, inclusive spaces, and innovative and progressive programs needed for facilitating the settlement and integration of newcomers. Despite the fact that municipalities are primary recipients of immigrants to Canada, they almost have no formal role in developing immigration and integration policies and programs. As such, they are primarily left or kept out of the current model of immigration and integration governance. Since immigration and integration are not stand-alone issues, they require partnership and collaboration involving multiple levels of government and community partners. This study explores municipal roles in immigrant settlement and integration. More specifically it explores how the City of Calgary has worked closely with community partners at the neighbourhood level in developing a hub model of community-based initiatives that engage various organizations as well as newcomers and established community members in using a holistic, multifaceted and collaborative approach for creating warmer and more welcoming communities, inclusive spaces, and innovative and progressive programs needed for facilitating the settlement and integration of newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Problems related to the recognition of skills and education acquired by immigrants abroad and their ability to translate them into similar work and income in Canada are well-known. This paper attempts to quantify, insofar as possible the mismatch between education and skills attained abroad by comparing pre-arrival and post-arrival job statuses amongst newcomers to Canada who have been in the country for five years or less. Our results reveal that there is, in fact, a significant decline in job status for newcomers, which is influenced by province of residence, place of education attainment, and length of time in Canada. Problems related to the recognition of skills and education acquired by immigrants abroad and their ability to translate them into similar work and income in Canada are well-known. This paper attempts to quantify, insofar as possible the mismatch between education and skills attained abroad by comparing pre-arrival and post-arrival job statuses amongst newcomers to Canada who have been in the country for five years or less. Our results reveal that there is, in fact, a significant decline in job status for newcomers, which is influenced by province of residence, place of education attainment, and length of time in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences. There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
