Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: Social Issues: Immigration

  • Early Cultural and Economic Adaptation Newcomers

    Abstract:

    Using ethnographic data, this study reports on the early sociocultural and economic experiences of the Bangladesh immigrant and non-immigrant families living in the Michener Park area in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Research findings show that newcomers experienced a wide range of social and economic constraints during their initial stage of sociocultural and economic adaptation to life in Edmonton. Lack of English language proficiency, Canadian job experience, or lack of Canadian education and training facilities, and nature of residency status in Canada led these newcomers to experience economic hardship in the earliest months of their new life in Canada. The aim of this research, therefore, was to examine: (a) why do these people come to Canada and what social and economic experiences have they had while living in Edmonton? (b) What barriers do they encounter that prevent them from obtaining their preferred job, how does this affect their household income and how do they manage to survive? This paper summarizes the responses of the newcomers who agreed to participate in this research project. The paper concludes with policy recommendations made by participants that could help newcomers overcome existing job barriers for the immigrant and non-immigrant families living in Edmonton.

    Key Words: Economic hardship, Newcomers, job barriers, language proficiency, job experiences, references

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/Early-Cultural-and-Economic-Adaptation-Newcomers.pdf

  • fACT Sheet — Immigrant Integration Barriers (October 2013)

    Immigrants face many barriers to integration when settling in new communities. This fact sheet provides information and statistics on this topic at the national, provincial and local levels.

    ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT sheet_Immigrant Integration Barriers.pdf

  • 2011 Rights Review

     

    Title:Rights in review
    Corporate Author: Canadian Council for Refugees
    Subject:Immigration – refugees
    Publisher:Canadian Council for Refugees
    Place of Publication:Montréal
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    The Canadian Council for Refugees believes in treating refugees and immigrants fairly and honourably. Decisions made need to be fully independent. And our policies and practices need to be affordable – for refugees and immigrants, and for Canadians. This document measures how Canada is meeting the needs of refugees.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/2011 rights_review.pdf

  • 2011 Rebuilding Professional Lives

     

    Title:Rebuilding professional lives: immigrant professionals working in the Ontario settlement sector.
    Author(s):Türegün, Adnan
    Subject:Immigration – employment, foreign qualifications
    Publisher:CERIS – The Ontario Metropolis Centre
    Place of Publication:Toronto
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    This study looks at the reality of a particular group of foreign-born and -trained professionals in Ontario. These are the professionals who did not get to practise their respective professions after immigration but acquired a new profession in the form of settlement work. The study detects their pre-immigration education and work history, the reasons they left their countries of origin or permanent residence for Canada, the expectations they had, the choices they made about pursuing professional practice, the efforts they put towards that or some alternative goal, and their eventual professional reconstitution as settlement workers.

    Language:English
     
    Material Type:Article

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/2011 rebuilding_professional_lives.pdf

  • 2011 Alberta Immigration Progress

    Title:Alberta immigration progress report 2011
    Corporate Author: Government of Alberta
    Subject:Immigration – general
    Publisher:Government of Alberta
    Place of Publication:Edmonton
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    In October 2005, the Alberta government announced Supporting Immigrants and Immigration to Alberta (SIIA), an immigration policy for the province. The policy outlines a strategic framework for a more co-ordinated approach across ministries to address the needs of Alberta’s immigrant population.
    Alberta’s approach to immigration addresses the attraction and retention of immigrants. The GoA recognizes progress in both areas is essential to realize the vision for immigration outlined in SIIA:
    In meeting the goals of SIIA, activities are being pursued across four strategic directions: (1) Welcoming communities, (2) Attracting immigrants to Alberta, (3) Living in Alberta, (4) Working in Alberta.
    This report highlights key achievements and progress under the four strategic directions from the time of SIIA’s implementation in October 2005 to December 2010. The report also highlights recent achievements and progress on TFW matters.

    Language:English
     Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/2011 alberta_immigration_progress_2011.pdf

  • 2010 Settlement of Newcomers

    Title:Settlement of Newcomers to Canada
    Corporate Author: Canadian Association of Social Workers
    Citation:Canadian Social Work Vol 12 (1) Fall 2010
    Subject:Immigration – resettlement
    Publisher:Canadian Association of Social Workers
    Place of Publication:Ottawa
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) is pleased to publish a special issue on policy and settlement practice with immigrants and refugees in the Canadian Social Work (CSW) journal.
    This collection of articles will raise awareness—within the social work profession, contribute to knowledge and skills for practice, and promote the roles and functions of social work among the policy makers and practitioners in the field of immigrant and refugee settlement.

    Language:English
     Material Type:Journal

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/2010 settlement_of_newcomers.pdf