Research Library

This paper presents the stories of four immigrant teachers as they endeavor to resume their teaching careers in Calgary, Alberta. The teachers in this study participated in a six-month professional bridging program in Calgary in 2008 in order to upgrade their professional knowledge and to meet Alberta certification requirements before seeking employment in local school boards. The professional integration consists of challenges and reflection on the teachers part, but they are happy that the bridging program helps them meet the Alberta certification requirements to be able to teach in local schools. The process of relearning through this program has improved their professional teaching and confidence level in terms of teaching methodology and interaction with students and colleagues. In a changing educational Alberta landscape that is becoming increasingly diverse, stories of internationally educated professionals are increasingly relevant, yet seldom found in the literature on teaching. This paper presents the stories of four immigrant teachers as they endeavor to resume their teaching careers in Calgary, Alberta. The teachers in this study participated in a six-month professional bridging program in Calgary in 2008 in order to upgrade their professional knowledge and to meet Alberta certification requirements before seeking employment in local school boards. The professional integration consists of challenges and reflection on the teachers part, but they are happy that the bridging program helps them meet the Alberta certification requirements to be able to teach in local schools. The process of relearning through this program has improved their professional teaching and confidence level in terms of teaching methodology and interaction with students and colleagues. In a changing educational Alberta landscape that is becoming increasingly diverse, stories of internationally educated professionals are increasingly relevant, yet seldom found in the literature on teaching.
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This provincial report describes current capacities and gaps in settlement services in eight small urban centres and rural communities in Alberta. Communities involved were Red Deer, Wood Buffalo, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Brooks, Lloydminster, and Fort Saskatchewan. This provincial report describes current capacities and gaps in settlement services in eight small urban centres and rural communities in Alberta. Communities involved were Red Deer, Wood Buffalo, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Brooks, Lloydminster, and Fort Saskatchewan.
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Skilled immigrants are a key source of labour supply to address the expected labour market shortages in Canada. But immigrants need the accreditation to work at their chosen occupation. However, credential recognition is difficult for many immigrants because they often don’t have access to credit. We analyzed the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) and estimated how profitable and efficient it is as an investment. IAF is an institution providing small loans on a not-for-profit basis to assist Alberta immigrants in acquiring the Canadian accreditation and training they need to work their field of expertise. We assessed that effectively, each dollar that the government puts towards this program generates $3 or more in GDP. This means that IAF is an efficient program, and it can serve as an example in the improvement of the Canadian immigration policy. Skilled immigrants are a key source of labour supply to address the expected labour market shortages in Canada. But immigrants need the accreditation to work at their chosen occupation. However, credential recognition is difficult for many immigrants because they often don’t have access to credit. We analyzed the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) and estimated how profitable and efficient it is as an investment. IAF is an institution providing small loans on a not-for-profit basis to assist Alberta immigrants in acquiring the Canadian accreditation and training they need to work their field of expertise. We assessed that effectively, each dollar that the government puts towards this program generates $3 or more in GDP. This means that IAF is an efficient program, and it can serve as an example in the improvement of the Canadian immigration policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Low socioeconomic status, language difficulties and sociocultural barriers can negatively affect many aspects of a healthy pregnancy, including dietary practices. Various life adversities (e.g., poverty), in the absence of women’s family circle created a sense of isolation and increased stress, which were heightened by pregnancy and postpartum. African-immigrant women discussed that in their home countries regardless of their socioeconomic status they felt supported in pregnancy and postpartum as their kinship provided them with “everything they needed” to be healthy. This included nutritious foods, physical activity opportunities, and adequate time for rest. Once in Canada, without sufficient social support, it becomes extremely challenging to be healthy during pregnancy and postpartum. However, women described that services and supports offered through MCHB (Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operatie) (e.g., childcare, cooking classes) facilitated a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. Community-based organizations (CBOs) appear to foster a sense of kinship women often miss when they immigrate to a new country and become pregnant. Policies that support CBOs, and ensure adequate funding, will enable continuing services that can assist immigrant women in being healthier during pregnancy and postpartum in Canada. Low socioeconomic status, language difficulties and sociocultural barriers can negatively affect many aspects of a healthy pregnancy, including dietary practices. Various life adversities (e.g., poverty), in the absence of women’s family circle created a sense of isolation and increased stress, which were heightened by pregnancy and postpartum. African-immigrant women discussed that in their home countries regardless of their socioeconomic status they felt supported in pregnancy and postpartum as their kinship provided them with “everything they needed” to be healthy. This included nutritious foods, physical activity opportunities, and adequate time for rest. Once in Canada, without sufficient social support, it becomes extremely challenging to be healthy during pregnancy and postpartum. However, women described that services and supports offered through MCHB (Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operatie) (e.g., childcare, cooking classes) facilitated a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. Community-based organizations (CBOs) appear to foster a sense of kinship women often miss when they immigrate to a new country and become pregnant. Policies that support CBOs, and ensure adequate funding, will enable continuing services that can assist immigrant women in being healthier during pregnancy and postpartum in Canada.
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This report describes the results of a telephone survey conducted in 2012 of recent immigrants to Alberta concerning their experiences with settlement services in the province, their information needs, and their economic and social integration outcomes. This report describes the results of a telephone survey conducted in 2012 of recent immigrants to Alberta concerning their experiences with settlement services in the province, their information needs, and their economic and social integration outcomes.
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In examining the economic integration of Chinese immigrants in Calgary and Edmonton, this study reveals that recent immigrants have encountered multi-faceted barriers, particularly in employment and language. Furthermore, they have experienced deskilling and devaluation of their prior learning and work experience after immigrating to Canada. As a consequence, many have suffered unemployment and underemployment, poor economic performance, and downward social mobility, which have adversely hindered their integration process. Immigrants’ negative experience can be attributed to a triple glass effect consisting of a glass gate, glass door, and glass ceiling. While a glass gate denies immigrants’ entrance to guarded professional communities, a glass door blocks immigrants’ access to professional employment at high-wage firms. It is the glass ceiling which prevents immigrants from moving up to management positions because of their ethnic and cultural differences. This study calls for the adoption of an inclusive framework that works toward recognitive justice in balancing freedom of mobility with recognition and full membership in Canada. In examining the economic integration of Chinese immigrants in Calgary and Edmonton, this study reveals that recent immigrants have encountered multi-faceted barriers, particularly in employment and language. Furthermore, they have experienced deskilling and devaluation of their prior learning and work experience after immigrating to Canada. As a consequence, many have suffered unemployment and underemployment, poor economic performance, and downward social mobility, which have adversely hindered their integration process. Immigrants’ negative experience can be attributed to a triple glass effect consisting of a glass gate, glass door, and glass ceiling. While a glass gate denies immigrants’ entrance to guarded professional communities, a glass door blocks immigrants’ access to professional employment at high-wage firms. It is the glass ceiling which prevents immigrants from moving up to management positions because of their ethnic and cultural differences. This study calls for the adoption of an inclusive framework that works toward recognitive justice in balancing freedom of mobility with recognition and full membership in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This study explores the relationship between residential overcrowding among immigrants and hidden homelessness in Canada. It presents mixed evidence on the link between residential overcrowding and hidden homelessness, as well as reflections on unique avoidance strategies used by immigrant communities to keep their co-ethnics off the streets and out of homeless shelters. While the research does not focus specifically on Calgary and Edmonton, it includes data on these cities as part of a larger study on hidden homelessness in Canada. This may be of interest to policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to address homelessness and housing insecurity in these cities and beyond. This study explores the relationship between residential overcrowding among immigrants and hidden homelessness in Canada. It presents mixed evidence on the link between residential overcrowding and hidden homelessness, as well as reflections on unique avoidance strategies used by immigrant communities to keep their co-ethnics off the streets and out of homeless shelters. While the research does not focus specifically on Calgary and Edmonton, it includes data on these cities as part of a larger study on hidden homelessness in Canada. This may be of interest to policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to address homelessness and housing insecurity in these cities and beyond.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This paper examines the lived experiences of Chinese-Canadian youth in Alberta in relation to two multiculturalism debates: multiculturalism as a politics of recognition and multiculturalism as a cohesive force. It focuses on three themes of their lived experiences, which include racial discrimination and stereotypes in school; biased media representation; and the relationship between ethnic language maintenance, sense of belonging and multiculturalism policy within a bilingual framework. Two findings are highlighted in this paper. First, the racism youth experienced at school and the racist discourse against Chinese-Canadian students found in Canadian media indicate that Chinese Canadians as racialized and ethnic minorities have not been recognized and treated as equal partners in social interactions with the White dominant group. The multicultural policy focus and task of addressing racism in the 1980s has yet to be finished despite current multicultural policy having a new focus. Second, multiculturalism within a bilingual framework is more an assimilating force than a divisive one. Given the separation of language rights and cultural rights as well as the strong linguistic and cultural assimilation forces in major Canadian institutions, it is less likely for Chinese-Canadian youth to maintain their ethnic language and culture. The main factor that affects their sense of belonging to Canada is the racism in Canadian society rather than the symbolic recognition of diversity that multiculturalism encourages. This paper examines the lived experiences of Chinese-Canadian youth in Alberta in relation to two multiculturalism debates: multiculturalism as a politics of recognition and multiculturalism as a cohesive force. It focuses on three themes of their lived experiences, which include racial discrimination and stereotypes in school; biased media representation; and the relationship between ethnic language maintenance, sense of belonging and multiculturalism policy within a bilingual framework. Two findings are highlighted in this paper. First, the racism youth experienced at school and the racist discourse against Chinese-Canadian students found in Canadian media indicate that Chinese Canadians as racialized and ethnic minorities have not been recognized and treated as equal partners in social interactions with the White dominant group. The multicultural policy focus and task of addressing racism in the 1980s has yet to be finished despite current multicultural policy having a new focus. Second, multiculturalism within a bilingual framework is more an assimilating force than a divisive one. Given the separation of language rights and cultural rights as well as the strong linguistic and cultural assimilation forces in major Canadian institutions, it is less likely for Chinese-Canadian youth to maintain their ethnic language and culture. The main factor that affects their sense of belonging to Canada is the racism in Canadian society rather than the symbolic recognition of diversity that multiculturalism encourages.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This report collates findings from a series of public consultations conducted to review and receive feedback on the impacts of the TFW program on Alberta’s workforce, its communities and its people. The review was meant to identify the role of the TFW program in Alberta’s labour force planning, what role TFWs fill in Alberta’s labour market and how to ensure that the program is best serving the needs of Albertans. This report collates findings from a series of public consultations conducted to review and receive feedback on the impacts of the TFW program on Alberta’s workforce, its communities and its people. The review was meant to identify the role of the TFW program in Alberta’s labour force planning, what role TFWs fill in Alberta’s labour market and how to ensure that the program is best serving the needs of Albertans.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Ethno-specific organizations are often criticized for threatening national unity, diluting Canadian identity, and promoting ghettoization and separatism. Drawing from two case studies, this article examines the role of Chinese ethnic organizations in responding to changing community needs in Edmonton and Calgary. The study results suggested that ethno-specific organizations can be an effective alternative in providing accessible and equitable social services for immigrants because they are more closely connected with and responsive to ethnic community needs. The study reveals the salience of ethnicity as both an important resource and a liability. On the one hand, ethnicity was utilized by the state as a way to mobilize ethnic political support to serve an ethnic-specific community; on the other hand, the same ethnicity also became a device for the state to legitimize its political agenda in multiculturizing ethno-specific organizations with an ultimate goal of assimilation. To build an inclusive society, it is imperative to treat ethno-specific organizations as an integral part of Canadian society and to adopt minority rights that recognize and accommodate the distinctive identities and needs of ethno-cultural groups and their ethnic communities. Ethno-specific organizations are often criticized for threatening national unity, diluting Canadian identity, and promoting ghettoization and separatism. Drawing from two case studies, this article examines the role of Chinese ethnic organizations in responding to changing community needs in Edmonton and Calgary. The study results suggested that ethno-specific organizations can be an effective alternative in providing accessible and equitable social services for immigrants because they are more closely connected with and responsive to ethnic community needs. The study reveals the salience of ethnicity as both an important resource and a liability. On the one hand, ethnicity was utilized by the state as a way to mobilize ethnic political support to serve an ethnic-specific community; on the other hand, the same ethnicity also became a device for the state to legitimize its political agenda in multiculturizing ethno-specific organizations with an ultimate goal of assimilation. To build an inclusive society, it is imperative to treat ethno-specific organizations as an integral part of Canadian society and to adopt minority rights that recognize and accommodate the distinctive identities and needs of ethno-cultural groups and their ethnic communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly