Research Library

Canadian epidemiological data suggest an increasing number of HIV infections among people from HIV-endemic countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this paper is to study the lived experiences of African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. The researchers found several narrative threads related to: stigma, social, and family exclusion; as well as HIV illness as a complex personal, familial, and social experience. Also, narratives across different geographic and social spaces shaped the complex experience among African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. The intent of this research was to demonstrate a deeper understanding of lived experience, among African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. It is important to understand social factors and the experience of HIV-related stigma because such experiences impact access to health and social services, as well as health and social outcomes of immigrants living with HIV. Based on the findings of this study, further research is needed to: study more closely the familial contexts of African families affected by HIV in Canada; explore the social and political landscapes that impact the experience of HIV illness and related stigma in Canada, in the context of migration and settlement; and examine the relationship between these experiences and the health and social outcomes of African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. Canadian epidemiological data suggest an increasing number of HIV infections among people from HIV-endemic countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this paper is to study the lived experiences of African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. The researchers found several narrative threads related to: stigma, social, and family exclusion; as well as HIV illness as a complex personal, familial, and social experience. Also, narratives across different geographic and social spaces shaped the complex experience among African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. The intent of this research was to demonstrate a deeper understanding of lived experience, among African immigrants living with HIV in Canada. It is important to understand social factors and the experience of HIV-related stigma because such experiences impact access to health and social services, as well as health and social outcomes of immigrants living with HIV. Based on the findings of this study, further research is needed to: study more closely the familial contexts of African families affected by HIV in Canada; explore the social and political landscapes that impact the experience of HIV illness and related stigma in Canada, in the context of migration and settlement; and examine the relationship between these experiences and the health and social outcomes of African immigrants living with HIV in Canada.
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While the subject of “Muslim integration” has received extensive scholarly attention, especially in the Western European context, there has been little study of the subject in Canada. Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants who make up 20 percent of the population. Yet, Canada has not fully escaped the debates and anxieties related to the accommodation of Muslim immigrants and the integration of those populations. In particular, these anxieties have been displayed around the proposal to use religious law in family based disputes in Ontario in 2005, controversies around the wearing of the niqab in the oath of citizenship, the admission of Syrian refugees in 2015, and concerns over homegrown violent extremism after the 11th of September 2001. This article examines social integration among Canada’s diverse Muslim communities. Using the barometer of a sense of national belonging, it examines the life experiences of Canadian Muslims and their ideas and sentiments related to belonging. It concludes that despite concerns in the community over discrimination and divisive areas of public policy (e.g., security), Canadian Muslims are well integrated socially. While the subject of “Muslim integration” has received extensive scholarly attention, especially in the Western European context, there has been little study of the subject in Canada. Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants who make up 20 percent of the population. Yet, Canada has not fully escaped the debates and anxieties related to the accommodation of Muslim immigrants and the integration of those populations. In particular, these anxieties have been displayed around the proposal to use religious law in family based disputes in Ontario in 2005, controversies around the wearing of the niqab in the oath of citizenship, the admission of Syrian refugees in 2015, and concerns over homegrown violent extremism after the 11th of September 2001. This article examines social integration among Canada’s diverse Muslim communities. Using the barometer of a sense of national belonging, it examines the life experiences of Canadian Muslims and their ideas and sentiments related to belonging. It concludes that despite concerns in the community over discrimination and divisive areas of public policy (e.g., security), Canadian Muslims are well integrated socially.
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Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate. Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate.
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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

Low socioeconomic status, language difficulties and sociocultural barriers can negatively affect many aspects of a healthy pregnancy, including dietary practices. Various life adversities (e.g., poverty), in the absence of women’s family circle created a sense of isolation and increased stress, which were heightened by pregnancy and postpartum. African-immigrant women discussed that in their home countries regardless of their socioeconomic status they felt supported in pregnancy and postpartum as their kinship provided them with “everything they needed” to be healthy. This included nutritious foods, physical activity opportunities, and adequate time for rest. Once in Canada, without sufficient social support, it becomes extremely challenging to be healthy during pregnancy and postpartum. However, women described that services and supports offered through MCHB (Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operatie) (e.g., childcare, cooking classes) facilitated a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. Community-based organizations (CBOs) appear to foster a sense of kinship women often miss when they immigrate to a new country and become pregnant. Policies that support CBOs, and ensure adequate funding, will enable continuing services that can assist immigrant women in being healthier during pregnancy and postpartum in Canada. Low socioeconomic status, language difficulties and sociocultural barriers can negatively affect many aspects of a healthy pregnancy, including dietary practices. Various life adversities (e.g., poverty), in the absence of women’s family circle created a sense of isolation and increased stress, which were heightened by pregnancy and postpartum. African-immigrant women discussed that in their home countries regardless of their socioeconomic status they felt supported in pregnancy and postpartum as their kinship provided them with “everything they needed” to be healthy. This included nutritious foods, physical activity opportunities, and adequate time for rest. Once in Canada, without sufficient social support, it becomes extremely challenging to be healthy during pregnancy and postpartum. However, women described that services and supports offered through MCHB (Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operatie) (e.g., childcare, cooking classes) facilitated a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. Community-based organizations (CBOs) appear to foster a sense of kinship women often miss when they immigrate to a new country and become pregnant. Policies that support CBOs, and ensure adequate funding, will enable continuing services that can assist immigrant women in being healthier during pregnancy and postpartum in Canada.
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Many immigrant and ethno-cultural groups in Canada face substantial barriers to accessing health care including language barriers. This study identified the nature of communication difficulties in maternity services from the perspectives of immigrant women, health care providers and social service providers in a small city in southern Alberta, Canada. We identified four main themes including verbal communication, unshared meaning, non-verbal communication to build relationships, and trauma, culture and open communication. Communication difficulties extended beyond matters of language competency to those encompassing non-verbal communication and its relation to shared meaning as well as the interplay of underlying pre-migration history and cultural factors which affect open communication, accessible health care and perhaps also maternal outcomes. Communication challenges may be experienced by all parties, yet those within health care management and professional bodies are responsible to ensure that providers are equipped with the skills necessary to facilitate culturally appropriate care. Many immigrant and ethno-cultural groups in Canada face substantial barriers to accessing health care including language barriers. This study identified the nature of communication difficulties in maternity services from the perspectives of immigrant women, health care providers and social service providers in a small city in southern Alberta, Canada. We identified four main themes including verbal communication, unshared meaning, non-verbal communication to build relationships, and trauma, culture and open communication. Communication difficulties extended beyond matters of language competency to those encompassing non-verbal communication and its relation to shared meaning as well as the interplay of underlying pre-migration history and cultural factors which affect open communication, accessible health care and perhaps also maternal outcomes. Communication challenges may be experienced by all parties, yet those within health care management and professional bodies are responsible to ensure that providers are equipped with the skills necessary to facilitate culturally appropriate care.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This paper explores the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Our case studies of temporary foreign workers in nursing and trades in Alberta suggest that the TFWP encourages low trust and sense of belonging among migrant workers and resistance from domestic workers because it promotes inequality and exclusion. The inability of most migrant workers to access settlement services, to bring families, to change employers, or to enroll in further education and training overtly discourages their integration into the local community. The TFWP also impacts the domestic workforce and citizenry by creating a new class of workers and non-citizens without the same rights. The dynamics observed at a workplace level predictably impact local communities and Canadian society overall: patterns of diversity are destabilized, values of fairness and equal opportunity are challenged, and norms of reciprocity are weakened. This paper explores the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Our case studies of temporary foreign workers in nursing and trades in Alberta suggest that the TFWP encourages low trust and sense of belonging among migrant workers and resistance from domestic workers because it promotes inequality and exclusion. The inability of most migrant workers to access settlement services, to bring families, to change employers, or to enroll in further education and training overtly discourages their integration into the local community. The TFWP also impacts the domestic workforce and citizenry by creating a new class of workers and non-citizens without the same rights. The dynamics observed at a workplace level predictably impact local communities and Canadian society overall: patterns of diversity are destabilized, values of fairness and equal opportunity are challenged, and norms of reciprocity are weakened.
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This article aims to build both community and scholarly knowledge of skills, aspirations, needs, and characteristics of the international newcomer adult population in Edmonton. It highlights the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) test scores, socio-demographic profiles, as well as goals and plans among adult immigrants and refugee clients of the Language Assessment, Referral, and Counselling Centre (LARCC) in Edmonton, Alberta. LARCC includes both provincially and federally funded programs. It provides immigrants and refugees with a recognized assessment of their current level of English language proficiency; knowledge of local options and resources for relevant English language and occupational training; and helps newcomers explore their educational and career goals/opportunities. This article is largely practical rather than theoretical, presenting a practitioners’ perspective into how to better enhance the benefits of immigration for immigrants, in particular, and for the larger society as a whole. As such, following an empirical discussion, we outline several suggestions: (1) community partners to collaborate in order to “create the networks and pathways that lead to substantive labour market success for the majority of newcomers; (2) increase in social, business, and employment networking opportunities for immigrants; more support for immigrants on-the-job language and occupational skills development, including intercultural or transcultural skill development for established worker and newcomers alike; (3) “language and occupational training opportunities need to be more immediately linked to employers” This article aims to build both community and scholarly knowledge of skills, aspirations, needs, and characteristics of the international newcomer adult population in Edmonton. It highlights the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) test scores, socio-demographic profiles, as well as goals and plans among adult immigrants and refugee clients of the Language Assessment, Referral, and Counselling Centre (LARCC) in Edmonton, Alberta. LARCC includes both provincially and federally funded programs. It provides immigrants and refugees with a recognized assessment of their current level of English language proficiency; knowledge of local options and resources for relevant English language and occupational training; and helps newcomers explore their educational and career goals/opportunities. This article is largely practical rather than theoretical, presenting a practitioners’ perspective into how to better enhance the benefits of immigration for immigrants, in particular, and for the larger society as a whole. As such, following an empirical discussion, we outline several suggestions: (1) community partners to collaborate in order to “create the networks and pathways that lead to substantive labour market success for the majority of newcomers; (2) increase in social, business, and employment networking opportunities for immigrants; more support for immigrants on-the-job language and occupational skills development, including intercultural or transcultural skill development for established worker and newcomers alike; (3) “language and occupational training opportunities need to be more immediately linked to employers”
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Provincial governments increasingly develop strategies that attract immigrants to settle in the Prairie Provinces. Although considerable research examines the role of settlement services in larger cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, there is less information regarding mid-sized cities. Increasingly, newcomers are moving to Manitoba and Alberta due to real or perceived economic opportunities. Unfortunately, some immigrants experience difficulties during their settlement process, and their varied needs create challenges for immigrant-serving organizations as they develop programs. This study explores how philosophies of empowerment influence service providers and their programs for working with professional newcomers searching for meaningful employment. Semi-structured interviews with 21 service providers in Edmonton and Winnipeg illustrate how tensions between competing notions of empowerment and neoliberal ideologies interact to guide how service providers assist immigrants. Although empowerment is a goal of service provision, limited funding and resources may constrain the advocacy role of organizations. Provincial governments increasingly develop strategies that attract immigrants to settle in the Prairie Provinces. Although considerable research examines the role of settlement services in larger cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, there is less information regarding mid-sized cities. Increasingly, newcomers are moving to Manitoba and Alberta due to real or perceived economic opportunities. Unfortunately, some immigrants experience difficulties during their settlement process, and their varied needs create challenges for immigrant-serving organizations as they develop programs. This study explores how philosophies of empowerment influence service providers and their programs for working with professional newcomers searching for meaningful employment. Semi-structured interviews with 21 service providers in Edmonton and Winnipeg illustrate how tensions between competing notions of empowerment and neoliberal ideologies interact to guide how service providers assist immigrants. Although empowerment is a goal of service provision, limited funding and resources may constrain the advocacy role of organizations.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigration to Canada has significantly increased in recent years, particularly in the Prairie Provinces. There is evidence that pregnant newcomer women often encounter challenges when attempting to navigate the health system. Our aim was to explore newcomer women’s experiences in Canada regarding pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care and to assess the degree to which Canada provides equitable access to pregnancy and delivery services. Newcomers were more likely to be university graduates, but had lower incomes than Canadian-born women. Although newcomers residing in Prairie Provinces receive adequate maternity care, improvements are needed with respect to provision of information related to postpartum depression and informed choice around the need for C-sections. Immigration to Canada has significantly increased in recent years, particularly in the Prairie Provinces. There is evidence that pregnant newcomer women often encounter challenges when attempting to navigate the health system. Our aim was to explore newcomer women’s experiences in Canada regarding pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care and to assess the degree to which Canada provides equitable access to pregnancy and delivery services. Newcomers were more likely to be university graduates, but had lower incomes than Canadian-born women. Although newcomers residing in Prairie Provinces receive adequate maternity care, improvements are needed with respect to provision of information related to postpartum depression and informed choice around the need for C-sections.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly