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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Feasibility of implementing a community-based oral health educational tool for newcomers in Alberta: perspectives of frontline community leaders

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay affecting the primary teeth of preschool children. Canadian surveys have found that children from disadvantaged groups, including recent immigrants, have higher rates of caries and lower rates of dental visits than Canadian-born children and tend to seek dental care for treatment reasons.Oral diseases disproportionally affect immigrant communities. For example, besides financial costs, African new immigrant families face additional barriers, including those related to language and cultural values, which leads to a lower rate of dental care uptake for their children. Therefore, there is a clear need to enhance prevention and treatment of oral diseases among recent immigrant children, especially those from communities with a higher prevalence of dental problems. Dental education for immigrant and refugee families can be accomplished through community leaders with experience in health promotion. These individuals have the potential to reach out to newcomer parents, raise their awareness of oral health and preventive care, and facilitate their children’s access to dental services. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay affecting the primary teeth of preschool children. Canadian surveys have found that children from disadvantaged groups, including recent immigrants, have higher rates of caries and lower rates of dental visits than Canadian-born children and tend to seek dental care for treatment reasons.Oral diseases disproportionally affect immigrant communities. For example, besides financial costs, African new immigrant families face additional barriers, including those related to language and cultural values, which leads to a lower rate of dental care uptake for their children. Therefore, there is a clear need to enhance prevention and treatment of oral diseases among recent immigrant children, especially those from communities with a higher prevalence of dental problems. Dental education for immigrant and refugee families can be accomplished through community leaders with experience in health promotion. These individuals have the potential to reach out to newcomer parents, raise their awareness of oral health and preventive care, and facilitate their children’s access to dental services.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among African immigrants in Alberta, Canada

Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta. Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Vital Signs 2016: Newcomers in Edmonton

In 2016, Edmonton’s Vital Signs community report focused on the city’s immigrant and refugee population. The report discusses the value immigrants bring to the city, settlement and integration processes, statistics on newcomer health, employment and wellbeing, as well as true stories from Edmonton newcomers. In 2016, Edmonton’s Vital Signs community report focused on the city’s immigrant and refugee population. The report discusses the value immigrants bring to the city, settlement and integration processes, statistics on newcomer health, employment and wellbeing, as well as true stories from Edmonton newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Different Approaches to Cross-Lingual Focus Groups: Lessons From a Cross-Cultural Community-Based Participatory Research Project in the ENRICH Study

Focus groups are a useful strategy in qualitative health research when it is important to understand how social contexts shape participants’ health. However, when cross-lingual focus groups are conducted, and in languages in which the researcher is not fluent, it raises questions regarding the usefulness and rigor of the findings. In this article, we will discuss three different approaches to cross-lingual focus groups used in a community-based participatory research project with pregnant and postpartum, African immigrant women in Alberta, Canada. In two approaches, we moderated focus groups in women’s mother tongue with the support of real-time interpreters, but in the first approach, audio recording was used and in the second approach, audio recording was not used. In the third approach, a bilingual moderator facilitated focus groups in women’s mother tongue, with transcription and translation of audio-recorded data upon completion of data generation. We expect the lessons learned in this project may assist others in planning and implementing cross-lingual focus groups, especially in the context of community-based participatory research. Focus groups are a useful strategy in qualitative health research when it is important to understand how social contexts shape participants’ health. However, when cross-lingual focus groups are conducted, and in languages in which the researcher is not fluent, it raises questions regarding the usefulness and rigor of the findings. In this article, we will discuss three different approaches to cross-lingual focus groups used in a community-based participatory research project with pregnant and postpartum, African immigrant women in Alberta, Canada. In two approaches, we moderated focus groups in women’s mother tongue with the support of real-time interpreters, but in the first approach, audio recording was used and in the second approach, audio recording was not used. In the third approach, a bilingual moderator facilitated focus groups in women’s mother tongue, with transcription and translation of audio-recorded data upon completion of data generation. We expect the lessons learned in this project may assist others in planning and implementing cross-lingual focus groups, especially in the context of community-based participatory research.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The power of agency: Transformation of gender roles and marital relations among Nigerian immigrant women in Lethbridge, Alberta

This research explores the shifting subjectivities of eight Nigerian immigrant women as they negotiate gender roles and marital relations in Lethbridge. Using the Gendered Geographies of Power framework, this study uncovers a reflexive relationship between the social location of participants, and the type and degree of agency that they display as immigrant women, mothers, and wives, within geographies that include, the Canadian labour market, extended family networks in Nigeria, and nuclear households in Canada. Overall, findings show that by demonstrating agency, participants were able to appropriate social-cultural realities of migration and transnational living for the transformation of marital relations in ways that promoted gendered wellbeing and positioning within their marriages. This research explores the shifting subjectivities of eight Nigerian immigrant women as they negotiate gender roles and marital relations in Lethbridge. Using the Gendered Geographies of Power framework, this study uncovers a reflexive relationship between the social location of participants, and the type and degree of agency that they display as immigrant women, mothers, and wives, within geographies that include, the Canadian labour market, extended family networks in Nigeria, and nuclear households in Canada. Overall, findings show that by demonstrating agency, participants were able to appropriate social-cultural realities of migration and transnational living for the transformation of marital relations in ways that promoted gendered wellbeing and positioning within their marriages.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Capital, distinction, and racialized habitus: immigrant youth in the educational field

Chinese Canadian youth are usually represented as a model minority and are therefore rendered invisible in identity debates. This paper examines how racism affects the identity construction of Chinese youth in different school fields. Particularly, I raise and discuss a theoretical concept, racialized habitus, which is manifested as both intergroup exclusion and intragroup distinction. This study indicates the continuing significance of research on racism. It calls for challenging racism as an act of distinction, habitus, and action, as well as a discursive practice of discourse. Chinese Canadian youth are usually represented as a model minority and are therefore rendered invisible in identity debates. This paper examines how racism affects the identity construction of Chinese youth in different school fields. Particularly, I raise and discuss a theoretical concept, racialized habitus, which is manifested as both intergroup exclusion and intragroup distinction. This study indicates the continuing significance of research on racism. It calls for challenging racism as an act of distinction, habitus, and action, as well as a discursive practice of discourse.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Alberta: Exploring the Key Determinants of Public Opinion

This research explores public opinion regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program in Canada. It is situated within an important moment in the program’s history, in a province with particularly widespread reliance on it. This analysis is framed with an overview of the expansion of the TFW program over the past several decades, a description of the extensive media coverage given to several prominent examples of misuse of the program in 2013, and the resulting changes to the program. Compared to results from prior nation-wide surveys, the 2013 findings demonstrate that the majority of Albertans believe the TFW program is necessary. Furthermore, the vast majority of Albertans believe TFWs should have the same workplace rights as Canadians, and a majority believe that TFWs should be able to access permanent residency. These findings highlight points where TFW program policy was disconnected from public opinion, particularly with regard to allowing differential pay and permanent residency rights of TFWs. In addition, the 2013 survey findings illustrate some similarities with findings from the broader literature regarding the key determinants of attitudes towards immigration. This research explores public opinion regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program in Canada. It is situated within an important moment in the program’s history, in a province with particularly widespread reliance on it. This analysis is framed with an overview of the expansion of the TFW program over the past several decades, a description of the extensive media coverage given to several prominent examples of misuse of the program in 2013, and the resulting changes to the program. Compared to results from prior nation-wide surveys, the 2013 findings demonstrate that the majority of Albertans believe the TFW program is necessary. Furthermore, the vast majority of Albertans believe TFWs should have the same workplace rights as Canadians, and a majority believe that TFWs should be able to access permanent residency. These findings highlight points where TFW program policy was disconnected from public opinion, particularly with regard to allowing differential pay and permanent residency rights of TFWs. In addition, the 2013 survey findings illustrate some similarities with findings from the broader literature regarding the key determinants of attitudes towards immigration.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pre-arrival services for Filipinos in Alberta – Bridging gaps in immigrant services: A Pathways to Prosperity Project

Filipinos have been one of the largest groups of newcomers to Canada since the 1980s. Pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. Both the Canadian and Filipino governments need to increase services to fill gaps and connect pre-arrival services to post-arrival. Filipinos have been one of the largest groups of newcomers to Canada since the 1980s. Pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. Both the Canadian and Filipino governments need to increase services to fill gaps and connect pre-arrival services to post-arrival.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The dynamics of union responses to migrant workers in Canada

This study examines how five unions in the Canadian province of Alberta responded to a sudden influx of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) the mid-2000s. The authors find three types of response to the new TFW members: resistive, facilitative and active. (1) resistive response, which stems from unions’ unwillingness to advocate for TFWs as a part of the union membership and to acknolwedge thier economic vulnerabilities; (2) facilitative response, which is indicated by unions assisting emplyers to hire TFWs even if TFWs are viewed undesirable. This is a strategically advantageous response for unions because cooperation with the employer ‘maintains a steady labour supply to keep projects moving and members employed’; (3) and active response, which is marked by genuine efforts by unions to confront employers and advocate for TFWs’ vulnerability and unique legal status. Furthermore, these responses were dynamic and changing over time. The different responses are best explained not by the unions’ institutional context, but by internal factors shaping each union’s response. This study examines how five unions in the Canadian province of Alberta responded to a sudden influx of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) the mid-2000s. The authors find three types of response to the new TFW members: resistive, facilitative and active. (1) resistive response, which stems from unions’ unwillingness to advocate for TFWs as a part of the union membership and to acknolwedge thier economic vulnerabilities; (2) facilitative response, which is indicated by unions assisting emplyers to hire TFWs even if TFWs are viewed undesirable. This is a strategically advantageous response for unions because cooperation with the employer ‘maintains a steady labour supply to keep projects moving and members employed’; (3) and active response, which is marked by genuine efforts by unions to confront employers and advocate for TFWs’ vulnerability and unique legal status. Furthermore, these responses were dynamic and changing over time. The different responses are best explained not by the unions’ institutional context, but by internal factors shaping each union’s response.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Strategic Actions for Change: Working with Children and Youth of Immigrant Families

This research report offers a summary of the current context in which children and youth of immigrant families (CYIF) are living and includes a baseline inventory of services mandated to support the equitable outcomes of that population. The research also examines the critical role and relationships of people who contribute to these children’s well-being—such as parents, teachers, and community support workers. Integration is understood as a threefold process of: cultural maintenance, participation in the larger society, and public accommodation and inclusion. This means that, in accordance with multicultural policy, it is not only the newcomer who is in a process of adjustment, but the city as a whole that is learning to facilitate the civic engagement of all residents. Immigrant families and children are more likely to live in poverty than non-immigrant families; parents must adjust to new demands in their role as a parent and to parenting in a cross-cultural context; and their children must also navigate cross-cultural expectations and values. Similarly, integration into the school and other social systems can be challenging both for immigrant parents and their children, as they navigate different cultural expectations and often learning English for the first time. Similarly, educators and administrators are adjusting to more diverse classrooms with a higher proportion of English language learners and often larger class sizes. Social and civic engagement in the community can be particularly challenging for children and youth of immigrant families (CYIF), many of whom report discrimination, a lack of cultural sensitivity, and marginalization. This can limit access to services, the formation of a sense of belonging, and full participation in all aspects of social life. A lack of inclusion can significantly challenge the formation of a healthy identity and self-concept, and the transition to adulthood. This research report offers a summary of the current context in which children and youth of immigrant families (CYIF) are living and includes a baseline inventory of services mandated to support the equitable outcomes of that population. The research also examines the critical role and relationships of people who contribute to these children’s well-being—such as parents, teachers, and community support workers. Integration is understood as a threefold process of: cultural maintenance, participation in the larger society, and public accommodation and inclusion. This means that, in accordance with multicultural policy, it is not only the newcomer who is in a process of adjustment, but the city as a whole that is learning to facilitate the civic engagement of all residents. Immigrant families and children are more likely to live in poverty than non-immigrant families; parents must adjust to new demands in their role as a parent and to parenting in a cross-cultural context; and their children must also navigate cross-cultural expectations and values. Similarly, integration into the school and other social systems can be challenging both for immigrant parents and their children, as they navigate different cultural expectations and often learning English for the first time. Similarly, educators and administrators are adjusting to more diverse classrooms with a higher proportion of English language learners and often larger class sizes. Social and civic engagement in the community can be particularly challenging for children and youth of immigrant families (CYIF), many of whom report discrimination, a lack of cultural sensitivity, and marginalization. This can limit access to services, the formation of a sense of belonging, and full participation in all aspects of social life. A lack of inclusion can significantly challenge the formation of a healthy identity and self-concept, and the transition to adulthood.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly