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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and gender and sexual diverse (LGBTQ+) newcomers arrive in Canada, a country renowned as a “safe haven” for those escaping anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Despite Canada’s reputation, notions of safety are not guaranteed as LGBTQ+ newcomers continue to face systems of oppression as they navigate their new country of residence. Drawing from the feminist affect literature, this study sought to understand how LGBTQ+ newcomers navigate and perceive safety. This study employed an arts-based method called participatory community mapping as well as semistructured interviews to explore six participants’ experiences in Calgary, Canada. The findings of this study suggest the complex and vast experiences of LGBTQ+ newcomers upon settlement. Feeling safe is not static and inherent in various spaces, but rather, requires complex negotiations with other people and considerations for one’s LGBTQ+ identity. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and gender and sexual diverse (LGBTQ+) newcomers arrive in Canada, a country renowned as a “safe haven” for those escaping anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Despite Canada’s reputation, notions of safety are not guaranteed as LGBTQ+ newcomers continue to face systems of oppression as they navigate their new country of residence. Drawing from the feminist affect literature, this study sought to understand how LGBTQ+ newcomers navigate and perceive safety. This study employed an arts-based method called participatory community mapping as well as semistructured interviews to explore six participants’ experiences in Calgary, Canada. The findings of this study suggest the complex and vast experiences of LGBTQ+ newcomers upon settlement. Feeling safe is not static and inherent in various spaces, but rather, requires complex negotiations with other people and considerations for one’s LGBTQ+ identity.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is a global public health and social justice issue, where HIV continues to disproportionately affect marginalized populations. This study investigated and captured the experiences of immigrants and refugees living with HIV (IRLHIV) using the social determinants of health framework. This study examined the intersecting factors affecting the health and well-being of IRLHIV
in Alberta, Canada, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent mixed methods were used. Employing an online survey (n = 124) and photovoice methodology (n = 13), the findings underscored the amplification of pre-existing inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying the discrimination and stigma faced by IRLHIV due to both their health status and immigration background. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is a global public health and social justice issue, where HIV continues to disproportionately affect marginalized populations. This study investigated and captured the experiences of immigrants and refugees living with HIV (IRLHIV) using the social determinants of health framework. This study examined the intersecting factors affecting the health and well-being of IRLHIV
in Alberta, Canada, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent mixed methods were used. Employing an online survey (n = 124) and photovoice methodology (n = 13), the findings underscored the amplification of pre-existing inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying the discrimination and stigma faced by IRLHIV due to both their health status and immigration background.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Following spring 2020’s deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in the Alberta meatpacking industry, we conducted research with meatpackers who were formerly resettled refugees and now Canadian permanent residents (PRs) or Canadian citizens. Research with temporary foreign workers often promotes permanent legal status as a solution to poor conditions of precarious work in Canada, but even with permanent immigration status, former refugees experienced a large gap between their rights as “guaranteed” by the state through their PR status and their daily work in meatpacking plants in rural Alberta. Work in the plants is dangerous, dirty, and difficult, and employees found it difficult to enact their rights as workers. Access to adequate breaks, sick days, and other mandated requirements was reported to be contested and contingent. Former refugees working in this sector experience unexpected “unfreedom.” Following spring 2020’s deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in the Alberta meatpacking industry, we conducted research with meatpackers who were formerly resettled refugees and now Canadian permanent residents (PRs) or Canadian citizens. Research with temporary foreign workers often promotes permanent legal status as a solution to poor conditions of precarious work in Canada, but even with permanent immigration status, former refugees experienced a large gap between their rights as “guaranteed” by the state through their PR status and their daily work in meatpacking plants in rural Alberta. Work in the plants is dangerous, dirty, and difficult, and employees found it difficult to enact their rights as workers. Access to adequate breaks, sick days, and other mandated requirements was reported to be contested and contingent. Former refugees working in this sector experience unexpected “unfreedom.”
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries. A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies. We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement. This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
In this qualitative study, researchers conducted interviews with 11 participants who had entered Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and who had since loss status. Findings show policy changes, abuse and exploitation by employers, language barriers, and misinformation and language gaps drive workers out of status. Once without status, people often remain in Canada because they are motivated by issues related to family. These can include the continued desire to bring family members to Canada, financial responsibilities for family members in countries of origin, the desire to stay with Canadian partners or children, or the breakdown of family ties which dissuades the desire to return. Challenges of living without status include mental health struggles, financial strain, and barriers to service access. Interplays between factors driving status loss and experiences of those who live without status in Canada show that the state plays an important role in creating precarity through restrictive immigration and residency policies. Understandings the state’s role in the production of precarity may inform effective policy changes moving forward. In this qualitative study, researchers conducted interviews with 11 participants who had entered Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and who had since loss status. Findings show policy changes, abuse and exploitation by employers, language barriers, and misinformation and language gaps drive workers out of status. Once without status, people often remain in Canada because they are motivated by issues related to family. These can include the continued desire to bring family members to Canada, financial responsibilities for family members in countries of origin, the desire to stay with Canadian partners or children, or the breakdown of family ties which dissuades the desire to return. Challenges of living without status include mental health struggles, financial strain, and barriers to service access. Interplays between factors driving status loss and experiences of those who live without status in Canada show that the state plays an important role in creating precarity through restrictive immigration and residency policies. Understandings the state’s role in the production of precarity may inform effective policy changes moving forward.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Discrimination negatively impacts students’ ability to adapt to and deal with the educational stressors of a new environment. When students experience discrimination, their options are to fight, fawn, or flee—that is, skip school. Results show that experiences of discrimination and psychological isolation are significant predictors of truancy (skipping school). I also find support for the effects of length of residency, paid employment, and participation in voluntary activities on increasing truancy, suggesting the importance of acculturation, socio-economic status, and time availability. Discrimination negatively impacts students’ ability to adapt to and deal with the educational stressors of a new environment. When students experience discrimination, their options are to fight, fawn, or flee—that is, skip school. Results show that experiences of discrimination and psychological isolation are significant predictors of truancy (skipping school). I also find support for the effects of length of residency, paid employment, and participation in voluntary activities on increasing truancy, suggesting the importance of acculturation, socio-economic status, and time availability.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
There remains an ongoing need to address not only the post-migration experiences of newcomers settling in Calgary but also to understand how systems that serve them perceive, make sense of, and contribute to these experiences. By hearing from those who work with newcomers within the institutional settings that support newcomers, we can begin to understand some complexities of newcomer integration. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to explore the perceptions that front-line workers hold regarding needs and experiences of newcomers. This study involved a series of eleven semi-structured interviews with workers at an immigrant-serving language-learning agency which were analyzed using thematic coding. The findings highlighted: front-line workers perception of their newcomer cli-ents’ identity in connection to language; the clients’ emotional burden and sense of belonging; and the challenges clients faced balancing everyday commitments. Moreover, this study explored the front-line worker’s role in cultural brokerage and promoting wellness. This study provided reason to value the practices and interpretations that front-line workers have of the newcomer experience due to the role they play in creating a sense of integration for newcom-ers. The interpretations that surfaced in this study sheds light on the complexity that both front-line workers and newcomers face and implies that further research and interventions are needed to ensure successful integration There remains an ongoing need to address not only the post-migration experiences of newcomers settling in Calgary but also to understand how systems that serve them perceive, make sense of, and contribute to these experiences. By hearing from those who work with newcomers within the institutional settings that support newcomers, we can begin to understand some complexities of newcomer integration. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to explore the perceptions that front-line workers hold regarding needs and experiences of newcomers. This study involved a series of eleven semi-structured interviews with workers at an immigrant-serving language-learning agency which were analyzed using thematic coding. The findings highlighted: front-line workers perception of their newcomer cli-ents’ identity in connection to language; the clients’ emotional burden and sense of belonging; and the challenges clients faced balancing everyday commitments. Moreover, this study explored the front-line worker’s role in cultural brokerage and promoting wellness. This study provided reason to value the practices and interpretations that front-line workers have of the newcomer experience due to the role they play in creating a sense of integration for newcom-ers. The interpretations that surfaced in this study sheds light on the complexity that both front-line workers and newcomers face and implies that further research and interventions are needed to ensure successful integration
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
An effective language policy for migrant students is essential for educational systems. This study explored how immigrant parents advocated for more equitable English as an Additional Language (EAL) policies and practices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants challenged the deficit perspective on immigrant parents and English language learning. An effective language policy for migrant students is essential for educational systems. This study explored how immigrant parents advocated for more equitable English as an Additional Language (EAL) policies and practices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants challenged the deficit perspective on immigrant parents and English language learning.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
