Research Library

This study explored the perspectives of new immigrant workers regarding occupational health and safety and workplace conditions that increase workers’ vulnerability to sustaining injury or illness. Using an interpretive research approach and semi-structured qualitative interviews, 42 new immigrant workers from a range of industries operating in two cities in a province in Canada were interviewed. Seventy-nine percent of the workers were highly qualified. A constant comparative approach was used to identify key themes across the workers’ experiences. The findings revealed that new immigrant workers have an incomplete understanding of occupational health and safety. In many workplaces, poor job training, little worker support, lack of power in the workplace, and a poor workplace safety culture make it difficult for workers to acquire occupational health and safety information and to implement safe work practices. This study proposes workplace policies and practices that will improve worker occupational health and safety awareness and make workplaces safer for new immigrant workers. This study explored the perspectives of new immigrant workers regarding occupational health and safety and workplace conditions that increase workers’ vulnerability to sustaining injury or illness. Using an interpretive research approach and semi-structured qualitative interviews, 42 new immigrant workers from a range of industries operating in two cities in a province in Canada were interviewed. Seventy-nine percent of the workers were highly qualified. A constant comparative approach was used to identify key themes across the workers’ experiences. The findings revealed that new immigrant workers have an incomplete understanding of occupational health and safety. In many workplaces, poor job training, little worker support, lack of power in the workplace, and a poor workplace safety culture make it difficult for workers to acquire occupational health and safety information and to implement safe work practices. This study proposes workplace policies and practices that will improve worker occupational health and safety awareness and make workplaces safer for new immigrant workers.
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This paper evaluates the wage differences between immigrants and Canadian-born workers within the respective levels of the private and public sectors. We find that the immigrant wage gap tends to be negative and is largest in the private sector. The public-sector premium relative to the private sector is also larger for immigrants that for the Canadian-born when we compare wage differences within the two groups. Combined, these results suggest that public sector wages are important to narrowing the overall immigrant wage gap. This paper evaluates the wage differences between immigrants and Canadian-born workers within the respective levels of the private and public sectors. We find that the immigrant wage gap tends to be negative and is largest in the private sector. The public-sector premium relative to the private sector is also larger for immigrants that for the Canadian-born when we compare wage differences within the two groups. Combined, these results suggest that public sector wages are important to narrowing the overall immigrant wage gap.
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Discrimination negatively impacts students’ ability to adapt to and deal with the educational stressors of a new environment. When students experience discrimination, their options are to fight, fawn, or flee—that is, skip school. Results show that experiences of discrimination and psychological isolation are significant predictors of truancy (skipping school). I also find support for the effects of length of residency, paid employment, and participation in voluntary activities on increasing truancy, suggesting the importance of acculturation, socio-economic status, and time availability. Discrimination negatively impacts students’ ability to adapt to and deal with the educational stressors of a new environment. When students experience discrimination, their options are to fight, fawn, or flee—that is, skip school. Results show that experiences of discrimination and psychological isolation are significant predictors of truancy (skipping school). I also find support for the effects of length of residency, paid employment, and participation in voluntary activities on increasing truancy, suggesting the importance of acculturation, socio-economic status, and time availability.
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The article documents refugee experience in the first year of their settlement in a small city in Canada and then explores whether the size of the community matters in the settlement processes. This is based on an extensive study of Syrian refugee settlement experiences in one large Canadian city (Edmonton) and one small Canadian city (Lethbridge). The findings argue that contrary to existing scholarly literature, small municipalities such as Lethbridge were more creative, nimble, and efficient in settling Syrian newcomers. In small cities, however, lack of denominational and non-denominational organizations to complement government assistance, the onset of compassionate fatigue among the city dwellers, and limited retention of newcomers due to limited employment opportunity are real threats to the settlement process immediately after newcomers’ arrival and in the long term. A more substantial role of municipal governments in the refugee resettlement process is recommended to offset the disproportionate burden settlement sector carries. The article documents refugee experience in the first year of their settlement in a small city in Canada and then explores whether the size of the community matters in the settlement processes. This is based on an extensive study of Syrian refugee settlement experiences in one large Canadian city (Edmonton) and one small Canadian city (Lethbridge). The findings argue that contrary to existing scholarly literature, small municipalities such as Lethbridge were more creative, nimble, and efficient in settling Syrian newcomers. In small cities, however, lack of denominational and non-denominational organizations to complement government assistance, the onset of compassionate fatigue among the city dwellers, and limited retention of newcomers due to limited employment opportunity are real threats to the settlement process immediately after newcomers’ arrival and in the long term. A more substantial role of municipal governments in the refugee resettlement process is recommended to offset the disproportionate burden settlement sector carries.
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There remains an ongoing need to address not only the post-migration experiences of newcomers settling in Calgary but also to understand how systems that serve them perceive, make sense of, and contribute to these experiences. By hearing from those who work with newcomers within the institutional settings that support newcomers, we can begin to understand some complexities of newcomer integration. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to explore the perceptions that front-line workers hold regarding needs and experiences of newcomers. This study involved a series of eleven semi-structured interviews with workers at an immigrant-serving language-learning agency which were analyzed using thematic coding. The findings highlighted: front-line workers perception of their newcomer cli-ents’ identity in connection to language; the clients’ emotional burden and sense of belonging; and the challenges clients faced balancing everyday commitments. Moreover, this study explored the front-line worker’s role in cultural brokerage and promoting wellness. This study provided reason to value the practices and interpretations that front-line workers have of the newcomer experience due to the role they play in creating a sense of integration for newcom-ers. The interpretations that surfaced in this study sheds light on the complexity that both front-line workers and newcomers face and implies that further research and interventions are needed to ensure successful integration There remains an ongoing need to address not only the post-migration experiences of newcomers settling in Calgary but also to understand how systems that serve them perceive, make sense of, and contribute to these experiences. By hearing from those who work with newcomers within the institutional settings that support newcomers, we can begin to understand some complexities of newcomer integration. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to explore the perceptions that front-line workers hold regarding needs and experiences of newcomers. This study involved a series of eleven semi-structured interviews with workers at an immigrant-serving language-learning agency which were analyzed using thematic coding. The findings highlighted: front-line workers perception of their newcomer cli-ents’ identity in connection to language; the clients’ emotional burden and sense of belonging; and the challenges clients faced balancing everyday commitments. Moreover, this study explored the front-line worker’s role in cultural brokerage and promoting wellness. This study provided reason to value the practices and interpretations that front-line workers have of the newcomer experience due to the role they play in creating a sense of integration for newcom-ers. The interpretations that surfaced in this study sheds light on the complexity that both front-line workers and newcomers face and implies that further research and interventions are needed to ensure successful integration
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Despite the lack of a shared definition of integration, this concept word addresses the physical, psychological, and social progress of newcomers, and more. Newcomers are both immigrants and new-to-town individuals, meaning those who have relocated within Canada from other provinces or regions. By exploring literature and lived experiences, this research examines how accurately models of integration reflect and represent the views and experiences of newcomers. Our qualitative case study uses thematic coding of in-depth interviews with newcomers and settlement organizations. Results suggest that models and factors of integration do not fully or effectively reflect the process and desires of newcomers. Though new-to-town individuals possess advantages in their relocation process (e.g., not having to learn a new language or build a cultural foundation in their new location), they do not meet nor do they aspire to meet all the various factors and considerations of integration included in the models. Newcomers seek first to meet their own core needs followed by self-directed needs. In this article, an acculturation model is put forward that encompasses dynamics of individual newcomers’ peculiarities of circumstances. The conclusion is two-fold: Newcomers place priority on immediate core needs and strive to meet other needs leading to place attachment; and their sense of belonging can be brought into question with experiences of discrimination and racism. Despite the lack of a shared definition of integration, this concept word addresses the physical, psychological, and social progress of newcomers, and more. Newcomers are both immigrants and new-to-town individuals, meaning those who have relocated within Canada from other provinces or regions. By exploring literature and lived experiences, this research examines how accurately models of integration reflect and represent the views and experiences of newcomers. Our qualitative case study uses thematic coding of in-depth interviews with newcomers and settlement organizations. Results suggest that models and factors of integration do not fully or effectively reflect the process and desires of newcomers. Though new-to-town individuals possess advantages in their relocation process (e.g., not having to learn a new language or build a cultural foundation in their new location), they do not meet nor do they aspire to meet all the various factors and considerations of integration included in the models. Newcomers seek first to meet their own core needs followed by self-directed needs. In this article, an acculturation model is put forward that encompasses dynamics of individual newcomers’ peculiarities of circumstances. The conclusion is two-fold: Newcomers place priority on immediate core needs and strive to meet other needs leading to place attachment; and their sense of belonging can be brought into question with experiences of discrimination and racism.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Non-status migrants are individuals who do not hold a valid immigration document or official status to stay in Canada. This case study in Calgary, AB conducted interviews on the experiences of non-status Filipino migrants seeking access to health, social, and community services. Challenges and risks to accessing services are discussed. Non-status migrants are individuals who do not hold a valid immigration document or official status to stay in Canada. This case study in Calgary, AB conducted interviews on the experiences of non-status Filipino migrants seeking access to health, social, and community services. Challenges and risks to accessing services are discussed.
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An effective language policy for migrant students is essential for educational systems. This study explored how immigrant parents advocated for more equitable English as an Additional Language (EAL) policies and practices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants challenged the deficit perspective on immigrant parents and English language learning. An effective language policy for migrant students is essential for educational systems. This study explored how immigrant parents advocated for more equitable English as an Additional Language (EAL) policies and practices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants challenged the deficit perspective on immigrant parents and English language learning.
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Clinical guidelines support exercise in managing osteoarthritis. Physical activity in immigrants is affected by migration-related factors: acculturation, stress associated with settling in a new country, physical environments, and availability of resources. Other challenges are: competing time demands, cultural norms and behaviours, motivation and lack of peer support. Adult physical inactivity rates are high in Muslim majority countries, especially for Arab Muslims and Muslim women. Barriers to Muslim women participating in leisure physical activity, for example, include gendered norms of behavior, religious interpretations of women’s participation in sports, lack of access to gender-segregated spaces, lack of social support, lack of education on physical activity and competing social obligations. Participants of this research emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. The four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active, (b) health factors: pain and health limitations, (c) social factors: culture, religion and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility. Lack of effective strategies for pain management was a major concern for many participants and hindered their ability to engage in both daily living activities and more strenuous forms of exercise and recreation activities. Physical activity in older age is valued by older Muslim immigrants but financial, cultural, and environmental barriers to physical activity warrant intervention. One avenue of promoting physical activity in Muslim older immigrants is the development of local, accessible, and culturally sensitive programming that address both the physical activity, education, and socialization needs of this population. Clinical guidelines support exercise in managing osteoarthritis. Physical activity in immigrants is affected by migration-related factors: acculturation, stress associated with settling in a new country, physical environments, and availability of resources. Other challenges are: competing time demands, cultural norms and behaviours, motivation and lack of peer support. Adult physical inactivity rates are high in Muslim majority countries, especially for Arab Muslims and Muslim women. Barriers to Muslim women participating in leisure physical activity, for example, include gendered norms of behavior, religious interpretations of women’s participation in sports, lack of access to gender-segregated spaces, lack of social support, lack of education on physical activity and competing social obligations. Participants of this research emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. The four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active, (b) health factors: pain and health limitations, (c) social factors: culture, religion and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility. Lack of effective strategies for pain management was a major concern for many participants and hindered their ability to engage in both daily living activities and more strenuous forms of exercise and recreation activities. Physical activity in older age is valued by older Muslim immigrants but financial, cultural, and environmental barriers to physical activity warrant intervention. One avenue of promoting physical activity in Muslim older immigrants is the development of local, accessible, and culturally sensitive programming that address both the physical activity, education, and socialization needs of this population.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigrant doctors represent a significant portion of family physicians and specialists in Calgary. Even more could be certified to practice as doctors or in other related professions, but face high financial and regulatory barriers upon arriving. Facilitating their licensing to practice medicine would benefit them and all Calgarians. Immigrant doctors represent a significant portion of family physicians and specialists in Calgary. Even more could be certified to practice as doctors or in other related professions, but face high financial and regulatory barriers upon arriving. Facilitating their licensing to practice medicine would benefit them and all Calgarians.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly