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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
The entire healthcare system, including primary healthcare (PHC) services, has been disrupted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the crisis threatens all citizens significantly, further barriers to accessing care exist for those who are most vulnerable, experience marginalization, and have pre-existing challenges. We aimed to explore immigrants’ lived experiences in accessing and receiving PHC services during the pandemic. A multiphase mixed-methods study using a sequential explanatory design was employed. The first study includes a systematic review that synthesizes the evidence on the experiences that immigrant patients have receiving PHC. Study two provides insights from a recently employed “COVID-19 Experiences and Impacts Survey” data and compares the experiences of Albertans that were born in and outside Canada. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were performed, using STATA. The third study is a qualitative inquiry that aims to gain a deeper understanding of the newcomers’ (living in Canada ≤5 years) and providers’ experiences in PHC during the pandemic. A thematic analysis was applied, using NVivo software. Immigrants reported many challenges in accessing and receiving PHC, and these challenges have been increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this thesis yielded six recommendations that can inform PHC quality improvement initiatives and PHC policy. The entire healthcare system, including primary healthcare (PHC) services, has been disrupted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the crisis threatens all citizens significantly, further barriers to accessing care exist for those who are most vulnerable, experience marginalization, and have pre-existing challenges. We aimed to explore immigrants’ lived experiences in accessing and receiving PHC services during the pandemic. A multiphase mixed-methods study using a sequential explanatory design was employed. The first study includes a systematic review that synthesizes the evidence on the experiences that immigrant patients have receiving PHC. Study two provides insights from a recently employed “COVID-19 Experiences and Impacts Survey” data and compares the experiences of Albertans that were born in and outside Canada. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were performed, using STATA. The third study is a qualitative inquiry that aims to gain a deeper understanding of the newcomers’ (living in Canada ≤5 years) and providers’ experiences in PHC during the pandemic. A thematic analysis was applied, using NVivo software. Immigrants reported many challenges in accessing and receiving PHC, and these challenges have been increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this thesis yielded six recommendations that can inform PHC quality improvement initiatives and PHC policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Edmonton Public School Trustee Michael Janz discusses forward movement in collecting race-based data in Edmonton schools since 2020, while also highlighting multiple areas where Edmonton schools can improve their race-based data, anti-racism and diversity initiatives. Edmonton Public School Trustee Michael Janz discusses forward movement in collecting race-based data in Edmonton schools since 2020, while also highlighting multiple areas where Edmonton schools can improve their race-based data, anti-racism and diversity initiatives.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing. The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families. Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers get to a safe(r) country, calls upon the government to make 3 changes to the refugee system to create more pathways to safety for persecuted and displaced LGBTQ+ people. Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers get to a safe(r) country, calls upon the government to make 3 changes to the refugee system to create more pathways to safety for persecuted and displaced LGBTQ+ people.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report. Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a racialized immigrant in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Racialized trans or non-binary participants reported alarmingly high levels of discrimination, violence, assault, fear, and negative experiences with the police and legal system. Findings from this research apply to Canada in general. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a racialized immigrant in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Racialized trans or non-binary participants reported alarmingly high levels of discrimination, violence, assault, fear, and negative experiences with the police and legal system. Findings from this research apply to Canada in general.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Currently, there is a strong debate on whether School Resource Officers (SROs) should be removed from Edmonton schools. SROs are often not given specialized training to work in schools or with youth—they rely on basic police training. Illustrating this point, some students in Edmonton have claimed that officers at their schools view students as potential threats and criminals rather than as young students. The debate to remove SROs is part of the growing conversation around Black Lives Matter and police brutality. Many argue that SROs extend police involvement, discrimination, and brutality into the lives of BIPOC youth and children, which brings them into—and keeps them entrenched in— the criminal justice system. Currently, there is a strong debate on whether School Resource Officers (SROs) should be removed from Edmonton schools. SROs are often not given specialized training to work in schools or with youth—they rely on basic police training. Illustrating this point, some students in Edmonton have claimed that officers at their schools view students as potential threats and criminals rather than as young students. The debate to remove SROs is part of the growing conversation around Black Lives Matter and police brutality. Many argue that SROs extend police involvement, discrimination, and brutality into the lives of BIPOC youth and children, which brings them into—and keeps them entrenched in— the criminal justice system.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) refugees face discriminatory and harsh experiences in the refugee claimant and hearing process in Canada. Additionally, SOGIE refugees face higher risks, barriers and vulnerability than some other refugee groups. After Bill C-31 (Protecting Canada’s Immigration Act) was passed in 2012, the Immigrant and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was responsible for determining which SOGIE refugee claims were ‘authentic’ or not, despite little knowledge on the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The IRB recently released guidelines to improve this practice. This policy brief describes the state of SOGIE refugees in Alberta and Canada, challenges the group faces, and the efficacy of the new guidelines for the SOGIE refugee claim process. Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) refugees face discriminatory and harsh experiences in the refugee claimant and hearing process in Canada. Additionally, SOGIE refugees face higher risks, barriers and vulnerability than some other refugee groups. After Bill C-31 (Protecting Canada’s Immigration Act) was passed in 2012, the Immigrant and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was responsible for determining which SOGIE refugee claims were ‘authentic’ or not, despite little knowledge on the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The IRB recently released guidelines to improve this practice. This policy brief describes the state of SOGIE refugees in Alberta and Canada, challenges the group faces, and the efficacy of the new guidelines for the SOGIE refugee claim process.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
