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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Immigration, integration, and intersectoral partnership: A critical examination of introductory winter sport programmes for newcomers to Canada

Sport participation is popularly constructed as a key aspect of integration for newcomers into their new countries of residence. These claims, however, are critiqued by sport and migration researchers. While newcomer sport participation is receiving increasing scholarly interest, lived experiences of newcomers in introductory winter sport programmes and the (in)efficacy of such programmes remains underexplored. Winter sports hold a central place within Canadian culture and identity, making the intersection between winter sport, immigration, integration, and Canadian identity a timely topic of investigation. This thesis explored the realities of designing and implementing introductory winter sport programmes as well as the lived experiences of newcomer participants in Calgary, AB. First, six Canadian Intro to Sport programmes in Calgary involving newcomers were examined. Results from this study were incorporated into designing the WinSport Newcomers Programme (WNP) in WinSport Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB. The WNP is an intersectoral community partnership comprising sport administrators, settlement service practitioners from three separate organizations, and me. I adopted a qualitative case study research design to explore the lived experiences of WNP participants and their parents as well as the (in)efficacy of the WNP as an intersectoral community partnership. Results illuminated the value of winter sport participation for newcomers to Canada as well as various challenges facing the sustainability of newcomer winter sport participation. The WNP represents a maturing intersectoral community partnership that has excelled at introducing newcomers to Canadian winter sports. Yet, various weaknesses (e.g., collaborators negotiating job-related time pressures) are obstructing the collaboration’s effectiveness. Together, the results critique and identify shortcomings in newcomer introductory winter sport programmes, while also offering important insights into how newcomer introductory winter sport programmes may be designed to foster positive outcomes. Sport participation is popularly constructed as a key aspect of integration for newcomers into their new countries of residence. These claims, however, are critiqued by sport and migration researchers. While newcomer sport participation is receiving increasing scholarly interest, lived experiences of newcomers in introductory winter sport programmes and the (in)efficacy of such programmes remains underexplored. Winter sports hold a central place within Canadian culture and identity, making the intersection between winter sport, immigration, integration, and Canadian identity a timely topic of investigation. This thesis explored the realities of designing and implementing introductory winter sport programmes as well as the lived experiences of newcomer participants in Calgary, AB. First, six Canadian Intro to Sport programmes in Calgary involving newcomers were examined. Results from this study were incorporated into designing the WinSport Newcomers Programme (WNP) in WinSport Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB. The WNP is an intersectoral community partnership comprising sport administrators, settlement service practitioners from three separate organizations, and me. I adopted a qualitative case study research design to explore the lived experiences of WNP participants and their parents as well as the (in)efficacy of the WNP as an intersectoral community partnership. Results illuminated the value of winter sport participation for newcomers to Canada as well as various challenges facing the sustainability of newcomer winter sport participation. The WNP represents a maturing intersectoral community partnership that has excelled at introducing newcomers to Canadian winter sports. Yet, various weaknesses (e.g., collaborators negotiating job-related time pressures) are obstructing the collaboration’s effectiveness. Together, the results critique and identify shortcomings in newcomer introductory winter sport programmes, while also offering important insights into how newcomer introductory winter sport programmes may be designed to foster positive outcomes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) 2020-2021 Annual Community Report

This report presents an overview of the work that the EMCN has done in 2020 to help newcomers in Edmonton. These include the expansion of their language delivery programs; provision of online support for the Settlement in Schools program on top of its phone and face to face services; increased participation for the Safe Families Program; and many others. The year 2021 also celebrates 40 years of the EMCN. This report presents an overview of the work that the EMCN has done in 2020 to help newcomers in Edmonton. These include the expansion of their language delivery programs; provision of online support for the Settlement in Schools program on top of its phone and face to face services; increased participation for the Safe Families Program; and many others. The year 2021 also celebrates 40 years of the EMCN.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

How heritage language schools offered grassroots community support through the pandemic

Heritage language schools in Edmonton, AB are grassroots organizations that provide various services for newcomers, such as language classes, employment opportunities, community connections, and day care. 25 heritage language schools were studied during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results showed that the schools gave important support to temporary foreign workers (TFWs), combatted anti-Asian racism, and supported front-line workers. Heritage language schools in Edmonton, AB are grassroots organizations that provide various services for newcomers, such as language classes, employment opportunities, community connections, and day care. 25 heritage language schools were studied during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results showed that the schools gave important support to temporary foreign workers (TFWs), combatted anti-Asian racism, and supported front-line workers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Interim report of African Francophone immigrant community stakeholder discussions: April 2022

The report presents research findings on the challenges faced by different communities, examines these findings in light of stakeholders’ experiences and insights, and explores the strengths and weaknesses of these communities. The report highlights key areas of concern for Black community leaders and organizations in Edmonton, AB and across Canada, including issues related to accessibility, professional integration, social and cultural isolation, minority statuses, and shifting identity. A systematic analysis is currently underway to expand on this preliminary report. The report presents research findings on the challenges faced by different communities, examines these findings in light of stakeholders’ experiences and insights, and explores the strengths and weaknesses of these communities. The report highlights key areas of concern for Black community leaders and organizations in Edmonton, AB and across Canada, including issues related to accessibility, professional integration, social and cultural isolation, minority statuses, and shifting identity. A systematic analysis is currently underway to expand on this preliminary report.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Mapping newcomers’ commute in Calgary

The objective of this study is to identify locations of newcomers and jobs in Calgary and analyze transit-based job accessibility from the locations of newcomers to their prospective jobs. The cumulative opportunity measure is used to compute job accessibility, which counts the number of job opportunities that can be reached from each Dissemination Area in Calgary within a given travel time. In addition, this study examines transit-based job accessibility based on various commute times and jobs in different employment sectors. This study leads to the broad conclusion that newcomers in Calgary need more efficient transit services to deliver them to their potential job opportunities. Given that transit-based job accessibility varies considerably depending on the time of day and industry, time- and industry-specific approaches in transit planning will be helpful in efforts to improve newcomers’ transit- based job accessibility and, in turn, their chances for stable employment and settlement. The objective of this study is to identify locations of newcomers and jobs in Calgary and analyze transit-based job accessibility from the locations of newcomers to their prospective jobs. The cumulative opportunity measure is used to compute job accessibility, which counts the number of job opportunities that can be reached from each Dissemination Area in Calgary within a given travel time. In addition, this study examines transit-based job accessibility based on various commute times and jobs in different employment sectors. This study leads to the broad conclusion that newcomers in Calgary need more efficient transit services to deliver them to their potential job opportunities. Given that transit-based job accessibility varies considerably depending on the time of day and industry, time- and industry-specific approaches in transit planning will be helpful in efforts to improve newcomers’ transit- based job accessibility and, in turn, their chances for stable employment and settlement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Health of the Newcomer-Serving Sector in the PNT Region: A survey of front-line workers in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan – Disaggregated data summary for language training

This comprehensive report provides insights into the state of language training in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The report is based on a survey of front-line workers in the newcomer-serving sector and identifies key areas that require further reflection and action to promote improved sector health. The report highlights the challenges faced by front-line staff in delivering language training and provides recommendations for addressing these challenges. The report is an essential resource for policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders interested in improving the quality of language training services for newcomers in the PNT region. This comprehensive report provides insights into the state of language training in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The report is based on a survey of front-line workers in the newcomer-serving sector and identifies key areas that require further reflection and action to promote improved sector health. The report highlights the challenges faced by front-line staff in delivering language training and provides recommendations for addressing these challenges. The report is an essential resource for policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders interested in improving the quality of language training services for newcomers in the PNT region.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Municipal Approaches and Settlement System Development in Small Communities: Report

This report explores the municipal approaches to settlement system development in small communities in Alberta. It provides insights into the factors that shape municipal approaches to settlement systems in small communities, including economic immigration, collaborative networks, and service systems. The report presents a typology of municipal roles and applies it to specific municipalities, highlighting the constraints, advantages, and emergent issues associated with each role. The report concludes with recommendations for municipalities seeking to develop effective settlement systems in small communities. This report explores the municipal approaches to settlement system development in small communities in Alberta. It provides insights into the factors that shape municipal approaches to settlement systems in small communities, including economic immigration, collaborative networks, and service systems. The report presents a typology of municipal roles and applies it to specific municipalities, highlighting the constraints, advantages, and emergent issues associated with each role. The report concludes with recommendations for municipalities seeking to develop effective settlement systems in small communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Community readiness for building newcomer belonging: City of Chestermere, AB

The Community Newcomer Needs Assessment is an opportunity for municipalities to learn about the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps of local services and supports for newcomers, and challenges the communities to develop a plan to address gaps and weaknesses; help municipalities assess challenges for newcomers provide information about the immigration process. Key strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in services and various challenges and opportunities for newcomers are identified in this report through the lens of the newcomer journey and the newcomer developing a sense of belonging. The Community Newcomer Needs Assessment is an opportunity for municipalities to learn about the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps of local services and supports for newcomers, and challenges the communities to develop a plan to address gaps and weaknesses; help municipalities assess challenges for newcomers provide information about the immigration process. Key strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in services and various challenges and opportunities for newcomers are identified in this report through the lens of the newcomer journey and the newcomer developing a sense of belonging.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Community readiness for building newcomer belonging: town of Hanna, AB

The Community Newcomer Needs Assessment is an opportunity for municipalities to learn about the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps of local services and supports for newcomers, and challenges the communities to develop a plan to address gaps and weaknesses; help municipalities assess challenges for newcomers provide information about the immigration process. Key strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in services and various challenges and opportunities for newcomers are identified in this report through the lens of the newcomer journey and the newcomer developing a sense of belonging. The Community Newcomer Needs Assessment is an opportunity for municipalities to learn about the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps of local services and supports for newcomers, and challenges the communities to develop a plan to address gaps and weaknesses; help municipalities assess challenges for newcomers provide information about the immigration process. Key strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in services and various challenges and opportunities for newcomers are identified in this report through the lens of the newcomer journey and the newcomer developing a sense of belonging.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Health of the newcomer-serving sector in the PNT region: A survey of front-line workers in Alberta, Manitoba & Saskatchewan

The objective of the Health of the Sector (HOTS) survey is to identify challenges, strengths, and opportunities through a quantitative survey. Akin to other employee surveys, the primary objective of the HOTS survey is to evaluate and accordingly improve staff workplace-related experience in order to deliver quality settlement and integration services across the PNT region. By improving the satisfaction of front-line employees, settlement agencies will retain their competent and experienced employees and promote and encourage their long-term commitment to the organization. The objective of the Health of the Sector (HOTS) survey is to identify challenges, strengths, and opportunities through a quantitative survey. Akin to other employee surveys, the primary objective of the HOTS survey is to evaluate and accordingly improve staff workplace-related experience in order to deliver quality settlement and integration services across the PNT region. By improving the satisfaction of front-line employees, settlement agencies will retain their competent and experienced employees and promote and encourage their long-term commitment to the organization.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly