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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

CLIP Survey of Newcomers: Fall 2017 – Summary Report

The purpose of this survey was to better understand why Calgarians who were born outside of Canada do or do not access Canadian settlement services during their migration process. Many people advocated for more relevant, accurate information to be provided pre-arrival. They really wanted to know more about living in Canada and the realities of daily life in Calgary. This related to different social and economic systems in Canada—banking, housing, childcare, children’s education, health care, transit, and how to dress for Calgary’s weather—as well as social norms about environmental protection and recycling. Respondents also recommended various way to advertise settlement services and to help newcomers to effectively navigate the local service system upon arrival in Calgary. Helping newcomers find the programs that exist to help them is critical. More widespread, however, is the disconnection between the attraction of skilled workers and professionals to Canada and the realities of the job market in Calgary. Respondents lamented that they arrived with hope and optimism, only to find they had little chance of working in their chosen field upon arrival. Moreover, they found few if any appropriate supports to help them transition quickly or easily into the work they were trained to do. What this survey has shown is that better advertising of existing programs and services is essential. In addition, different kinds of services and supports are needed for professional and non-skilled migrants. The purpose of this survey was to better understand why Calgarians who were born outside of Canada do or do not access Canadian settlement services during their migration process. Many people advocated for more relevant, accurate information to be provided pre-arrival. They really wanted to know more about living in Canada and the realities of daily life in Calgary. This related to different social and economic systems in Canada—banking, housing, childcare, children’s education, health care, transit, and how to dress for Calgary’s weather—as well as social norms about environmental protection and recycling. Respondents also recommended various way to advertise settlement services and to help newcomers to effectively navigate the local service system upon arrival in Calgary. Helping newcomers find the programs that exist to help them is critical. More widespread, however, is the disconnection between the attraction of skilled workers and professionals to Canada and the realities of the job market in Calgary. Respondents lamented that they arrived with hope and optimism, only to find they had little chance of working in their chosen field upon arrival. Moreover, they found few if any appropriate supports to help them transition quickly or easily into the work they were trained to do. What this survey has shown is that better advertising of existing programs and services is essential. In addition, different kinds of services and supports are needed for professional and non-skilled migrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

CCIS New Pride Program Annual Evaluation Report

The CCIS New Pride Program Annual Evaluation Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and outputs, as well as feedback from clients. The report highlights successful workshops, presentations, and events held by the program, which aim to serve LGBTQ newcomers and create new resources and connections. The report also details the direct impact the program has had on clients’ lives, including increased access to services and improved mental health outcomes. Client feedback is included, providing insight into their experiences with the program and suggestions for future improvements. Overall, the report showcases the effectiveness of the New Pride Program in serving the LGBTQ newcomer community. The CCIS New Pride Program Annual Evaluation Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and outputs, as well as feedback from clients. The report highlights successful workshops, presentations, and events held by the program, which aim to serve LGBTQ newcomers and create new resources and connections. The report also details the direct impact the program has had on clients’ lives, including increased access to services and improved mental health outcomes. Client feedback is included, providing insight into their experiences with the program and suggestions for future improvements. Overall, the report showcases the effectiveness of the New Pride Program in serving the LGBTQ newcomer community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigration and Settlement in Edmonton: Literature review prepared for the Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership (E-LIP) Council

This report is a synthesis of knowledge on four aspects of immigration and settlement in Edmonton – employment, health, youth engagement, and settlement. At least up until 2014, newcomers to Edmonton suffered from higher unemployment rates and were assigned to temporary jobs despite the region’s booming economy. The health literature primarily focused on the maternal health of immigrant women, the general health of youth, the oral health of immigrant children, and HIV infections and mental health of elderly immigrants and members of certain immigrant groups in Edmonton. Cultural and psychological barriers, and layered stigma kept newcomers from accessing appropriate help and services. The issue of immigrant youth engagement in criminal and gang activities is largely attributed to identity issues, feelings of belonging (or lack thereof), poverty, and pre-migration violence and trauma. The report also outlines numerous gaps in the knowledge and suggests further studies on Edmonton. This report is a synthesis of knowledge on four aspects of immigration and settlement in Edmonton – employment, health, youth engagement, and settlement. At least up until 2014, newcomers to Edmonton suffered from higher unemployment rates and were assigned to temporary jobs despite the region’s booming economy. The health literature primarily focused on the maternal health of immigrant women, the general health of youth, the oral health of immigrant children, and HIV infections and mental health of elderly immigrants and members of certain immigrant groups in Edmonton. Cultural and psychological barriers, and layered stigma kept newcomers from accessing appropriate help and services. The issue of immigrant youth engagement in criminal and gang activities is largely attributed to identity issues, feelings of belonging (or lack thereof), poverty, and pre-migration violence and trauma. The report also outlines numerous gaps in the knowledge and suggests further studies on Edmonton.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Settlement experiences of Syrian refugees in Alberta

This report documents the settlement experiences of recently arrived Syrian refugees in Albertan cities. It then compares them across the three streams of sponsorship to better understand the perspectives of the refugees, the sponsors, and the social agencies that work with them. This report documents the settlement experiences of recently arrived Syrian refugees in Albertan cities. It then compares them across the three streams of sponsorship to better understand the perspectives of the refugees, the sponsors, and the social agencies that work with them.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Organizational racism: Self-assessment

This document provides questions for organizations to assess how well they are addressing organizational racism and anti-racism within their staff, mission, and clients. This document provides questions for organizations to assess how well they are addressing organizational racism and anti-racism within their staff, mission, and clients.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Prairie and Northern Territories (PNT) LGBTQ+ Newcomers Settlement Conference

Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, Alberta hosted a conference on settlement of LGBTQ+ newcomers. Key themes from the conference include: 1) complex barriers faced by LGBTQ+ newcomers; 2) service gaps for LGBTQ+ newcomers; 3) lack of Canadian research on this topic; 4) several promising programs currently exist. This report summarizes the key themes of the two-day conference and documents the key outcomes of the brainstorming and action planning sessions. It also provides a summative evaluation, documenting both the expectations and feedback from conference participants. Centre for Newcomers in Calgary, Alberta hosted a conference on settlement of LGBTQ+ newcomers. Key themes from the conference include: 1) complex barriers faced by LGBTQ+ newcomers; 2) service gaps for LGBTQ+ newcomers; 3) lack of Canadian research on this topic; 4) several promising programs currently exist. This report summarizes the key themes of the two-day conference and documents the key outcomes of the brainstorming and action planning sessions. It also provides a summative evaluation, documenting both the expectations and feedback from conference participants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

African Immigrant Child and Family Well-Being in Alberta: First Stakeholders Meeting Proceedings

Recent statistics indicate that Alberta will continue to be a popular destination for African immigrants, however African families face parenting challenges that threaten their integration, mental health and general wellbeing. This meeting, the first of its kind in Alberta, brought together around 150 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including African immigrant parents, service providers, policy makers and researchers across Alberta. This report is a summary of the presentations, panels and focus groups in the meeting. Recent statistics indicate that Alberta will continue to be a popular destination for African immigrants, however African families face parenting challenges that threaten their integration, mental health and general wellbeing. This meeting, the first of its kind in Alberta, brought together around 150 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including African immigrant parents, service providers, policy makers and researchers across Alberta. This report is a summary of the presentations, panels and focus groups in the meeting.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Resettling in the Canadian Prairies: A Survey of Syrian Refugees in Canada’s Prairies

This study assesses the services provided in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in terms of housing needs, language training, and job search experiences. Upon arrival, the vast majority of the refugees are provided short-term accommodation in hotels. Only one third, however, is satisfied with the response to their housing needs. Women are not facing as much difficulty as men. Compared to PSRs, the GARs are face greater difficulty finding work in Alberta. This study assesses the services provided in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in terms of housing needs, language training, and job search experiences. Upon arrival, the vast majority of the refugees are provided short-term accommodation in hotels. Only one third, however, is satisfied with the response to their housing needs. Women are not facing as much difficulty as men. Compared to PSRs, the GARs are face greater difficulty finding work in Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Accessing Mental Health Services for Newcomers in Alberta: Environmental Scan

The “Accessing Mental Health Services in Alberta” research project was initiated by the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) to assess the diversity of mental health services available to newcomers in Alberta and offer recommendations for improving accessibility. The report highlights the challenges that newcomers face when accessing mental health services, as well as gaps in the existing mental health system in Alberta. Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of addressing the specific needs of newcomers in mental health service provision and improving accessibility to ensure that all Albertans have access to the care they need. The “Accessing Mental Health Services in Alberta” research project was initiated by the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) to assess the diversity of mental health services available to newcomers in Alberta and offer recommendations for improving accessibility. The report highlights the challenges that newcomers face when accessing mental health services, as well as gaps in the existing mental health system in Alberta. Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of addressing the specific needs of newcomers in mental health service provision and improving accessibility to ensure that all Albertans have access to the care they need.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly