Research Library

This study examined criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families in Calgary, AB based on 30 interviews. Calgary, AB. Our analysis showed that gang-involved youth had experienced multiple, severe and prolonged personal and interpersonal challenges in all facets of their lives and that gradual disintegration of their relationships with family, school and community had resulted in the unravelling of self-concept, ethnic identity, sense of belonging and sense of citizenship and progressively propelled them towards membership in high-risk social cliques and criminal gangs. Our findings brought attention to the need for coordinated, comprehensive support for youth from immigrant families through family-based, school-based and community-based programs. This study examined criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families in Calgary, AB based on 30 interviews. Calgary, AB. Our analysis showed that gang-involved youth had experienced multiple, severe and prolonged personal and interpersonal challenges in all facets of their lives and that gradual disintegration of their relationships with family, school and community had resulted in the unravelling of self-concept, ethnic identity, sense of belonging and sense of citizenship and progressively propelled them towards membership in high-risk social cliques and criminal gangs. Our findings brought attention to the need for coordinated, comprehensive support for youth from immigrant families through family-based, school-based and community-based programs.
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Given the Canadian government’s focus on refugee resettlement in light of global crises, many schools are receiving increased enrolment of students who have experienced the trauma associated with living in, and fleeing from, regions experiencing armed conflict. The authors assert that given the numbers of such students entering Calgarian classrooms, it is important that educators have at least some knowledge of trauma-informed teaching practice. While acknowledging the challenges inherent in trauma-informed teaching practice, the article encourages a move away from a deficit perspective on children from refugee backgrounds, toward one of hope, befitting the resiliency such children bring to their new country. Given the Canadian government’s focus on refugee resettlement in light of global crises, many schools are receiving increased enrolment of students who have experienced the trauma associated with living in, and fleeing from, regions experiencing armed conflict. The authors assert that given the numbers of such students entering Calgarian classrooms, it is important that educators have at least some knowledge of trauma-informed teaching practice. While acknowledging the challenges inherent in trauma-informed teaching practice, the article encourages a move away from a deficit perspective on children from refugee backgrounds, toward one of hope, befitting the resiliency such children bring to their new country.
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Inequities in social determinants of health create a strain that may cause increased engagement in criminal behavior. Furthermore, immigrants may face greater inequities in social determinants than their Canadian-born counterparts. Personal experiences of adult, male immigrant ex-offenders in Alberta were examined to study various circumstances that contributed to their criminal behavior. The participants were in consensus that social determinants of health such as income, education, employment, stress and health risk behaviors have led them to commit crime. Increased research and intervention on risk factors, as well as creating targeted crime prevention programs, are recommended. Inequities in social determinants of health create a strain that may cause increased engagement in criminal behavior. Furthermore, immigrants may face greater inequities in social determinants than their Canadian-born counterparts. Personal experiences of adult, male immigrant ex-offenders in Alberta were examined to study various circumstances that contributed to their criminal behavior. The participants were in consensus that social determinants of health such as income, education, employment, stress and health risk behaviors have led them to commit crime. Increased research and intervention on risk factors, as well as creating targeted crime prevention programs, are recommended.
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When re-establishing their lives in Canada, international migrants with dependent children regularly encounter dramatically different conditions for family life. The parents’ employment situation, the limited availability of extended kin to help with child rearing, and a multicultural and relatively more permissive social environment, all of these invite or even demand changes in newcomers’ family practices. Yet, more information is needed about the ways in which skilled immigrants negotiate the changed conditions for work and family life in this country, and the impact this has on family dynamics during settlement. This study explores how coming to Canada impacted participants’ situations of paid work, parenting practices, and familial gender relations. Findings suggest that strained economic and social resources often limited the extent to which mothers and fathers were able to maintain an organization of family life similar to what they had established in their country of origin. However, while in some cases, shifts in family formation caused heightened levels of stress and strain and further entrenched the doing of conventional gender roles, in others, changed conditions acted as a catalyst for positive change. When re-establishing their lives in Canada, international migrants with dependent children regularly encounter dramatically different conditions for family life. The parents’ employment situation, the limited availability of extended kin to help with child rearing, and a multicultural and relatively more permissive social environment, all of these invite or even demand changes in newcomers’ family practices. Yet, more information is needed about the ways in which skilled immigrants negotiate the changed conditions for work and family life in this country, and the impact this has on family dynamics during settlement. This study explores how coming to Canada impacted participants’ situations of paid work, parenting practices, and familial gender relations. Findings suggest that strained economic and social resources often limited the extent to which mothers and fathers were able to maintain an organization of family life similar to what they had established in their country of origin. However, while in some cases, shifts in family formation caused heightened levels of stress and strain and further entrenched the doing of conventional gender roles, in others, changed conditions acted as a catalyst for positive change.
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Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries are conducted when there is a failure to progress in labor, or compromised fetal status. However, they place women at higher risk for immediate complications compared to vaginal deliveries. Mumtaz et al. (2014) showed that newcomer women in the prairie provinces experienced significantly higher C-section delivery rates compared to Canadian-born women, even though rates of recommendations by healthcare providers was equal. This on-going study aims to understand this trend, and explore how decisions regarding C-section deliveries are made within the experiences of newcomer and Canadian-born women. A focused ethnography was conducted at a universityaffiliated hospital in Edmonton, Alberta for an 8-month period in 2015. The study population comprised: 1) newcomer women who immigrated to Canada after 2004 and 2) Canadian-born women. Both groups consisted of women who have a higher risk of undergoing a C-section. Data collection strategies included participant observation of prenatal appointments, labour and delivery along with in-depth interviews with the women. Preliminary findings indicate that decisions to have emergency C-sections were solely due to physician recommendations. Women stated the safety of the baby as the main reason for following physician recommendations. Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries are conducted when there is a failure to progress in labor, or compromised fetal status. However, they place women at higher risk for immediate complications compared to vaginal deliveries. Mumtaz et al. (2014) showed that newcomer women in the prairie provinces experienced significantly higher C-section delivery rates compared to Canadian-born women, even though rates of recommendations by healthcare providers was equal. This on-going study aims to understand this trend, and explore how decisions regarding C-section deliveries are made within the experiences of newcomer and Canadian-born women. A focused ethnography was conducted at a universityaffiliated hospital in Edmonton, Alberta for an 8-month period in 2015. The study population comprised: 1) newcomer women who immigrated to Canada after 2004 and 2) Canadian-born women. Both groups consisted of women who have a higher risk of undergoing a C-section. Data collection strategies included participant observation of prenatal appointments, labour and delivery along with in-depth interviews with the women. Preliminary findings indicate that decisions to have emergency C-sections were solely due to physician recommendations. Women stated the safety of the baby as the main reason for following physician recommendations.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada. This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada.
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The aim of this study is to assess the oral health of the children of refugees and immigrants (“newcomers”). We also seek to understand the barriers to appropriate oral health care and use of dental services. Finally, we look into clinical and behavioural interventions for this population in North America. In general, children of newcomers exhibit poorer oral health compared with their non-newcomer peers. This population faces language, cultural and financial barriers that, consequently, limit their access to and use of dental services. Intervention programs, such as educational courses and counseling, targeting newcomer parents or their children are helpful in improving the oral health status of immigrant children. The disparity in dental caries between children of newcomers and their peers can be reduced by improving their parents’ literacy in the official language(s) and educating parents regarding good oral health practices. An appropriate oral health policy remains crucial for marginalized populations in general and newcomer children in particular. The aim of this study is to assess the oral health of the children of refugees and immigrants (“newcomers”). We also seek to understand the barriers to appropriate oral health care and use of dental services. Finally, we look into clinical and behavioural interventions for this population in North America. In general, children of newcomers exhibit poorer oral health compared with their non-newcomer peers. This population faces language, cultural and financial barriers that, consequently, limit their access to and use of dental services. Intervention programs, such as educational courses and counseling, targeting newcomer parents or their children are helpful in improving the oral health status of immigrant children. The disparity in dental caries between children of newcomers and their peers can be reduced by improving their parents’ literacy in the official language(s) and educating parents regarding good oral health practices. An appropriate oral health policy remains crucial for marginalized populations in general and newcomer children in particular.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination. Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article documents the impact of recently introduced restrictive family reunification policies on immigrants living in Canada today. Since 2008, Canadian immigration policy has changed dramatically with renewed neoliberal emphasis on economic immigrants and labor-market integration (younger, high-skilled immigrants with strong English or French language skills are prioritized over other groups of newcomers). This led to making the process of reuniting families more difficult and expensive. This article explores the impact of this policy shift on immigrant families and on immigrant women and children in particular. This article argues that there are profound human costs to limiting family reunification; these costs are disproportionately borne by immigrant women (who tend to take addition responsibilities of child care) and ultimately impact immigrant integration and belonging. This article documents the impact of recently introduced restrictive family reunification policies on immigrants living in Canada today. Since 2008, Canadian immigration policy has changed dramatically with renewed neoliberal emphasis on economic immigrants and labor-market integration (younger, high-skilled immigrants with strong English or French language skills are prioritized over other groups of newcomers). This led to making the process of reuniting families more difficult and expensive. This article explores the impact of this policy shift on immigrant families and on immigrant women and children in particular. This article argues that there are profound human costs to limiting family reunification; these costs are disproportionately borne by immigrant women (who tend to take addition responsibilities of child care) and ultimately impact immigrant integration and belonging.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Until recently, there was little acknowledgement that homelessness existed in rural areas in Canada. In order to understand the dynamics of homelessness in rural Alberta, we conducted interviews with service providers and other key stakeholders across Alberta. We examined homelessness dynamics and responses to rural homelessness in 20 rural communities across the province. Across all of the communities in the study, homelessness was reported however, the magnitude of the issue and its dynamics were distinct depending on the local contexts. We also identified several themes which serve as descriptors of rural homelessness issues. We note a number of recommendations emerging from this data which are aimed at building on the experiences, capacities, and strengths of rural communities. Until recently, there was little acknowledgement that homelessness existed in rural areas in Canada. In order to understand the dynamics of homelessness in rural Alberta, we conducted interviews with service providers and other key stakeholders across Alberta. We examined homelessness dynamics and responses to rural homelessness in 20 rural communities across the province. Across all of the communities in the study, homelessness was reported however, the magnitude of the issue and its dynamics were distinct depending on the local contexts. We also identified several themes which serve as descriptors of rural homelessness issues. We note a number of recommendations emerging from this data which are aimed at building on the experiences, capacities, and strengths of rural communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly