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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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 Canadian study examined criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families. Our analysis showed that gang-involved youth had experienced multiple, severe and prolonged personal and interpersonal challenges in all facets of their lives and that gradual disintegration of their relationships with family, school and community had resulted in the unravelling of self-concept, ethnic identity, sense of belonging and sense of citizenship and progressively propelled them towards membership in high-risk social cliques and criminal gangs. Our findings brought attention to the need for coordinated, comprehensive support for youth from immigrant families through family-based, school-based and community-based programs. This Canadian study examined criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families. Our analysis showed that gang-involved youth had experienced multiple, severe and prolonged personal and interpersonal challenges in all facets of their lives and that gradual disintegration of their relationships with family, school and community had resulted in the unravelling of self-concept, ethnic identity, sense of belonging and sense of citizenship and progressively propelled them towards membership in high-risk social cliques and criminal gangs. Our findings brought attention to the need for coordinated, comprehensive support for youth from immigrant families through family-based, school-based and community-based programs.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Migration is an experience of the self, a personal journey for those who leave their places of origin. The movement from one place to another carries with it material and subjective meanings. Mobility also implies change, transformation or seeming difference in its social interactions with another culture or a different social system. These changes undeniably affect one’s notion of identity and belonging. This chapter uses a feminist approach in examining selected personal case studies of Filipina immigrants in Lethbridge, a small city in southern Alberta. This chapter demonstrates how gender roles, labour migration and identity construction are interconnected. A concluding section deals with the prospect of whether these Filipina immigrants will stay or leave the city, emphasizing the best the city has to offer or not. Migration is an experience of the self, a personal journey for those who leave their places of origin. The movement from one place to another carries with it material and subjective meanings. Mobility also implies change, transformation or seeming difference in its social interactions with another culture or a different social system. These changes undeniably affect one’s notion of identity and belonging. This chapter uses a feminist approach in examining selected personal case studies of Filipina immigrants in Lethbridge, a small city in southern Alberta. This chapter demonstrates how gender roles, labour migration and identity construction are interconnected. A concluding section deals with the prospect of whether these Filipina immigrants will stay or leave the city, emphasizing the best the city has to offer or not.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The City of Calgary is working with community partners to create a more welcome and inclusive community for immigrants and newcomers who choose Calgary. The City of Calgary is working with community partners to create a more welcome and inclusive community for immigrants and newcomers who choose Calgary.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Canadian research still tends to group
people of African descent as Black without considering the difference in their countries of
origins, socio-economic background, values and cultural context. This study examines the experiences of eight second generation youth of
Western African descent in two major cities in Alberta as they navigate the identity formation
process. Factors that influence their adoption of an identity, and the characteristics and
importance of their adopted identity were also investigated. Narratives were gathered through interviews with the youth in Edmonton and Calgary. Experiences that contributed towards their adoption of their identity include parental influence, interaction with members of the Canadian society, and socializing with members of their parent’s cultural community. However, their adopted identities were not static, but fluid in nature leading to a hybridity in their identification. The study also includes implications of the results from the research study for immigrant parents, educators, policy makers, service providers, as well as recommendations for the future research. Canadian research still tends to group
people of African descent as Black without considering the difference in their countries of
origins, socio-economic background, values and cultural context. This study examines the experiences of eight second generation youth of
Western African descent in two major cities in Alberta as they navigate the identity formation
process. Factors that influence their adoption of an identity, and the characteristics and
importance of their adopted identity were also investigated. Narratives were gathered through interviews with the youth in Edmonton and Calgary. Experiences that contributed towards their adoption of their identity include parental influence, interaction with members of the Canadian society, and socializing with members of their parent’s cultural community. However, their adopted identities were not static, but fluid in nature leading to a hybridity in their identification. The study also includes implications of the results from the research study for immigrant parents, educators, policy makers, service providers, as well as recommendations for the future research.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Red Deer created the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network in late 2015. This needs assessment gathered newcomer demographics in Red Deer, available resources in the area, and how well the needs of the community are being met. Red Deer created the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network in late 2015. This needs assessment gathered newcomer demographics in Red Deer, available resources in the area, and how well the needs of the community are being met.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Acculturation has been associated with decreased physical activity among immigrants. This study assessed the process of changing physical activity patterns within the context of Latin American immigrant women’s migration experiences to Canada. Overall, 86 % of the participants of this study reported gaining weight since coming to Canada. Participants reported becoming more sedentary upon arriving in Canada. Only 27.3 % of recent and 41.7 % of non-recent immigrant women were considered sufficiently physically active. Lack of time, resources, social support, and migration stress were identified as key barriers to physical activity. Migration stress associated with social integration barriers strongly influence physical activity among Latin American immigrant women. Acculturation has been associated with decreased physical activity among immigrants. This study assessed the process of changing physical activity patterns within the context of Latin American immigrant women’s migration experiences to Canada. Overall, 86 % of the participants of this study reported gaining weight since coming to Canada. Participants reported becoming more sedentary upon arriving in Canada. Only 27.3 % of recent and 41.7 % of non-recent immigrant women were considered sufficiently physically active. Lack of time, resources, social support, and migration stress were identified as key barriers to physical activity. Migration stress associated with social integration barriers strongly influence physical activity among Latin American immigrant women.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
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
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
