Research Library

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.
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The perspective of immigrant communities on priorities and potential solutions to health care access has not been extensively researched. A research initiative that involved grassroots community members as producers of research priorities on primary care access issues is described in this article. Bangladeshi-Canadians living in Calgary, AB completed a survey where they ranked primary healthcare priorities. Lack of resources, lack of knowledge, health care cost, and workplace-related barriers were among the top-ranked topics identified as solution-oriented research priorities. Through partnerships and reciprocal learning, public input can increase insider perspectives to help develop interventions that align with the needs of community members. The perspective of immigrant communities on priorities and potential solutions to health care access has not been extensively researched. A research initiative that involved grassroots community members as producers of research priorities on primary care access issues is described in this article. Bangladeshi-Canadians living in Calgary, AB completed a survey where they ranked primary healthcare priorities. Lack of resources, lack of knowledge, health care cost, and workplace-related barriers were among the top-ranked topics identified as solution-oriented research priorities. Through partnerships and reciprocal learning, public input can increase insider perspectives to help develop interventions that align with the needs of community members.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications. Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Understanding barriers in primary health care access faced by Canadian immigrants, especially among women, is important for developing mitigation strategies. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of perceived challenges and unmet primary health care access needs of Bangladeshi immigrant women in Calgary, AB. 7 focus groups conducted in Bangla with 42 women reported that significant barriers included long wait times in the emergency room, frustration from slow treatment process, economic losses resulting from absence at work, communication gap between physicians and patients, and transportation problems to go to the health care centers. No access to medical records for walk-in doctors, lack of urgent care, and lack of knowledge about Canadian health care systems are a few of other barriers emerged from the focus group discussions. The community perception about lack of primary health care resources is quite prevalent and is considered as one of the most important barriers by the grassroots community members. Understanding barriers in primary health care access faced by Canadian immigrants, especially among women, is important for developing mitigation strategies. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of perceived challenges and unmet primary health care access needs of Bangladeshi immigrant women in Calgary, AB. 7 focus groups conducted in Bangla with 42 women reported that significant barriers included long wait times in the emergency room, frustration from slow treatment process, economic losses resulting from absence at work, communication gap between physicians and patients, and transportation problems to go to the health care centers. No access to medical records for walk-in doctors, lack of urgent care, and lack of knowledge about Canadian health care systems are a few of other barriers emerged from the focus group discussions. The community perception about lack of primary health care resources is quite prevalent and is considered as one of the most important barriers by the grassroots community members.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

African immigrant children and youth have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Although parenting challenges have been widely documented as a key driver of these outcomes, this issue has not been properly researched. In this paper, we examine parenting challenges among a sample of African immigrant parents in Alberta, Canada. We discovered main parenting challenges, organized around six overarching themes. Specifically, African immigrant parents deal with cultural incompatibility, family tension, state interference, limited social supports, poor access to services, and low socioeconomic status. Thus the state policy regarding child protection needs to change, and social service organization need to tailor their programmes to cultural specificities of African communities. African immigrant children and youth have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Although parenting challenges have been widely documented as a key driver of these outcomes, this issue has not been properly researched. In this paper, we examine parenting challenges among a sample of African immigrant parents in Alberta, Canada. We discovered main parenting challenges, organized around six overarching themes. Specifically, African immigrant parents deal with cultural incompatibility, family tension, state interference, limited social supports, poor access to services, and low socioeconomic status. Thus the state policy regarding child protection needs to change, and social service organization need to tailor their programmes to cultural specificities of African communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Interviews were used to explore the experiences of immigrant parents in accessing Albertan healthcare services for their children. The findings highlight several challenges faced by immigrant families, including long wait times for health services, income inequity, and language barriers. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing the supply of health professionals, addressing income inequity, and providing trained interpreters to assist immigrant populations. Additionally, developing a therapeutic relationship with immigrants is identified as vital for improving access to healthcare. Interviews were used to explore the experiences of immigrant parents in accessing Albertan healthcare services for their children. The findings highlight several challenges faced by immigrant families, including long wait times for health services, income inequity, and language barriers. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing the supply of health professionals, addressing income inequity, and providing trained interpreters to assist immigrant populations. Additionally, developing a therapeutic relationship with immigrants is identified as vital for improving access to healthcare.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues. Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The increase in global migration means more immigrants are ageing in host countries with unique experiences and needs. Muslim immigrants in Canada are from diverse ethnocultural communities and experience unmet health and social needs in older age. A community-based participatory research project was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in 2017-2018 to understand the experiences and needs of healthy ageing in this population. Participants were asked about their experiences of growing old in Canada, unmet health and social needs, and community perspectives on healthy ageing. We identified two major themes: (a) intersections of exclusion: ageism, sexism, racism, and; (b) strategies for inclusion: local, national, transnational. Findings highlight both the vulnerability of Muslim immigrant older adults and their capacity for agency. The study findings point to the intersecting influences of exclusionary practices on social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults. They also call to adjust developing social policies and programs according to existing exclusionary practices to foster healthy ageing. The increase in global migration means more immigrants are ageing in host countries with unique experiences and needs. Muslim immigrants in Canada are from diverse ethnocultural communities and experience unmet health and social needs in older age. A community-based participatory research project was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in 2017-2018 to understand the experiences and needs of healthy ageing in this population. Participants were asked about their experiences of growing old in Canada, unmet health and social needs, and community perspectives on healthy ageing. We identified two major themes: (a) intersections of exclusion: ageism, sexism, racism, and; (b) strategies for inclusion: local, national, transnational. Findings highlight both the vulnerability of Muslim immigrant older adults and their capacity for agency. The study findings point to the intersecting influences of exclusionary practices on social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults. They also call to adjust developing social policies and programs according to existing exclusionary practices to foster healthy ageing.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article looks at strategies of resistance that Sub-Saharan Africans employ while adapting to Canadian environment. We assert that the refugees engage in numerous economic, sociopolitical and cultural transnational activities. Their initiatives benefit the refugees themselves and the sending and receiving countries. They serve as anti-racism and development tools against the backdrop of racism that they endure in Canada, the trauma of war and displacement, as well as war-related destruction in the sending country. They also strengthen awareness and better understanding of multiculturalism among Canadians. In the process, the subjects drew on scarce resources and overcame atrocious difficulties in order to improve their lives and create uplifting stories and actions. Though transnational migration also generates problematic impacts, these barriers could be overcome if the benefits of transnational migration are extended. Thus, we draw on the subjects’ resilience to expand conceptions about transnational migration in order to turn it into a most fruitful avenue in the twenty-first century. This article looks at strategies of resistance that Sub-Saharan Africans employ while adapting to Canadian environment. We assert that the refugees engage in numerous economic, sociopolitical and cultural transnational activities. Their initiatives benefit the refugees themselves and the sending and receiving countries. They serve as anti-racism and development tools against the backdrop of racism that they endure in Canada, the trauma of war and displacement, as well as war-related destruction in the sending country. They also strengthen awareness and better understanding of multiculturalism among Canadians. In the process, the subjects drew on scarce resources and overcame atrocious difficulties in order to improve their lives and create uplifting stories and actions. Though transnational migration also generates problematic impacts, these barriers could be overcome if the benefits of transnational migration are extended. Thus, we draw on the subjects’ resilience to expand conceptions about transnational migration in order to turn it into a most fruitful avenue in the twenty-first century.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The ability to communicate in the dominant language of the host society is essential to the short- and long-term integration of all newcomers. Research has shown that experiencing trauma may affect the speed at which a new language is learned by some newcomers. Other research shows that pre-arrival education has an influence on the language learning abilities of newcomers. Unfortunately, there is little research on the two issues and how they may combine to affect language learning among refugees. Our paper addresses the following question: How does pre-arrival education and trauma influence the ability of refugee women to learn a new language? Through narrative interviews with 35 newly arrived Yazidis in Toronto, Calgary, London and Winnipeg, we examine refugee women’s experience learning English from their point of view. Our evidence supports the idea that increasing support for timely access to address trauma, more funded time in Stage One language learning, and additional educational supports may accelerate the integration process. The ability to communicate in the dominant language of the host society is essential to the short- and long-term integration of all newcomers. Research has shown that experiencing trauma may affect the speed at which a new language is learned by some newcomers. Other research shows that pre-arrival education has an influence on the language learning abilities of newcomers. Unfortunately, there is little research on the two issues and how they may combine to affect language learning among refugees. Our paper addresses the following question: How does pre-arrival education and trauma influence the ability of refugee women to learn a new language? Through narrative interviews with 35 newly arrived Yazidis in Toronto, Calgary, London and Winnipeg, we examine refugee women’s experience learning English from their point of view. Our evidence supports the idea that increasing support for timely access to address trauma, more funded time in Stage One language learning, and additional educational supports may accelerate the integration process.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly