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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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 power of agency: Transformation of gender roles and marital relations among Nigerian immigrant women in Lethbridge, Alberta

This research explores the shifting subjectivities of eight Nigerian immigrant women as they negotiate gender roles and marital relations in Lethbridge. Using the Gendered Geographies of Power framework, this study uncovers a reflexive relationship between the social location of participants, and the type and degree of agency that they display as immigrant women, mothers, and wives, within geographies that include, the Canadian labour market, extended family networks in Nigeria, and nuclear households in Canada. Overall, findings show that by demonstrating agency, participants were able to appropriate social-cultural realities of migration and transnational living for the transformation of marital relations in ways that promoted gendered wellbeing and positioning within their marriages. This research explores the shifting subjectivities of eight Nigerian immigrant women as they negotiate gender roles and marital relations in Lethbridge. Using the Gendered Geographies of Power framework, this study uncovers a reflexive relationship between the social location of participants, and the type and degree of agency that they display as immigrant women, mothers, and wives, within geographies that include, the Canadian labour market, extended family networks in Nigeria, and nuclear households in Canada. Overall, findings show that by demonstrating agency, participants were able to appropriate social-cultural realities of migration and transnational living for the transformation of marital relations in ways that promoted gendered wellbeing and positioning within their marriages.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Alberta: Exploring the Key Determinants of Public Opinion

This research explores public opinion regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program in Canada. It is situated within an important moment in the program’s history, in a province with particularly widespread reliance on it. This analysis is framed with an overview of the expansion of the TFW program over the past several decades, a description of the extensive media coverage given to several prominent examples of misuse of the program in 2013, and the resulting changes to the program. Compared to results from prior nation-wide surveys, the 2013 findings demonstrate that the majority of Albertans believe the TFW program is necessary. Furthermore, the vast majority of Albertans believe TFWs should have the same workplace rights as Canadians, and a majority believe that TFWs should be able to access permanent residency. These findings highlight points where TFW program policy was disconnected from public opinion, particularly with regard to allowing differential pay and permanent residency rights of TFWs. In addition, the 2013 survey findings illustrate some similarities with findings from the broader literature regarding the key determinants of attitudes towards immigration. This research explores public opinion regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program in Canada. It is situated within an important moment in the program’s history, in a province with particularly widespread reliance on it. This analysis is framed with an overview of the expansion of the TFW program over the past several decades, a description of the extensive media coverage given to several prominent examples of misuse of the program in 2013, and the resulting changes to the program. Compared to results from prior nation-wide surveys, the 2013 findings demonstrate that the majority of Albertans believe the TFW program is necessary. Furthermore, the vast majority of Albertans believe TFWs should have the same workplace rights as Canadians, and a majority believe that TFWs should be able to access permanent residency. These findings highlight points where TFW program policy was disconnected from public opinion, particularly with regard to allowing differential pay and permanent residency rights of TFWs. In addition, the 2013 survey findings illustrate some similarities with findings from the broader literature regarding the key determinants of attitudes towards immigration.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Labour market integration project: improving collaboration in Calgary for better employment outcomes for immigrants: final report

With an increasing number of immigrants arriving in Calgary to work and live, there is a need to better understand how social service organizations attempt to create positive and meaningful changes in relation to the labour market integration of immigrants in Calgary. Skilled immigrants continue to arrive in Calgary, bringing with them skills and expertise that could greatly contribute to the economy. The goal of the study is to identify gaps and capacities of the current services working on immigrant labour market integration in Calgary. There are currently 21 members of the Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (ISCC), and other social service organizations in the greater Calgary community working with immigrants and refugees, and there is a need to identify what organizations, programs, and services aim to facilitate immigrant labour market integration. The analyses were focused on documenting and comparing the scope, mandates, and activities of the agencies providing labour market programs and services to immigrants. With an increasing number of immigrants arriving in Calgary to work and live, there is a need to better understand how social service organizations attempt to create positive and meaningful changes in relation to the labour market integration of immigrants in Calgary. Skilled immigrants continue to arrive in Calgary, bringing with them skills and expertise that could greatly contribute to the economy. The goal of the study is to identify gaps and capacities of the current services working on immigrant labour market integration in Calgary. There are currently 21 members of the Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (ISCC), and other social service organizations in the greater Calgary community working with immigrants and refugees, and there is a need to identify what organizations, programs, and services aim to facilitate immigrant labour market integration. The analyses were focused on documenting and comparing the scope, mandates, and activities of the agencies providing labour market programs and services to immigrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Voicing challenges: South Asian immigrant women speak out about their experiences of domestic violence and access to services

Domestic violence is often framed solely as a cultural and marginal problem within our society, despite its far-reaching impact on women… Domestic violence is often framed solely as a cultural and marginal problem within our society, despite its far-reaching impact on women…
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Vulnerabilities and strengths in parent-adolescent relationships in Bangladeshi immigrant families in Alberta

This study investigated the challenges and parent-adolescent relationship factors that contribute to resilience and the successful adjustment of Bangladeshi families following immigration to Canada. The systems framework of family resilience (Walsh, 2006) was used to interpret how Bangladeshi immigrant adolescents and parents experienced and navigated immigration challenges. Using a qualitative approach, four adolescent girls and four parents of adolescents were interviewed to inquire into their experience of challenges related to adolescent development, the immigrant experiences, and parent-adolescent relationships influencing their post-immigration adjustment. Immigrant adolescents faced language and cultural barriers, bullying and discrimination in their school environment while rituals, customs and values from their culture of origin diminished. They felt pressured by their parent’s career expectations and felt they suffered gender discrimination in the family. Parents faced economic and career challenges and a difficult parenting experience. Optimism about the future, parental encouragement, mutual empathy of each other’s struggles, sharing feelings, open and clear communication, flexibility in parenting style and anchoring in cultural values and religious beliefs helped parents and adolescents become more resilient in maintaining a positive outlook with a positive view of their immigration. In some cases, the challenges of immigration pulled the families closer together in mutual support. It is hoped that findings from this study will assist in developing effective social programmes to ease adolescents’ and parents’ transitions among immigrants and to promote resiliency in immigrant families. This study investigated the challenges and parent-adolescent relationship factors that contribute to resilience and the successful adjustment of Bangladeshi families following immigration to Canada. The systems framework of family resilience (Walsh, 2006) was used to interpret how Bangladeshi immigrant adolescents and parents experienced and navigated immigration challenges. Using a qualitative approach, four adolescent girls and four parents of adolescents were interviewed to inquire into their experience of challenges related to adolescent development, the immigrant experiences, and parent-adolescent relationships influencing their post-immigration adjustment. Immigrant adolescents faced language and cultural barriers, bullying and discrimination in their school environment while rituals, customs and values from their culture of origin diminished. They felt pressured by their parent’s career expectations and felt they suffered gender discrimination in the family. Parents faced economic and career challenges and a difficult parenting experience. Optimism about the future, parental encouragement, mutual empathy of each other’s struggles, sharing feelings, open and clear communication, flexibility in parenting style and anchoring in cultural values and religious beliefs helped parents and adolescents become more resilient in maintaining a positive outlook with a positive view of their immigration. In some cases, the challenges of immigration pulled the families closer together in mutual support. It is hoped that findings from this study will assist in developing effective social programmes to ease adolescents’ and parents’ transitions among immigrants and to promote resiliency in immigrant families.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly