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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E) Annual Report 2020-2021

The Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E) based in Red Deer, AB, provides a variety of services for refugees in the area. In the 2020-2021 year, 350 students from 49 countries participated in ESL classes and training. 320 students received translation support, such as during Parent Teacher Interviews for their children. C.A.R.E additionally created online resources for the pandemic that reached 686 participants. Regarding the Red Deer region, 65 clients were assisted with settlement. The Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E) based in Red Deer, AB, provides a variety of services for refugees in the area. In the 2020-2021 year, 350 students from 49 countries participated in ESL classes and training. 320 students received translation support, such as during Parent Teacher Interviews for their children. C.A.R.E additionally created online resources for the pandemic that reached 686 participants. Regarding the Red Deer region, 65 clients were assisted with settlement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

What We Heard: Educators Supporting Newcomer Families

Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families. Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

How Have Members of Edmonton’s Islamic Community Been Doing During the Pandemic? A Summary of Survey Results

The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing. The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Referral in Alberta’s Settlement and Integration Sector

Referral processes are central to ensuring that newcomer clients are connected with appropriate programming and service offerings to support their settlement, integration, and overall wellbeing. These processes involve referring clients from one agency to another based on their specific needs and circumstances. However, the effectiveness of referral processes in Alberta is influenced by a variety of factors, including agency capacity, confidentiality concerns, and the ad hoc nature of follow-up on referrals. This report discusses major barriers to the referral process between Albertan immigrant serving agencies, as well as recommendations for improvement. Referral processes are central to ensuring that newcomer clients are connected with appropriate programming and service offerings to support their settlement, integration, and overall wellbeing. These processes involve referring clients from one agency to another based on their specific needs and circumstances. However, the effectiveness of referral processes in Alberta is influenced by a variety of factors, including agency capacity, confidentiality concerns, and the ad hoc nature of follow-up on referrals. This report discusses major barriers to the referral process between Albertan immigrant serving agencies, as well as recommendations for improvement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Integration Experiences of Newcomers Across the Prairies: Untangling Perceived Dichotomy Between Immigrants and New-to-Towns

Despite the lack of a shared definition of integration, this concept word addresses the physical, psychological, and social progress of newcomers, and more. Newcomers are both immigrants and new-to-town individuals, meaning those who have relocated within Canada from other provinces or regions. By exploring literature and lived experiences, this research examines how accurately models of integration reflect and represent the views and experiences of newcomers. Our qualitative case study uses thematic coding of in-depth interviews with newcomers and settlement organizations. Results suggest that models and factors of integration do not fully or effectively reflect the process and desires of newcomers. Though new-to-town individuals possess advantages in their relocation process (e.g., not having to learn a new language or build a cultural foundation in their new location), they do not meet nor do they aspire to meet all the various factors and considerations of integration included in the models. Newcomers seek first to meet their own core needs followed by self-directed needs. In this article, an acculturation model is put forward that encompasses dynamics of individual newcomers’ peculiarities of circumstances. The conclusion is two-fold: Newcomers place priority on immediate core needs and strive to meet other needs leading to place attachment; and their sense of belonging can be brought into question with experiences of discrimination and racism. Despite the lack of a shared definition of integration, this concept word addresses the physical, psychological, and social progress of newcomers, and more. Newcomers are both immigrants and new-to-town individuals, meaning those who have relocated within Canada from other provinces or regions. By exploring literature and lived experiences, this research examines how accurately models of integration reflect and represent the views and experiences of newcomers. Our qualitative case study uses thematic coding of in-depth interviews with newcomers and settlement organizations. Results suggest that models and factors of integration do not fully or effectively reflect the process and desires of newcomers. Though new-to-town individuals possess advantages in their relocation process (e.g., not having to learn a new language or build a cultural foundation in their new location), they do not meet nor do they aspire to meet all the various factors and considerations of integration included in the models. Newcomers seek first to meet their own core needs followed by self-directed needs. In this article, an acculturation model is put forward that encompasses dynamics of individual newcomers’ peculiarities of circumstances. The conclusion is two-fold: Newcomers place priority on immediate core needs and strive to meet other needs leading to place attachment; and their sense of belonging can be brought into question with experiences of discrimination and racism.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Who’s The North? The Challenge that Immigration and Diversity Present to the Dominance of Hockey in 21st Century Canada

This paper examines how the growing diversity of Canada’s population has modified the viewership and participation in what is widely considered the country’s national sport: hockey. We contend that while hockey remains the country’s most popular sport, its domination is increasingly challenged by the attraction to soccer and basketball amongst the expanding numbers of Canadians of non-European origins. The paper also considers how the demographic shifts will influence the extent to which youth participation in hockey remains a key vector in promoting belonging to Canada. In this regard, we found that hockey is relatively unchallenged as the sport that contributes most to a stronger sense of local belonging amongst newcomers. This paper examines how the growing diversity of Canada’s population has modified the viewership and participation in what is widely considered the country’s national sport: hockey. We contend that while hockey remains the country’s most popular sport, its domination is increasingly challenged by the attraction to soccer and basketball amongst the expanding numbers of Canadians of non-European origins. The paper also considers how the demographic shifts will influence the extent to which youth participation in hockey remains a key vector in promoting belonging to Canada. In this regard, we found that hockey is relatively unchallenged as the sport that contributes most to a stronger sense of local belonging amongst newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

2021 Newcomer survey report

The Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) 2021 Newcomer Survey explores when, how and where newcomers access information as they make Calgary home and suggests areas for increased attention so that together, we can improve newcomers’ experience and settlement and integration outcomes. As Canada reopens after COVID-19 precautions lift, opportunities to review access to settlement and integration programs, to fully utilize immigrant’s vital role in both economic and societal recovery, and to remove systemic barriers for newcomers and marginalized populations present themselves. Better settlement and integration journeys in Canada require engagement by all levels of government, both the private and public sectors as well as civil society. The Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) 2021 Newcomer Survey explores when, how and where newcomers access information as they make Calgary home and suggests areas for increased attention so that together, we can improve newcomers’ experience and settlement and integration outcomes. As Canada reopens after COVID-19 precautions lift, opportunities to review access to settlement and integration programs, to fully utilize immigrant’s vital role in both economic and societal recovery, and to remove systemic barriers for newcomers and marginalized populations present themselves. Better settlement and integration journeys in Canada require engagement by all levels of government, both the private and public sectors as well as civil society.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Exploring the Shifting Power Dynamics Within Intimate Partnerships Among West African Immigrants in Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, Canada

This study’s findings contribute to a body of research that explores power dynamics within intimate partner relationships among African immigrants in Lethbridge. The purpose of this research was to 1) explore shifting power dynamics within intimate partnerships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, Canada, and 2) to address the existing literature gap related to power dynamics within intimate partnerships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, Canada. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research study design, incorporating semi-structured, in-depth interviews as the primary data collection technique was used to collect data from a purpose/snowball sample of individuals who have knowledge and experience of shifting power dynamics in intimate partnership following immigration to Canada. The findings of this research study indicated that gender intersected with other social, economic, and cultural factors to influence power dynamics within intimate partner relationships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge. This study’s findings contribute to a body of research that explores power dynamics within intimate partner relationships among African immigrants in Lethbridge. The purpose of this research was to 1) explore shifting power dynamics within intimate partnerships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, Canada, and 2) to address the existing literature gap related to power dynamics within intimate partnerships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge, Southern Alberta, Canada. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research study design, incorporating semi-structured, in-depth interviews as the primary data collection technique was used to collect data from a purpose/snowball sample of individuals who have knowledge and experience of shifting power dynamics in intimate partnership following immigration to Canada. The findings of this research study indicated that gender intersected with other social, economic, and cultural factors to influence power dynamics within intimate partner relationships among West African immigrants in Lethbridge.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Mental health needs of working immigrant women in Calgary: the intersections of influences

The increasing population of working immigrant women in Canada demands special considerations surrounding their mental health. This exploratory-descriptive qualitative research has investigated the influences on the mental well-being of 14 working immigrant women in Calgary. Participants were interviewed to describe their unique experiences at the intersections of race, gender, religion, work, and social class, and to discuss useful interventions that support their mental wellbeing. The findings demonstrated that migration to Canada had provided participants with high awareness about mental health; however, stigma, religious beliefs, financial concerns, and discriminatory behavior in healthcare services were barriers to pursue mental health care. Racism, microaggressions, intersectional discrimination, language barriers, and employment difficulties had adversely affected their mental well-being. Conversely, freedom, security, and multiculturalism were some of the advantages of living in Canada. Ultimately, working immigrant women’s needs were discussed as individual/micro-, meso-, and macro-level interventions based on ecological model. The increasing population of working immigrant women in Canada demands special considerations surrounding their mental health. This exploratory-descriptive qualitative research has investigated the influences on the mental well-being of 14 working immigrant women in Calgary. Participants were interviewed to describe their unique experiences at the intersections of race, gender, religion, work, and social class, and to discuss useful interventions that support their mental wellbeing. The findings demonstrated that migration to Canada had provided participants with high awareness about mental health; however, stigma, religious beliefs, financial concerns, and discriminatory behavior in healthcare services were barriers to pursue mental health care. Racism, microaggressions, intersectional discrimination, language barriers, and employment difficulties had adversely affected their mental well-being. Conversely, freedom, security, and multiculturalism were some of the advantages of living in Canada. Ultimately, working immigrant women’s needs were discussed as individual/micro-, meso-, and macro-level interventions based on ecological model.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Understanding newcomers’ experiences of inclusion

The research project Understanding Newcomers’ Experiences of Inclusion (UNEOI) examines newcomers’ experiences of settlement, integration, inclusion or exclusion and how these impact newcomer well-being. The research project Understanding Newcomers’ Experiences of Inclusion (UNEOI) examines newcomers’ experiences of settlement, integration, inclusion or exclusion and how these impact newcomer well-being.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly