Research Library

This article explores the strategies used by government-sponsored institutions dedicated to addressing systemic barriers to employment for racialized immigrants in Edmonton. The research involved conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with service providers, employment program coordinators from different settlement and employment agencies, and a research and training centre operating in Edmonton, Alberta. The first objective is to understand the barriers racialized immigrants face through the hiring and promotion process. The second objective is to understand the support provided by those institutions and the impact of their equity policies on how they assist racialized Canadians in finding gainful employment. Lastly, this study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement on the employment of racialized immigrants in Edmonton. This article explores the strategies used by government-sponsored institutions dedicated to addressing systemic barriers to employment for racialized immigrants in Edmonton. The research involved conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with service providers, employment program coordinators from different settlement and employment agencies, and a research and training centre operating in Edmonton, Alberta. The first objective is to understand the barriers racialized immigrants face through the hiring and promotion process. The second objective is to understand the support provided by those institutions and the impact of their equity policies on how they assist racialized Canadians in finding gainful employment. Lastly, this study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement on the employment of racialized immigrants in Edmonton.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pre-arrival services are considered important in the settlement and integration of immigrants and newcomers in Canada. Filipinos comprise one of the largest groups of non-white immigrants and newcomers in Canada since the 1980s. Of all immigrant groups from non-western countries Filipinos are visibly marked as the “other” yet are considered “ideal’ workers in certain occupational categories like health and service industries where they are most concentrated. Filipinos in Alberta invariably accessed pre-arrival services before arriving in Canada (provided either by the Canadian or Philippine governments; provided by church groups, placement or recruitment agencies, immigration lawyers, and family or other social networks). Those Filipinos without any formal support prior to their arrival in Alberta have made use of varied strategies to find information to assist them in their settlement in the province. In general, pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. These services eventually shaped the choices and decisions they made upon arrival, and were viewed positively, albeit lacking in many ways. All Filipinos in the study are convinced that gender-neutral pre-arrival services provide a better integrative approach for inclusion in Canada, where both males and females are given the same quality of service and information. Pre-arrival services are considered important in the settlement and integration of immigrants and newcomers in Canada. Filipinos comprise one of the largest groups of non-white immigrants and newcomers in Canada since the 1980s. Of all immigrant groups from non-western countries Filipinos are visibly marked as the “other” yet are considered “ideal’ workers in certain occupational categories like health and service industries where they are most concentrated. Filipinos in Alberta invariably accessed pre-arrival services before arriving in Canada (provided either by the Canadian or Philippine governments; provided by church groups, placement or recruitment agencies, immigration lawyers, and family or other social networks). Those Filipinos without any formal support prior to their arrival in Alberta have made use of varied strategies to find information to assist them in their settlement in the province. In general, pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. These services eventually shaped the choices and decisions they made upon arrival, and were viewed positively, albeit lacking in many ways. All Filipinos in the study are convinced that gender-neutral pre-arrival services provide a better integrative approach for inclusion in Canada, where both males and females are given the same quality of service and information.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth-Family Therapy Evaluation report highlights the positive impact of therapy services provided by CCIS to immigrant and refugee families in Calgary. The report covers the evaluation methods, client demographics, therapy outcomes, perspectives on coordinated family supports, opportunities for improvement, and conclusions and recommendations. The report also includes case examples and an executive summary. The evaluation shows that CCIS has been successful in addressing the trauma-related experiences of newcomer families and provides recommendations for further improvement. The CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth-Family Therapy Evaluation report highlights the positive impact of therapy services provided by CCIS to immigrant and refugee families in Calgary. The report covers the evaluation methods, client demographics, therapy outcomes, perspectives on coordinated family supports, opportunities for improvement, and conclusions and recommendations. The report also includes case examples and an executive summary. The evaluation shows that CCIS has been successful in addressing the trauma-related experiences of newcomer families and provides recommendations for further improvement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies. We investigate discrimination experiences of (1) immigrants and racialized individuals, (2) Indigenous peoples, and (3) comparison White non-immigrants in nine regions of Southwestern Ontario containing small- and mid-sized communities. For each region, representative samples of the three groups were recruited to complete online surveys. In most regions, over 80 percent of Indigenous peoples reported experiencing discrimination in the past 3 years, and in more than half of the regions, over 60 percent of immigrants and racialized individuals did so. Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals were most likely to experience discrimination in employment settings and in a variety of public settings, and were most likely to attribute this discrimination to racial and ethnocultural factors, and for Indigenous peoples also their Indigenous identity. Immigrants and racialized individuals who had experienced discrimination generally reported a lower sense of belonging and welcome in their communities. This association was weaker for Indigenous peoples. The findings provide new insight into discrimination experienced by Indigenous peoples, immigrants and racialized individuals in small and mid-sized Canadian communities, and are critical to creating and implementing effective anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who completed their medical degree and training outside Canada area notable portion of skilled migrants to Canada. However, due to a long and uncertain licensure process and limited opportunities many IMGs look for alternative career pathways where they can utilize their learned skills. Alternative careers in the health and wellness sector may offer such opportunities; however, IMGs’ success in these pathways were also less evident despite their high potential. Barriers that IMGs face when attempting alternative jobs in Canada was studied through focus groups in Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON. Focus groups found that IMGs encounter many barriers in different stages of their resettlement journey in Canada, including both the pre-migration and post-migration phases. Collaborations between organizations, policy makers and researchers are needed to target these barriers. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who completed their medical degree and training outside Canada area notable portion of skilled migrants to Canada. However, due to a long and uncertain licensure process and limited opportunities many IMGs look for alternative career pathways where they can utilize their learned skills. Alternative careers in the health and wellness sector may offer such opportunities; however, IMGs’ success in these pathways were also less evident despite their high potential. Barriers that IMGs face when attempting alternative jobs in Canada was studied through focus groups in Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON. Focus groups found that IMGs encounter many barriers in different stages of their resettlement journey in Canada, including both the pre-migration and post-migration phases. Collaborations between organizations, policy makers and researchers are needed to target these barriers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Domestic violence (DV) experienced by immigrant women is a global health concern. Precarious immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination can lead to reluctance in seeking support. Is a non-profit charitable organization and support center for immigrant women. Participants in this study were immigrant women who attended Changing Together. The aim of this study is to illustrate immigrant women’s experiences of DV and identify the community services they access. Domestic violence (DV) experienced by immigrant women is a global health concern. Precarious immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination can lead to reluctance in seeking support. Is a non-profit charitable organization and support center for immigrant women. Participants in this study were immigrant women who attended Changing Together. The aim of this study is to illustrate immigrant women’s experiences of DV and identify the community services they access.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed. To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) jointly commissioned Pivotal Research Inc. (Pivotal Research) to conduct policy research focused on Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in the Prairie provinces—encompassing the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan—building on the TFW Prairie Region Project to provide AAISA and CCIS with insights and opportunities to strengthen the TFW-serving ecosystem across the Prairie region. The Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) jointly commissioned Pivotal Research Inc. (Pivotal Research) to conduct policy research focused on Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in the Prairie provinces—encompassing the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan—building on the TFW Prairie Region Project to provide AAISA and CCIS with insights and opportunities to strengthen the TFW-serving ecosystem across the Prairie region.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community. Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This study investigates the motivation for Nigerian migration to Canada for undergraduate education, with a focus on parent-sponsored undergraduate Nigerian students in Canadian universities. The study shows that middle-class and upper-class Nigerians send their children to Canadian universities for undergraduate education because the student visa provides employment opportunities for international students, during and after studies, and Canadian permanent residence upon graduation. It is demonstrated in the paper that migration for higher education fits the neoliberal agenda of the current Canadian immigration policies and practices that target “designer im/migrants,” that is, im/migrants that are young, skilled, highly productive, educated, and self-sufficient. It is claimed throughout the paper that migration for higher education is not fortuitous for the parents and their children and the Canadian state, as higher tuition paid by international students augments the declining public funding of post-secondary institutions in Canada and avails international students the opportunity of employment and permanent residence in Canada. The study in essence reveals the contradiction in the claim that the neoliberal state is a neutral entity as evidence shows that Canada’s post-secondary institutions implement neoliberal programs with the aid of the Canadian state. This study investigates the motivation for Nigerian migration to Canada for undergraduate education, with a focus on parent-sponsored undergraduate Nigerian students in Canadian universities. The study shows that middle-class and upper-class Nigerians send their children to Canadian universities for undergraduate education because the student visa provides employment opportunities for international students, during and after studies, and Canadian permanent residence upon graduation. It is demonstrated in the paper that migration for higher education fits the neoliberal agenda of the current Canadian immigration policies and practices that target “designer im/migrants,” that is, im/migrants that are young, skilled, highly productive, educated, and self-sufficient. It is claimed throughout the paper that migration for higher education is not fortuitous for the parents and their children and the Canadian state, as higher tuition paid by international students augments the declining public funding of post-secondary institutions in Canada and avails international students the opportunity of employment and permanent residence in Canada. The study in essence reveals the contradiction in the claim that the neoliberal state is a neutral entity as evidence shows that Canada’s post-secondary institutions implement neoliberal programs with the aid of the Canadian state.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly