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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

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

Health literacy among members of the Nepalese immigrant population in Canada

Health literacy is an important public health concern and can be defined as ‘the degree or extent to which the individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions’. Research on health literacy among recent immigrants to Canada is not that extensive, so this research described health literacy status among Nepalese immigrants residing in Calgary, Alberta. Noteworthy levels of limited health literacy and marginal health literacy were observed among the Nepalese immigrant population. Multidirectional, culturally tailored, community-led, collaborative initiatives are needed to improve health literacy among the immigrant population, to lessen health disparities and to promote better health outcomes. Health literacy is an important public health concern and can be defined as ‘the degree or extent to which the individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions’. Research on health literacy among recent immigrants to Canada is not that extensive, so this research described health literacy status among Nepalese immigrants residing in Calgary, Alberta. Noteworthy levels of limited health literacy and marginal health literacy were observed among the Nepalese immigrant population. Multidirectional, culturally tailored, community-led, collaborative initiatives are needed to improve health literacy among the immigrant population, to lessen health disparities and to promote better health outcomes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Support Networks for Rural Newcomers to Alberta: Research Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by newcomers in rural areas of Alberta and the support networks available to them. The report is based on research conducted between fall 2022 and spring 2023 and includes insights from network discussions, conversations with background experts, and supplementary information gathered during the project. The report highlights the importance of community organizations and government programs in helping newcomers settle in rural areas and provides recommendations for improving support networks. The report also outlines the demographic information about each participant’s role, the services they provide, their funding situation, the specific industries operating in each participant community, their Rural Renewal or Rural Entrepreneur stream status, and other information to provide an at-a-glance picture of the community context for each interview. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by newcomers in rural areas of Alberta and the support networks available to them. The report is based on research conducted between fall 2022 and spring 2023 and includes insights from network discussions, conversations with background experts, and supplementary information gathered during the project. The report highlights the importance of community organizations and government programs in helping newcomers settle in rural areas and provides recommendations for improving support networks. The report also outlines the demographic information about each participant’s role, the services they provide, their funding situation, the specific industries operating in each participant community, their Rural Renewal or Rural Entrepreneur stream status, and other information to provide an at-a-glance picture of the community context for each interview.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Intersecting barriers: The production of housing vulnerability for LGBTQ refugees in Alberta, Canada

Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy. Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Supporting Women Newcomers in Canada: Key Considerations for Inclusive Programming

This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada. This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta

This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices. This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

African immigrant mothers’ views of perinatal mental health and acceptability of perinatal mental health screening: Quantitative cross-sectional survey study

The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify African immigrant mothers’ views of perinatal mental health and to identify predictors of those views, and 2) identify African immigrant mothers’ views regarding perinatal mental health screening and to determine factors associated with those views. A survey conducted across Alberta (predominantly in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge) showed African immigrant mothers’ knowledge of postnatal mental health is high, but there is less knowledge on prenatal mental health and its effect on child development. There was also high acceptability of universal perinatal mental health screening. The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify African immigrant mothers’ views of perinatal mental health and to identify predictors of those views, and 2) identify African immigrant mothers’ views regarding perinatal mental health screening and to determine factors associated with those views. A survey conducted across Alberta (predominantly in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge) showed African immigrant mothers’ knowledge of postnatal mental health is high, but there is less knowledge on prenatal mental health and its effect on child development. There was also high acceptability of universal perinatal mental health screening.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Maturity Model

The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Maturity Model provides a 5 Level pathway to achieving an anti-racist Calgary. The 5 Levels are: 1) compliance, 2) complacency, 3) awareness, 4) integration, and 5) anti-racist. Since the 2022 assessment, Calgary is currently at Level 2: complacency. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aims to reach Level 5: anti-racist. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Maturity Model provides a 5 Level pathway to achieving an anti-racist Calgary. The 5 Levels are: 1) compliance, 2) complacency, 3) awareness, 4) integration, and 5) anti-racist. Since the 2022 assessment, Calgary is currently at Level 2: complacency. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aims to reach Level 5: anti-racist.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Dismantling systemic racism, transforming lives: The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023-2027

The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly