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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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 article discusses how the migrants with no or irregular migration status engaged in various strategies to survive while they were going through uncertain legal status in Alberta, Canada. This article shows that often the compromised legal status happens because of immigration policy developments and other factors outside of temporary foreign workers’ control. Nevertheless, although participants of this study recount experiencing high amounts of stress because of their situations, the role played by cognitive processes, which include imagining, strategizing, and what I call “inter-provincial legal consciousness”, allowed them to deal with this experience and reclaim agency over their lives. These processes allowed them to build communities and networks of support and to imagine potential life paths in other provinces through other provinces’ provincial nominee programmes. This article discusses how the migrants with no or irregular migration status engaged in various strategies to survive while they were going through uncertain legal status in Alberta, Canada. This article shows that often the compromised legal status happens because of immigration policy developments and other factors outside of temporary foreign workers’ control. Nevertheless, although participants of this study recount experiencing high amounts of stress because of their situations, the role played by cognitive processes, which include imagining, strategizing, and what I call “inter-provincial legal consciousness”, allowed them to deal with this experience and reclaim agency over their lives. These processes allowed them to build communities and networks of support and to imagine potential life paths in other provinces through other provinces’ provincial nominee programmes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Child discipline remains a topic of public health interest across the globe. Despite this enduring interest, very little is known about the child disciplinary practices of African immigrants in Canada. This paper explores the disciplinary practices of African immigrant parents in Alberta, a Canadian province with a recent surge in the population of African immigrants. As members of the African immigrant community, we were deeply immersed in the research settings, which afforded us the opportunity to collect observational data in the form of reflexive notes. We found that African immigrant parents used corporal discipline (i.e. spanking and pinching, and more severe practices as kicking and slapping), persuasive discipline (i.e. timeouts and withdrawal of privileges, positive reinforcement techniques, such as the use of rewards), and a hybrid of the two. They also used emerging practices involving transnational fostering (fostering chronically misbehaving children to relatives and friends in Africa) and emotional isolation of children who persistently misbehaved. These practices, in their totality, appeared to be influenced by parents’ cultural backgrounds, as well as their interactions with Canadian educational system. We present theoretical, policy, and service implications of our findings, including a recommendation to incorporate sociocultural dimensions of child discipline into Canadian child welfare policies and practices. Child discipline remains a topic of public health interest across the globe. Despite this enduring interest, very little is known about the child disciplinary practices of African immigrants in Canada. This paper explores the disciplinary practices of African immigrant parents in Alberta, a Canadian province with a recent surge in the population of African immigrants. As members of the African immigrant community, we were deeply immersed in the research settings, which afforded us the opportunity to collect observational data in the form of reflexive notes. We found that African immigrant parents used corporal discipline (i.e. spanking and pinching, and more severe practices as kicking and slapping), persuasive discipline (i.e. timeouts and withdrawal of privileges, positive reinforcement techniques, such as the use of rewards), and a hybrid of the two. They also used emerging practices involving transnational fostering (fostering chronically misbehaving children to relatives and friends in Africa) and emotional isolation of children who persistently misbehaved. These practices, in their totality, appeared to be influenced by parents’ cultural backgrounds, as well as their interactions with Canadian educational system. We present theoretical, policy, and service implications of our findings, including a recommendation to incorporate sociocultural dimensions of child discipline into Canadian child welfare policies and practices.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This paper focuses on experiences of settlement and seeking employment of immigrant women in Central Alberta. The study shows that immigrant women tend to rely on their family, ethnic, and religious networks to “survive” in the first stages of settlement, as well as when seeking employment. However, the support that they can receive from their social networks is limited because: (1) their family and friends themselves often lack economic resources; (2) their non-Canadian skills and credential are not always recognized by employers; (3) they have low income and have difficulty accessing training and educational programs that may be recognized by Canadian employers; (4) they are burdened by childcare; (5) some experience language barrier that affect their confidence and mental health. This paper focuses on experiences of settlement and seeking employment of immigrant women in Central Alberta. The study shows that immigrant women tend to rely on their family, ethnic, and religious networks to “survive” in the first stages of settlement, as well as when seeking employment. However, the support that they can receive from their social networks is limited because: (1) their family and friends themselves often lack economic resources; (2) their non-Canadian skills and credential are not always recognized by employers; (3) they have low income and have difficulty accessing training and educational programs that may be recognized by Canadian employers; (4) they are burdened by childcare; (5) some experience language barrier that affect their confidence and mental health.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The issue of refugee housing affordability in Calgary is one which needs attention. In the coming years, Canada is expected to increase its refugee resettlement targets to approximately 15% of its total immigration quota. Data provided by CCIS shows a concentration of refugees living in the far north part of Calgary, some small portions in the Southwest, and a large concentration in the Forest Lawn/Northeast part of Calgary. This study assumes that the largest motivating factor for resettlement in these areas is housing affordability, constrained largely by refugee settlement funding. A survey of refugee budgets, when compared to available mean and lower quartile rental data, mostly corroborates this assumption. Single refugees are likely to face housing affordability issues far more than their counterparts with children, primarily due to the lack of child benefits. Refugee claimants, those seeking asylum in Canada, were at the greatest risk for homelessness in Calgary. It is recommended that the federal government consider granting refugee claimants benefits, and that the primary mechanism for increasing refugee housing affordability should be increasing cash transfers, including the possibility of a national housing benefit, to all Canadians. The issue of refugee housing affordability in Calgary is one which needs attention. In the coming years, Canada is expected to increase its refugee resettlement targets to approximately 15% of its total immigration quota. Data provided by CCIS shows a concentration of refugees living in the far north part of Calgary, some small portions in the Southwest, and a large concentration in the Forest Lawn/Northeast part of Calgary. This study assumes that the largest motivating factor for resettlement in these areas is housing affordability, constrained largely by refugee settlement funding. A survey of refugee budgets, when compared to available mean and lower quartile rental data, mostly corroborates this assumption. Single refugees are likely to face housing affordability issues far more than their counterparts with children, primarily due to the lack of child benefits. Refugee claimants, those seeking asylum in Canada, were at the greatest risk for homelessness in Calgary. It is recommended that the federal government consider granting refugee claimants benefits, and that the primary mechanism for increasing refugee housing affordability should be increasing cash transfers, including the possibility of a national housing benefit, to all Canadians.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The Syrian conflict and war has contributed to the largest refugee crisis in recent history. Many refugees are seeking protection and safety for their family. This article discusses the context of the Syrian refugee crisis and how a group of social work faculty members are responding by supporting the resettlement of a Syrian refugee family in Canada. Private sponsorship options, grassroots activities, and the role of social work in resettlement are discussed. The paper explores the experiences of one refugee sponsor group composed of social work faculty, argues that social worker have an important role to play in refugee resettlement (through private sponsorship and other social work-related activities). This article concludes with a call to action for social workers to strengthen their support and involvement in the resettlement of refugees. The Syrian conflict and war has contributed to the largest refugee crisis in recent history. Many refugees are seeking protection and safety for their family. This article discusses the context of the Syrian refugee crisis and how a group of social work faculty members are responding by supporting the resettlement of a Syrian refugee family in Canada. Private sponsorship options, grassroots activities, and the role of social work in resettlement are discussed. The paper explores the experiences of one refugee sponsor group composed of social work faculty, argues that social worker have an important role to play in refugee resettlement (through private sponsorship and other social work-related activities). This article concludes with a call to action for social workers to strengthen their support and involvement in the resettlement of refugees.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Since the beginning of conflict in Syria, 52, 720 Syrian refugees were admitted to Canada between November 2015 and March 2018. Schools are one of the first and most impactful systems that young refugees enter and the quality of early school experiences significantly influences how successfully and quickly they settle. Yet, there is limited research examining the school experiences of refugee children. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the social, emotional, and academic adjustment experiences of newcomer Syrian refugee children between the ages of five to eight years within Edmonton schools. Following themes emerged during this study: (1) Role of Language in Adjustment, (2) Attitudes and Perspectives Towards Education, (3) Bonds and Relationships, (4) Initial Frustrations, Anxieties, and Fears, (5) Children’s Unique Strategies for Adapting in School, (6) Parental Involvement in the Schooling Process, and (7) Role of Personal Qualities in Adjustment. Since the beginning of conflict in Syria, 52, 720 Syrian refugees were admitted to Canada between November 2015 and March 2018. Schools are one of the first and most impactful systems that young refugees enter and the quality of early school experiences significantly influences how successfully and quickly they settle. Yet, there is limited research examining the school experiences of refugee children. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the social, emotional, and academic adjustment experiences of newcomer Syrian refugee children between the ages of five to eight years within Edmonton schools. Following themes emerged during this study: (1) Role of Language in Adjustment, (2) Attitudes and Perspectives Towards Education, (3) Bonds and Relationships, (4) Initial Frustrations, Anxieties, and Fears, (5) Children’s Unique Strategies for Adapting in School, (6) Parental Involvement in the Schooling Process, and (7) Role of Personal Qualities in Adjustment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
International power engineering students’ experiences and perceptions were studied to get a better understanding of the individual and
collective strategies adopted to navigate the post-migration transition to the Canadian labour
market. Along with document analysis, this thesis analyzed interviews and a focus group with 14 international power engineering students at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB with the intention
of gathering input from their experiences and perceptions of (re-)credentialing for successful labour market entry. Findings detailed barriers and challenges students faced when re-credentialing to enter the labour market, as well as the students’ recommendations for improvement. International power engineering students’ experiences and perceptions were studied to get a better understanding of the individual and
collective strategies adopted to navigate the post-migration transition to the Canadian labour
market. Along with document analysis, this thesis analyzed interviews and a focus group with 14 international power engineering students at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB with the intention
of gathering input from their experiences and perceptions of (re-)credentialing for successful labour market entry. Findings detailed barriers and challenges students faced when re-credentialing to enter the labour market, as well as the students’ recommendations for improvement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This article brings perspectives of temporary foreign workers into academic and policy discussions. I focus on their experiences of different stages of immigration process. I interviewed Filipino workers because of my close relationship with the community and because Filipino nationals dominate the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Ultimately, this article discusses the reasons why Filipino workers aspire to stay in Canada and discusses how they perceive their social and economic status as TFWP participants. Based on the data collected through interviews, I argue that temporary workers’ desire to stay in Canada is grounded in their unwillingness to return to the economic uncertainty facing them in the Philippines. Another reason is them viewing life abroad as indicative of success. Finally, over the course of their TFWP, Filipino workers establish the sense of belonging in Canadian society. All these factors justify temporary workers’ claims to formal citizenship. Overall, this study argues that Canadian immigration policy should be adjusted to accommodate the needs and expectations of temporary foreign workers to stay in Canada. This article brings perspectives of temporary foreign workers into academic and policy discussions. I focus on their experiences of different stages of immigration process. I interviewed Filipino workers because of my close relationship with the community and because Filipino nationals dominate the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Ultimately, this article discusses the reasons why Filipino workers aspire to stay in Canada and discusses how they perceive their social and economic status as TFWP participants. Based on the data collected through interviews, I argue that temporary workers’ desire to stay in Canada is grounded in their unwillingness to return to the economic uncertainty facing them in the Philippines. Another reason is them viewing life abroad as indicative of success. Finally, over the course of their TFWP, Filipino workers establish the sense of belonging in Canadian society. All these factors justify temporary workers’ claims to formal citizenship. Overall, this study argues that Canadian immigration policy should be adjusted to accommodate the needs and expectations of temporary foreign workers to stay in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The purpose of this survey was to better understand why Calgarians who were born outside of Canada do or do not access Canadian settlement services during their migration process. Many people advocated for more relevant, accurate information to be provided pre-arrival. They really wanted to know more about living in Canada and the realities of daily life in Calgary. This related to different social and economic systems in Canada—banking, housing, childcare, children’s education, health care, transit, and how to dress for Calgary’s weather—as well as social norms about environmental protection and recycling. Respondents also recommended various way to advertise settlement services and to help newcomers to effectively navigate the local service system upon arrival in Calgary. Helping newcomers find the programs that exist to help them is critical. More widespread, however, is the disconnection between the attraction of skilled workers and professionals to Canada and the realities of the job market in Calgary. Respondents lamented that they arrived with hope and optimism, only to find they had little chance of working in their chosen field upon arrival. Moreover, they found few if any appropriate supports to help them transition quickly or easily into the work they were trained to do. What this survey has shown is that better advertising of existing programs and services is essential. In addition, different kinds of services and supports are needed for professional and non-skilled migrants. The purpose of this survey was to better understand why Calgarians who were born outside of Canada do or do not access Canadian settlement services during their migration process. Many people advocated for more relevant, accurate information to be provided pre-arrival. They really wanted to know more about living in Canada and the realities of daily life in Calgary. This related to different social and economic systems in Canada—banking, housing, childcare, children’s education, health care, transit, and how to dress for Calgary’s weather—as well as social norms about environmental protection and recycling. Respondents also recommended various way to advertise settlement services and to help newcomers to effectively navigate the local service system upon arrival in Calgary. Helping newcomers find the programs that exist to help them is critical. More widespread, however, is the disconnection between the attraction of skilled workers and professionals to Canada and the realities of the job market in Calgary. Respondents lamented that they arrived with hope and optimism, only to find they had little chance of working in their chosen field upon arrival. Moreover, they found few if any appropriate supports to help them transition quickly or easily into the work they were trained to do. What this survey has shown is that better advertising of existing programs and services is essential. In addition, different kinds of services and supports are needed for professional and non-skilled migrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The study explores the challenges faced by refugees and how social justice-oriented counselling can help them overcome these challenges. The research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 refugees who had experienced homelessness. The findings reveal that refugees face multiple challenges, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources. Social justice-oriented counselling was found to be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life. The study offers insights into how counselling can be tailored to meet the unique needs of refugees and promote social justice. The study explores the challenges faced by refugees and how social justice-oriented counselling can help them overcome these challenges. The research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 refugees who had experienced homelessness. The findings reveal that refugees face multiple challenges, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources. Social justice-oriented counselling was found to be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life. The study offers insights into how counselling can be tailored to meet the unique needs of refugees and promote social justice.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
