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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Local settlement strategy 2018-2020

The City of Calgary is working with community partners to create a more welcome and inclusive community for immigrants and newcomers who choose Calgary. The City of Calgary is working with community partners to create a more welcome and inclusive community for immigrants and newcomers who choose Calgary.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Where do you come from? Navigating identity formation in Canadian Western African youth in Alberta

Canadian research still tends to group people of African descent as Black without considering the difference in their countries of origins, socio-economic background, values and cultural context. This study examines the experiences of eight second generation youth of Western African descent in two major cities in Alberta as they navigate the identity formation process. Factors that influence their adoption of an identity, and the characteristics and importance of their adopted identity were also investigated. Narratives were gathered through interviews with the youth in Edmonton and Calgary. Experiences that contributed towards their adoption of their identity include parental influence, interaction with members of the Canadian society, and socializing with members of their parent’s cultural community. However, their adopted identities were not static, but fluid in nature leading to a hybridity in their identification. The study also includes implications of the results from the research study for immigrant parents, educators, policy makers, service providers, as well as recommendations for the future research. Canadian research still tends to group people of African descent as Black without considering the difference in their countries of origins, socio-economic background, values and cultural context. This study examines the experiences of eight second generation youth of Western African descent in two major cities in Alberta as they navigate the identity formation process. Factors that influence their adoption of an identity, and the characteristics and importance of their adopted identity were also investigated. Narratives were gathered through interviews with the youth in Edmonton and Calgary. Experiences that contributed towards their adoption of their identity include parental influence, interaction with members of the Canadian society, and socializing with members of their parent’s cultural community. However, their adopted identities were not static, but fluid in nature leading to a hybridity in their identification. The study also includes implications of the results from the research study for immigrant parents, educators, policy makers, service providers, as well as recommendations for the future research.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Red Deer Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Needs Assessment

Red Deer created the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network in late 2015. This needs assessment gathered newcomer demographics in Red Deer, available resources in the area, and how well the needs of the community are being met. Red Deer created the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network in late 2015. This needs assessment gathered newcomer demographics in Red Deer, available resources in the area, and how well the needs of the community are being met.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Interrogating the Impact of Recent Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on Temporary Foreign Workers in Alberta

Following a peak in the number of migrants admitted to Canada via its Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the program underwent significant changes in 2014 and 2015 that will undoubtedly affect the lives of temporary foreign workers in Canada. These changes include a limitation on the length of time temporary foreign workers are allowed to remain in the country, a greater distinction between high- and low-wage workers, and more restricted rights for low-wage workers. So far, the impacts of these recent policy changes on temporary foreign workers in Canada have not been the subject of much research. Thus, we sought to examine the impact of recent policy changes of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on these migrants specifically in Alberta. Findings from the focus groups reveal that the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program policy have created a burden for temporary foreign workers as well as their employers, intensified the exploitation of migrant workers, and contributed to a high level of anxiety and poor mental health status among these workers. This study has two major policy recommendations: (1) grant open work permits to temporary foreign workers, and (2) create pathways to citizenship for low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Alberta. The study also recognizes a need for future action research. Following a peak in the number of migrants admitted to Canada via its Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the program underwent significant changes in 2014 and 2015 that will undoubtedly affect the lives of temporary foreign workers in Canada. These changes include a limitation on the length of time temporary foreign workers are allowed to remain in the country, a greater distinction between high- and low-wage workers, and more restricted rights for low-wage workers. So far, the impacts of these recent policy changes on temporary foreign workers in Canada have not been the subject of much research. Thus, we sought to examine the impact of recent policy changes of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on these migrants specifically in Alberta. Findings from the focus groups reveal that the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program policy have created a burden for temporary foreign workers as well as their employers, intensified the exploitation of migrant workers, and contributed to a high level of anxiety and poor mental health status among these workers. This study has two major policy recommendations: (1) grant open work permits to temporary foreign workers, and (2) create pathways to citizenship for low-skilled temporary foreign workers in Alberta. The study also recognizes a need for future action research.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Migrant workers: precarious and unsupported

Alberta relies on temporary foreign workers far more than any other province. This report documents the result of a survey with front-line workers in settlement and other community organizations who work with newcomers. In Alberta, the survey results show that migrant workers need more support, safety, advocacy, and services. Interim healthcare and an easier pathway for Permanent Residency should also be available for migrant workers. Alberta relies on temporary foreign workers far more than any other province. This report documents the result of a survey with front-line workers in settlement and other community organizations who work with newcomers. In Alberta, the survey results show that migrant workers need more support, safety, advocacy, and services. Interim healthcare and an easier pathway for Permanent Residency should also be available for migrant workers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Migrant Social Workers’ Experiences of Professional Adaptation in Alberta Canada: A Comparative Gender Analysis

There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences. There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Gender, migration, and practices of political participation in Lethbridge

This research explores political participation of immigrant women in Lethbridge. More specifically, research participants identified the factors that affect immigrant women’s practices of political participation in Lethbridge. The analysis draws upon feminist standpoint theory, as well as Sandra Burt’s and Martha Ackelsberg’s conceptual framework on political participation. Fifteen open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with immigrant women who have permanent residency or Canadian citizenship, have been living in Canada for more than three years, and are over nineteen years old. As a result of this research the following factors were revealed that affected immigrant women’s political participation: immigration status, country of origin, time, language, education, economic stability, opportunity, age and membership in organisations and groups. Overall, the research found out that the level of political participation of immigrant women in Lethbridge is low, especially for those coming from developing countries. This research explores political participation of immigrant women in Lethbridge. More specifically, research participants identified the factors that affect immigrant women’s practices of political participation in Lethbridge. The analysis draws upon feminist standpoint theory, as well as Sandra Burt’s and Martha Ackelsberg’s conceptual framework on political participation. Fifteen open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with immigrant women who have permanent residency or Canadian citizenship, have been living in Canada for more than three years, and are over nineteen years old. As a result of this research the following factors were revealed that affected immigrant women’s political participation: immigration status, country of origin, time, language, education, economic stability, opportunity, age and membership in organisations and groups. Overall, the research found out that the level of political participation of immigrant women in Lethbridge is low, especially for those coming from developing countries.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among African immigrants in Alberta, Canada

Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta. Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pre-arrival services for Filipinos in Alberta – Bridging gaps in immigrant services: A Pathways to Prosperity Project

Filipinos have been one of the largest groups of newcomers to Canada since the 1980s. Pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. Both the Canadian and Filipino governments need to increase services to fill gaps and connect pre-arrival services to post-arrival. Filipinos have been one of the largest groups of newcomers to Canada since the 1980s. Pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. Both the Canadian and Filipino governments need to increase services to fill gaps and connect pre-arrival services to post-arrival.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Immigration settlement services and gaps in 8 selected rural communities in Alberta

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.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly