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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
This paper discusses the ways of increasing Alberta’s labour force. Increasing Alberta’s labour supply at the extensive margin involves increasing the population, which can be accomplished in three ways: higher birth rates, increased numbers of migrants arriving from other Canadian provinces, and increased immigration. Given these trends, immigration is becoming an increasingly important source of labour force growth throughout Canada, and Alberta is no exception. Immigrants are not a homogenous group, and there are a variety of immigration programs targeted at specific groups of potential newcomers. The economic and labour market outcomes of newcomers admitted under these programs are different, with factors such as language ability, domestic work experience, and the ability of employers to recognize credentials being important to the success of immigrants in the Canadian labour market. Two programs, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), have seen an increase in both the number and proportion of immigrants admitted in recent years, and the evidence to date shows they are performing well economically. The number of immigrants coming to Alberta through the controversial Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has dropped significantly from its peak in 2013, but Alberta still accounts for a disproportionate number of workers admitted under the program. While there are significant concerns about both the treatment of workers under the program and its effect on wage suppression in some industries, there is evidence that a limited TFWP may be beneficial. The final source of potential labour through immigration is foreign students. While there has been a tripling of foreign students across Canada over the last 20 years, Alberta has not experienced the same level of growth. Unfortunately, there is very limited room to increase the overall labour supply in Alberta at the intensive margins. Better addressing credential recognition, both in regulated occupations and the skilled trades, is another way Alberta could better utilize the talent of its current population. This paper discusses the ways of increasing Alberta’s labour force. Increasing Alberta’s labour supply at the extensive margin involves increasing the population, which can be accomplished in three ways: higher birth rates, increased numbers of migrants arriving from other Canadian provinces, and increased immigration. Given these trends, immigration is becoming an increasingly important source of labour force growth throughout Canada, and Alberta is no exception. Immigrants are not a homogenous group, and there are a variety of immigration programs targeted at specific groups of potential newcomers. The economic and labour market outcomes of newcomers admitted under these programs are different, with factors such as language ability, domestic work experience, and the ability of employers to recognize credentials being important to the success of immigrants in the Canadian labour market. Two programs, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), have seen an increase in both the number and proportion of immigrants admitted in recent years, and the evidence to date shows they are performing well economically. The number of immigrants coming to Alberta through the controversial Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has dropped significantly from its peak in 2013, but Alberta still accounts for a disproportionate number of workers admitted under the program. While there are significant concerns about both the treatment of workers under the program and its effect on wage suppression in some industries, there is evidence that a limited TFWP may be beneficial. The final source of potential labour through immigration is foreign students. While there has been a tripling of foreign students across Canada over the last 20 years, Alberta has not experienced the same level of growth. Unfortunately, there is very limited room to increase the overall labour supply in Alberta at the intensive margins. Better addressing credential recognition, both in regulated occupations and the skilled trades, is another way Alberta could better utilize the talent of its current population.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Since the beginning of conflict in Syria, 52, 720 Syrian refugees were admitted to Canada between November 2015 and March 2018. Schools are one of the first and most impactful systems that young refugees enter and the quality of early school experiences significantly influences how successfully and quickly they settle. Yet, there is limited research examining the school experiences of refugee children. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the social, emotional, and academic adjustment experiences of newcomer Syrian refugee children between the ages of five to eight years within Edmonton schools. Following themes emerged during this study: (1) Role of Language in Adjustment, (2) Attitudes and Perspectives Towards Education, (3) Bonds and Relationships, (4) Initial Frustrations, Anxieties, and Fears, (5) Children’s Unique Strategies for Adapting in School, (6) Parental Involvement in the Schooling Process, and (7) Role of Personal Qualities in Adjustment. Since the beginning of conflict in Syria, 52, 720 Syrian refugees were admitted to Canada between November 2015 and March 2018. Schools are one of the first and most impactful systems that young refugees enter and the quality of early school experiences significantly influences how successfully and quickly they settle. Yet, there is limited research examining the school experiences of refugee children. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the social, emotional, and academic adjustment experiences of newcomer Syrian refugee children between the ages of five to eight years within Edmonton schools. Following themes emerged during this study: (1) Role of Language in Adjustment, (2) Attitudes and Perspectives Towards Education, (3) Bonds and Relationships, (4) Initial Frustrations, Anxieties, and Fears, (5) Children’s Unique Strategies for Adapting in School, (6) Parental Involvement in the Schooling Process, and (7) Role of Personal Qualities in Adjustment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Domestic violence is often framed solely as a cultural and marginal problem within our society, despite its far-reaching impact on women… Domestic violence is often framed solely as a cultural and marginal problem within our society, despite its far-reaching impact on women…
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report. Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included. The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis. Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Drawing on in-depth interviews with 13 racialized immigrant women, this research explores experiences of using mental health services in Lethbridge, Alberta. The women’s narratives serve as a thread linking psychiatric, neoliberal, colonial, patriarchal, and other power relations. The treatments focused on the women’s concerns as individualized; the resulting
prescription of antidepressants and psychotherapy required self-colonization to relieve their pain, complicating several women’s experiences of using mental health services. Some women found medical interventions beneficial to their wellbeing, while others resisted psychiatric knowledge at various points because of the embodied suffering they faced, and their reliance on conflicting cultural beliefs and healing systems. By analyzing these women’s experiences, I offer a rethinking of the biomedical conceptualization of mental illness as a natural and universally occurring pathology. Ultimately, I argue that current framings of mental illness obscure the intersectional power relations that played an important role in contributing to these women’s distress. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 13 racialized immigrant women, this research explores experiences of using mental health services in Lethbridge, Alberta. The women’s narratives serve as a thread linking psychiatric, neoliberal, colonial, patriarchal, and other power relations. The treatments focused on the women’s concerns as individualized; the resulting
prescription of antidepressants and psychotherapy required self-colonization to relieve their pain, complicating several women’s experiences of using mental health services. Some women found medical interventions beneficial to their wellbeing, while others resisted psychiatric knowledge at various points because of the embodied suffering they faced, and their reliance on conflicting cultural beliefs and healing systems. By analyzing these women’s experiences, I offer a rethinking of the biomedical conceptualization of mental illness as a natural and universally occurring pathology. Ultimately, I argue that current framings of mental illness obscure the intersectional power relations that played an important role in contributing to these women’s distress.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a racialized immigrant in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Racialized trans or non-binary participants reported alarmingly high levels of discrimination, violence, assault, fear, and negative experiences with the police and legal system. Findings from this research apply to Canada in general. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a racialized immigrant in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Racialized trans or non-binary participants reported alarmingly high levels of discrimination, violence, assault, fear, and negative experiences with the police and legal system. Findings from this research apply to Canada in general.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) refugees face discriminatory and harsh experiences in the refugee claimant and hearing process in Canada. Additionally, SOGIE refugees face higher risks, barriers and vulnerability than some other refugee groups. After Bill C-31 (Protecting Canada’s Immigration Act) was passed in 2012, the Immigrant and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was responsible for determining which SOGIE refugee claims were ‘authentic’ or not, despite little knowledge on the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The IRB recently released guidelines to improve this practice. This policy brief describes the state of SOGIE refugees in Alberta and Canada, challenges the group faces, and the efficacy of the new guidelines for the SOGIE refugee claim process. Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) refugees face discriminatory and harsh experiences in the refugee claimant and hearing process in Canada. Additionally, SOGIE refugees face higher risks, barriers and vulnerability than some other refugee groups. After Bill C-31 (Protecting Canada’s Immigration Act) was passed in 2012, the Immigrant and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was responsible for determining which SOGIE refugee claims were ‘authentic’ or not, despite little knowledge on the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The IRB recently released guidelines to improve this practice. This policy brief describes the state of SOGIE refugees in Alberta and Canada, challenges the group faces, and the efficacy of the new guidelines for the SOGIE refugee claim process.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
