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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Comparing CenteringPregnancy® to standard prenatal care plus prenatal education

There is significant evidence to support the importance of prenatal care in preventing adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low infant birth weight. In previous studies, the group prenatal care model CenteringPregnancy® had been shown to reduce adverse birth outcomes, but to date, no comparison had been made with a model that included prenatal education. These results suggest that CenteringPregnancy® can recruit and retain a vulnerable group of women with a constellation of risk factors for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes, including poverty, language barriers and poor mental health. Post program, the rates of stress, anxiety and depression were similar to other women with more social and financial advantage. These findings suggest that CenteringPregnancy® may be a community based care strategy that contributes to improved mental health, knowledge, and behaviours to optimize outcomes for mothers and children. There is significant evidence to support the importance of prenatal care in preventing adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low infant birth weight. In previous studies, the group prenatal care model CenteringPregnancy® had been shown to reduce adverse birth outcomes, but to date, no comparison had been made with a model that included prenatal education. These results suggest that CenteringPregnancy® can recruit and retain a vulnerable group of women with a constellation of risk factors for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes, including poverty, language barriers and poor mental health. Post program, the rates of stress, anxiety and depression were similar to other women with more social and financial advantage. These findings suggest that CenteringPregnancy® may be a community based care strategy that contributes to improved mental health, knowledge, and behaviours to optimize outcomes for mothers and children.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Economic Integration of Recent Chinese Immigrants in Canada’s Second-Tier Cities: The Triple Glass Effect and Immigrants’ Downward Social Mobility

In examining the economic integration of Chinese immigrants in Calgary and Edmonton, this study reveals that recent immigrants have encountered multi-faceted barriers, particularly in employment and language. Furthermore, they have experienced deskilling and devaluation of their prior learning and work experience after immigrating to Canada. As a consequence, many have suffered unemployment and underemployment, poor economic performance, and downward social mobility, which have adversely hindered their integration process. Immigrants’ negative experience can be attributed to a triple glass effect consisting of a glass gate, glass door, and glass ceiling. While a glass gate denies immigrants’ entrance to guarded professional communities, a glass door blocks immigrants’ access to professional employment at high-wage firms. It is the glass ceiling which prevents immigrants from moving up to management positions because of their ethnic and cultural differences. This study calls for the adoption of an inclusive framework that works toward recognitive justice in balancing freedom of mobility with recognition and full membership in Canada. In examining the economic integration of Chinese immigrants in Calgary and Edmonton, this study reveals that recent immigrants have encountered multi-faceted barriers, particularly in employment and language. Furthermore, they have experienced deskilling and devaluation of their prior learning and work experience after immigrating to Canada. As a consequence, many have suffered unemployment and underemployment, poor economic performance, and downward social mobility, which have adversely hindered their integration process. Immigrants’ negative experience can be attributed to a triple glass effect consisting of a glass gate, glass door, and glass ceiling. While a glass gate denies immigrants’ entrance to guarded professional communities, a glass door blocks immigrants’ access to professional employment at high-wage firms. It is the glass ceiling which prevents immigrants from moving up to management positions because of their ethnic and cultural differences. This study calls for the adoption of an inclusive framework that works toward recognitive justice in balancing freedom of mobility with recognition and full membership in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Alberta settlement outcomes survey

This report describes the results of a telephone survey conducted in 2012 of recent immigrants to Alberta concerning their experiences with settlement services in the province, their information needs, and their economic and social integration outcomes. This report describes the results of a telephone survey conducted in 2012 of recent immigrants to Alberta concerning their experiences with settlement services in the province, their information needs, and their economic and social integration outcomes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The epidemiology of alcohol utilization during pregnancy: an analysis of the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (MES)

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy may potentially constitute a major public health concern in Canada. The present study assessed the prevalence and predictors of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy of women living in Canada from 2005-2006 who had a singleton live birth and whose child remained in their care 5-9 months following birth. The analysis shows that 10.8% of women drank alcohol at some point during their pregnancies. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy was significantly associated with several important factors including marital status, smoking status, reaction to the pregnancy and immigrant status. While being an immigrant to Canada appeared to confer a protective effect (immigrants were less likely to consume alcohol during pregnancy than Canadian women), women who have partners and smoked during pregnancy were significantly more likely to drink alcohol during their pregnancies. Perhaps most importantly, pregnant women who reported indifference or being unhappy/very unhappy in regards to their pregnancies exhibited an increased risk of drinking alcohol during their pregnancies. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy may potentially constitute a major public health concern in Canada. The present study assessed the prevalence and predictors of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy of women living in Canada from 2005-2006 who had a singleton live birth and whose child remained in their care 5-9 months following birth. The analysis shows that 10.8% of women drank alcohol at some point during their pregnancies. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy was significantly associated with several important factors including marital status, smoking status, reaction to the pregnancy and immigrant status. While being an immigrant to Canada appeared to confer a protective effect (immigrants were less likely to consume alcohol during pregnancy than Canadian women), women who have partners and smoked during pregnancy were significantly more likely to drink alcohol during their pregnancies. Perhaps most importantly, pregnant women who reported indifference or being unhappy/very unhappy in regards to their pregnancies exhibited an increased risk of drinking alcohol during their pregnancies.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Two Multicultural Debates and the Lived Experiences of Chinese-Canadian Youth

This paper examines the lived experiences of Chinese-Canadian youth in Alberta in relation to two multiculturalism debates: multiculturalism as a politics of recognition and multiculturalism as a cohesive force. It focuses on three themes of their lived experiences, which include racial discrimination and stereotypes in school; biased media representation; and the relationship between ethnic language maintenance, sense of belonging and multiculturalism policy within a bilingual framework. Two findings are highlighted in this paper. First, the racism youth experienced at school and the racist discourse against Chinese-Canadian students found in Canadian media indicate that Chinese Canadians as racialized and ethnic minorities have not been recognized and treated as equal partners in social interactions with the White dominant group. The multicultural policy focus and task of addressing racism in the 1980s has yet to be finished despite current multicultural policy having a new focus. Second, multiculturalism within a bilingual framework is more an assimilating force than a divisive one. Given the separation of language rights and cultural rights as well as the strong linguistic and cultural assimilation forces in major Canadian institutions, it is less likely for Chinese-Canadian youth to maintain their ethnic language and culture. The main factor that affects their sense of belonging to Canada is the racism in Canadian society rather than the symbolic recognition of diversity that multiculturalism encourages. This paper examines the lived experiences of Chinese-Canadian youth in Alberta in relation to two multiculturalism debates: multiculturalism as a politics of recognition and multiculturalism as a cohesive force. It focuses on three themes of their lived experiences, which include racial discrimination and stereotypes in school; biased media representation; and the relationship between ethnic language maintenance, sense of belonging and multiculturalism policy within a bilingual framework. Two findings are highlighted in this paper. First, the racism youth experienced at school and the racist discourse against Chinese-Canadian students found in Canadian media indicate that Chinese Canadians as racialized and ethnic minorities have not been recognized and treated as equal partners in social interactions with the White dominant group. The multicultural policy focus and task of addressing racism in the 1980s has yet to be finished despite current multicultural policy having a new focus. Second, multiculturalism within a bilingual framework is more an assimilating force than a divisive one. Given the separation of language rights and cultural rights as well as the strong linguistic and cultural assimilation forces in major Canadian institutions, it is less likely for Chinese-Canadian youth to maintain their ethnic language and culture. The main factor that affects their sense of belonging to Canada is the racism in Canadian society rather than the symbolic recognition of diversity that multiculturalism encourages.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

La conciliation travail-études : défis et réalité pour les jeunes élèves africains noirs de Brooks

To meet their essential needs or those of their families, young black African immigrants from 15 to 24 years of age living in Brooks, Alberta, Canada, are trying to reconcile full-time night work with full-time school attendance. In most cases employers comply with the regulations on employment of children in Alberta, but no one can state with certainty that the age limit for this kind of employment is always observed. This pilot research examines the social impact of such work and study arrangements on young Francophone immigrants. To meet their essential needs or those of their families, young black African immigrants from 15 to 24 years of age living in Brooks, Alberta, Canada, are trying to reconcile full-time night work with full-time school attendance. In most cases employers comply with the regulations on employment of children in Alberta, but no one can state with certainty that the age limit for this kind of employment is always observed. This pilot research examines the social impact of such work and study arrangements on young Francophone immigrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Ethnic and National Identity of South Asian Immigrant Seniors Living in Edmonton, Canada

The Canadian population is aging and also becoming more ethnically diverse. This study examined differences in identities among South Asian seniors who immigrated at different life stages with different lengths of residency in Canada. We interviewed 161 immigrants of South Asian descent in Edmonton, Canada, aged 60 and older about their ethnic/national identity, transnational ties, cultural retention and practices, and participation in and concerns about life in Canada. Our findings show that women were more likely than men to see themselves as more South Asian than Canadian. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that older age at immigration and low English-language proficiency were significant predictors of ethnic identity. These findings indicated the importance of language for ethnic and national (Canadian) identity and revealed that South Asian immigrant elders who came to Canada in later life tended to retain their ethnic identities, while immigrant elders who came to Canada earlier in life were more likely to have developed a bicultural identity that incorporated both ethnic and Canadian identity. Related to the notion of bicultural identity, strong transnational ties with the country of origin were associated with greater participation in Canadian society. The Canadian population is aging and also becoming more ethnically diverse. This study examined differences in identities among South Asian seniors who immigrated at different life stages with different lengths of residency in Canada. We interviewed 161 immigrants of South Asian descent in Edmonton, Canada, aged 60 and older about their ethnic/national identity, transnational ties, cultural retention and practices, and participation in and concerns about life in Canada. Our findings show that women were more likely than men to see themselves as more South Asian than Canadian. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that older age at immigration and low English-language proficiency were significant predictors of ethnic identity. These findings indicated the importance of language for ethnic and national (Canadian) identity and revealed that South Asian immigrant elders who came to Canada in later life tended to retain their ethnic identities, while immigrant elders who came to Canada earlier in life were more likely to have developed a bicultural identity that incorporated both ethnic and Canadian identity. Related to the notion of bicultural identity, strong transnational ties with the country of origin were associated with greater participation in Canadian society.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pratiques identitaires et racialisation des immigrants africains francophones en Alberta

This article discusses the identity practices of the first generation of African Francophone immigrants in Alberta. It demonstrates that they develop multiple forms of belonging to many social groups, whose principal manifestation includes a collective belonging to the ethnic community of the country of origin, to the francophone community, and to Canadian society in general. The racialisation which is manifested in three forms of discrimination—i. e., linguistic discrimination towards the Francophones of Canada, racial discrimination in Canadian society in general, and racial discrimination within the Francophone community—has a major impact on the identity practices of the immigrants. The article underlines that these multiple identities materialize in order to acquire social capital which could support the social and economic integration of the immigrants. It will allow us to understand the many aspects of their migratory trajectory and to consider the politics of linguistic and racial equity, as well as possible solutions that could reinforce the feeling of belonging and the socio-economic integration of the immigrants into the Francophone and the wider Canadian society. This article discusses the identity practices of the first generation of African Francophone immigrants in Alberta. It demonstrates that they develop multiple forms of belonging to many social groups, whose principal manifestation includes a collective belonging to the ethnic community of the country of origin, to the francophone community, and to Canadian society in general. The racialisation which is manifested in three forms of discrimination—i. e., linguistic discrimination towards the Francophones of Canada, racial discrimination in Canadian society in general, and racial discrimination within the Francophone community—has a major impact on the identity practices of the immigrants. The article underlines that these multiple identities materialize in order to acquire social capital which could support the social and economic integration of the immigrants. It will allow us to understand the many aspects of their migratory trajectory and to consider the politics of linguistic and racial equity, as well as possible solutions that could reinforce the feeling of belonging and the socio-economic integration of the immigrants into the Francophone and the wider Canadian society.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

A Conceptual Model of the Retrospective Accounts of Chinese Adults Who Immigrated to Canada as Children

This phenomenological study explores the retrospective accounts of 11 Chinese immigrant adults (9 F, 2 M) who immigrated to Canada when they were children. Six categories and 31 themes were extracted during the analysis of the transcripts. The categories include: (a) Adjusting to a Different Culture; (b) Family; (c) Language; (d) Environment; (e) Friendships; and (f) Self and Identity. Counsellors need to be aware of the challenges faced by immigrant children in their new life in Canada, both inside as well as outside the school system. They need to learn about the cultural background of such children to understand the differences and potential conflicts and issues that these children may face in the process of adjustment. This phenomenological study explores the retrospective accounts of 11 Chinese immigrant adults (9 F, 2 M) who immigrated to Canada when they were children. Six categories and 31 themes were extracted during the analysis of the transcripts. The categories include: (a) Adjusting to a Different Culture; (b) Family; (c) Language; (d) Environment; (e) Friendships; and (f) Self and Identity. Counsellors need to be aware of the challenges faced by immigrant children in their new life in Canada, both inside as well as outside the school system. They need to learn about the cultural background of such children to understand the differences and potential conflicts and issues that these children may face in the process of adjustment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Hidden in plain sight: The housing challenges of newcomers in Calgary

This report provides insights and solutions for the housing challenges faced by newcomers in Calgary. It was compiled by a team of experts from various organizations and communities, and it aims to shed light on the difficulties that newcomers face when it comes to finding affordable housing in the city. The report discusses the various challenges that newcomers face, such as language barriers, discrimination, and lack of knowledge about the housing market. It also highlights the initiatives and programs in place to address these challenges and provides recommendations for individuals and organizations to get involved in advocating for better housing options for newcomers in Calgary. Overall, this report is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and addressing the housing challenges of newcomers in Calgary. This report provides insights and solutions for the housing challenges faced by newcomers in Calgary. It was compiled by a team of experts from various organizations and communities, and it aims to shed light on the difficulties that newcomers face when it comes to finding affordable housing in the city. The report discusses the various challenges that newcomers face, such as language barriers, discrimination, and lack of knowledge about the housing market. It also highlights the initiatives and programs in place to address these challenges and provides recommendations for individuals and organizations to get involved in advocating for better housing options for newcomers in Calgary. Overall, this report is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and addressing the housing challenges of newcomers in Calgary.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly