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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
This guide provides an overview of where and how Ukrainian immigrants can access a variety of settlement and integration services, as well as any requirements or other eligibility needs for accessing certain programs. This guide provides an overview of where and how Ukrainian immigrants can access a variety of settlement and integration services, as well as any requirements or other eligibility needs for accessing certain programs.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity. Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
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
An overview of the Rainbow Refuge program at the Edmonton Newcomers Centre (previously called the Edmonton Mennonite Newcomers Centre). Rainbow Refuge was the first LGBTQ+ program in the Edmonton settlement sector, and provides support and programming in the following 4 areas: 1) immigration, 2) settlement, employment and mental health, 3) community connection, and 4) education and advocacy. An overview of the Rainbow Refuge program at the Edmonton Newcomers Centre (previously called the Edmonton Mennonite Newcomers Centre). Rainbow Refuge was the first LGBTQ+ program in the Edmonton settlement sector, and provides support and programming in the following 4 areas: 1) immigration, 2) settlement, employment and mental health, 3) community connection, and 4) education and advocacy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This qualitative study aimed to explore the perception of skilled Black immigrants’ workplace experiences and diversity strategies to mitigate discriminatory practices. Thematic analysis indicated that increased diversity was perceived as a solution to inequality. The findings identified a perceived need for a paradigm shift from understanding diversity as a standalone concept to seeing these workplace issues as a polarity dilemma—to better balance the diversity/equality polarity. The shift in thinking could address the ubiquitous challenge of paradoxes in diversity outcomes, which may have a positive social change implication for increased diversity in policy formulation and implementation. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perception of skilled Black immigrants’ workplace experiences and diversity strategies to mitigate discriminatory practices. Thematic analysis indicated that increased diversity was perceived as a solution to inequality. The findings identified a perceived need for a paradigm shift from understanding diversity as a standalone concept to seeing these workplace issues as a polarity dilemma—to better balance the diversity/equality polarity. The shift in thinking could address the ubiquitous challenge of paradoxes in diversity outcomes, which may have a positive social change implication for increased diversity in policy formulation and implementation.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This is AAISA’s fourth annual Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey report. The report is based on the Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey conducted by AAISA in June 2021, which includes quantitative and qualitative data collected through open-ended survey questions, and supplemental references. The 2021 survey was completed by 60 settlement and integration agencies from across Alberta. The survey aims to examine and understand the priorities, systems-level issues, and potential areas of improvement in the Albertan settlement and integration sector. AAISA will use the survey results to improve and develop services and programs that will ensure agencies have the tools to offer innovative, high-quality, and adaptable programs and services to newcomers in Alberta. A total of 60 agencies responded to the Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey conducted by AAISA in June 2021, of which 47 are AAISA members. These agencies provide services across Alberta, including 38% who provide itinerant and satellite services. Additionally, these agencies offer services across the province in over 70 languages. This is AAISA’s fourth annual Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey report. The report is based on the Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey conducted by AAISA in June 2021, which includes quantitative and qualitative data collected through open-ended survey questions, and supplemental references. The 2021 survey was completed by 60 settlement and integration agencies from across Alberta. The survey aims to examine and understand the priorities, systems-level issues, and potential areas of improvement in the Albertan settlement and integration sector. AAISA will use the survey results to improve and develop services and programs that will ensure agencies have the tools to offer innovative, high-quality, and adaptable programs and services to newcomers in Alberta. A total of 60 agencies responded to the Alberta Settlement and Integration Sector Survey conducted by AAISA in June 2021, of which 47 are AAISA members. These agencies provide services across Alberta, including 38% who provide itinerant and satellite services. Additionally, these agencies offer services across the province in over 70 languages.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Evidence suggests that despite growing numbers of refugees entering Alberta each year, there
may not be enough counsellors equipped to provide helping services. Within the counselling context, refugees are identified as at risk for developing complex psychological challenges, requiring culturally sensitive counselling that incorporates diverse culture and language differences. This case study explored how three Alberta-based mental health professionals provide helpful counselling services to refugees and how they prepared to attain competencies and relevant experiences required for providing appropriate, culturally sensitive interventions to refugees. Evidence suggests that despite growing numbers of refugees entering Alberta each year, there
may not be enough counsellors equipped to provide helping services. Within the counselling context, refugees are identified as at risk for developing complex psychological challenges, requiring culturally sensitive counselling that incorporates diverse culture and language differences. This case study explored how three Alberta-based mental health professionals provide helpful counselling services to refugees and how they prepared to attain competencies and relevant experiences required for providing appropriate, culturally sensitive interventions to refugees.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Comprehensive sexual education (CSE) is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as “a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality” (2018, p. 16). Given the social and cultural aspects of sexual education, my research posits that newcomer access to comprehensive sexual education could be crucial to settlement and inclusion processes in Canada. Thus, my research asks: where does immigration and settlement policy intersect with sexual education policy in Canada? How does newcomer and immigrant community access to sexual education impact immigration and settlement processes? To investigate the ways in which the policy areas of immigration and settlement and sexual education overlap, I examine how sexual education is delivered in Edmonton, Alberta, a city that has one of the most robust and multifaceted settlement frameworks in Canada. A key data source for this research includes interviews with settlement workers and others who administer social integration programming, to assess whether or not they think sexual education is integral to settlement and integration, what barriers might exist in providing these services, and relationships between organizations who work in these fields. Before engaging with interview findings, however, this thesis will first provide several contextual chapters. This includes discussion of how access to sexual education and sexual health for newcomers and immigrant communities are part of the landscapes of biopolitics and sexual citizenship in Canada, the multijurisdictional nature of immigration and settlement policy, the terrain of sexual education policy in Canada, and the capacity of comprehensive sexual education to engage in anti-racist approaches. This thesis establishes that sexual education does in fact overlap with immigration and settlement policy, as norms around sex and gender are woven into the immigration process. Although issues related to sexual education do arise in a settlement context, there are both structural and cultural barriers that hinder a more fulsome engagement with sexual education in the services and programs provided by settlement agencies. However, these barriers have been challenged by service providers with strategies that emphasize integrative and relational approaches to sexual education with clients, as well as framing sexual educational content around individual and family wellness. These strategies relate to approaches outlined by UNESCO for effective implementation of CSE, suggesting that settlement work can be conducive to CSE. This thesis also identifies key service gaps in the provision of settlement services at large, and thus sexual education in this context. The research also highlights service gaps from organizations invested in the implementation of CSE in serving newcomer and immigrant communities. The research culminates in recommendations to address these gaps and further areas of research to be pursued. Comprehensive sexual education (CSE) is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as “a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality” (2018, p. 16). Given the social and cultural aspects of sexual education, my research posits that newcomer access to comprehensive sexual education could be crucial to settlement and inclusion processes in Canada. Thus, my research asks: where does immigration and settlement policy intersect with sexual education policy in Canada? How does newcomer and immigrant community access to sexual education impact immigration and settlement processes? To investigate the ways in which the policy areas of immigration and settlement and sexual education overlap, I examine how sexual education is delivered in Edmonton, Alberta, a city that has one of the most robust and multifaceted settlement frameworks in Canada. A key data source for this research includes interviews with settlement workers and others who administer social integration programming, to assess whether or not they think sexual education is integral to settlement and integration, what barriers might exist in providing these services, and relationships between organizations who work in these fields. Before engaging with interview findings, however, this thesis will first provide several contextual chapters. This includes discussion of how access to sexual education and sexual health for newcomers and immigrant communities are part of the landscapes of biopolitics and sexual citizenship in Canada, the multijurisdictional nature of immigration and settlement policy, the terrain of sexual education policy in Canada, and the capacity of comprehensive sexual education to engage in anti-racist approaches. This thesis establishes that sexual education does in fact overlap with immigration and settlement policy, as norms around sex and gender are woven into the immigration process. Although issues related to sexual education do arise in a settlement context, there are both structural and cultural barriers that hinder a more fulsome engagement with sexual education in the services and programs provided by settlement agencies. However, these barriers have been challenged by service providers with strategies that emphasize integrative and relational approaches to sexual education with clients, as well as framing sexual educational content around individual and family wellness. These strategies relate to approaches outlined by UNESCO for effective implementation of CSE, suggesting that settlement work can be conducive to CSE. This thesis also identifies key service gaps in the provision of settlement services at large, and thus sexual education in this context. The research also highlights service gaps from organizations invested in the implementation of CSE in serving newcomer and immigrant communities. The research culminates in recommendations to address these gaps and further areas of research to be pursued.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Since 1978, Canadians have been resettling refugees through Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Sustained critical engagement with the PSR Program is important because of its projected growth within Canada and its use in guiding similar policy development in other countries. I conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with sponsors and refugees from the Lethbridge, Alberta area in the summer and fall of 2020. Their stories demonstrate that the sponsorship experience is influenced by refugee, sponsor, and community characteristics, the relationships between these groups, and the broader contextual setting. This project seeks to add to the growing literature on Canada’s PSR Program by exploring the sponsorship experience through the lens of sponsors and refugees who have first-hand experience and build on feminist discussions and conceptualizations of geographical scale. Since 1978, Canadians have been resettling refugees through Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Sustained critical engagement with the PSR Program is important because of its projected growth within Canada and its use in guiding similar policy development in other countries. I conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with sponsors and refugees from the Lethbridge, Alberta area in the summer and fall of 2020. Their stories demonstrate that the sponsorship experience is influenced by refugee, sponsor, and community characteristics, the relationships between these groups, and the broader contextual setting. This project seeks to add to the growing literature on Canada’s PSR Program by exploring the sponsorship experience through the lens of sponsors and refugees who have first-hand experience and build on feminist discussions and conceptualizations of geographical scale.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
A list of resources and contact information for a variety of organizations that support 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers. Focuses on Edmonton-specific resources, with the addition of some national resources. A list of resources and contact information for a variety of organizations that support 2SLGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers. Focuses on Edmonton-specific resources, with the addition of some national resources.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
