Pathways to Prosperity: Canada

Thursday, November 16 | Time: 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM

1. Faith and Settlement Partnerships: Making Them Work

(In English)

Chair: Rich Janzen, Centre for Community Based Research

This workshop focuses on innovation in the settlement sector through partnerships between faith-based groups and government-funded settlement organizations. These types of partnerships are important as many immigrants of faith turn to faith communities for support upon arrival. The workshop is based on a SSHRC-funded research partnership called Faith and Settlement Partnerships: Setting Immigrants and Canada up for Success. The research includes six case studies of faith and settlement partnerships, and a survey of organizations in
Waterloo, London, Peel and Toronto. The workshop will present key research findings, highlighting what can be done to make effective partnerships in local communities.

• Why Faith and Settlement Partnerships? (Rationale) (Download Presentation)
  Rich Janzen, Centre for Community Based Research
• What Makes Them Work? (Key Findings) (Download Presentation)
  Joanna Ochocka, Centre for Community Based Research
• What Do They Look Like? (Case Studies)
  World Renew Refugee Case Study: Hector Acero Ferrer, Institute for Christian Studies (Download Presentation)
  Interfaith Council Case Study: Subhi Tarim, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (Download Presentation)
• How Can They Work in Your Community? (Workshop Toolkit) (Download Presentation)
  Chris Brnjas, Wilfrid Laurier University

2 Fostering the Resettlement of Refugee Children and Youth in Canada

(In English)

Chair: Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University

Among the nearly 22.5 million refugees around the world, over half are children under 18 years of age (UNHCR, 2017). Similarly, nearly 50% of the Syrian refugees who have resettled in Canada are under 18 (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2017). Thus, better understanding the resettlement and integration experiences of refugee children and youth is vital. In this workshop, presenters will showcase findings from recent research projects examining the settlement and integration experiences of refugee youth. Most of these projects were funded by SSHRC-IRCC targeted grants on Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration. First, Papazian-Zohrabian will discuss findings from a project examining the impact of a school program aimed at increasing Syrian refugee students’ sense of belonging to the school, and their psychological well-being. Second, Stewart and El Chaar will present their research exploring the mental health and well-being of Syrian refugee youth, with a focus on understanding how schools and agencies can better support refugees’ long-term adjustment in Canada. The authors will present a model for creating trauma-sensitive schools and for preparing educators to meet the needs of trauma-affected and vulnerable youth. Third, Omar and colleagues will discuss insights gained into the integration and wellbeing of Syrian newcomer youth from in-depth interviews conducted with 42 mothers of school-aged children. Fourth, Baker will present research findings on the
experiences of racism among a cohort of refugee youth living in Hamilton, Ontario. Innovative practices for fostering the integration of refugee children and youth will be discussed.

• Promoting the Social and Educational Integration of Syrian Refugee Students by Developing Their Sense of Belonging to the School, Their Psychological Well-being and that of Their Families (Download Presentation)
  Garine Papazian-Zohrabian, University of Montreal
• Syrian Youth: A Focus on Settlement, Education, and Mental Health (Download Presentation)
  Jan Stewart and Dania El Chaar, University of Winnipeg
• “It Was Like a Nervous Condition”: Insights into the Integration and Wellbeing of Syrian Newcomer Youth from Research with Mothers (Download Presentation)
  Laila Omar, Neda Maghbouleh, Melissa Milkie, and Ito Peng, University of Toronto
• The New Racism: Examining Refugee Youths’ Experiences of Racial Microaggressions in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Download Presentation)
  James Baker, McMaster University

3. Francophone Immigration ‘On the Ground’: Research, Policy, and Practice for Contemporary Issues Regarding Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities

(In French)

Co-chairs: Suzanne Huot, University of British Columbia and Christophe Traisnel, University of Moncton

This panel will address local practices and policies (provincial, municipal, and community-based) concerning immigration to Francophone minority communities. The issue is important, as it is at the local level and ‘on the ground’ that the great challenges and successes (or failures) of migratory experiences are played out. The panel will seek to propose several perspectives on these issues and to envision the future of Francophone immigration, through presentations from researchers and local policy actors.

• Recommendations for Enhancing Social and Cultural Integration of French-speaking Immigrants and Refugees (Download Presentation)
  Suzanne Huot, University of British Columbia and Luisa Veronis, University of Ottawa
• Francophone Migration and Immigration in the Territories (Download Presentation)
  Christophe Traisnel, University of Moncton
• The Contribution of Francophone Immigrants in the Early Childhood Education Sector (Download Presentation)
  Bonnie Gallant, Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE) Prince Edward Island
• Defining Oneself as Francophone: The Meeting of Newcomers and Established Fransaskois (Download Presentation)
  Jerôme Melançon, Centre canadien de recherche sur les francophonies en milieu minoritaire
• The Réseaux en Immigration Francophone (RIF): Vectors of Change for Francophone Minority Communities 
  Yasmina Boubzari-Kotevski, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada

4. Graduate Student-Faculty Workshop on Migration-Related Research 

(In English)

Chair: Serperi Sevgur, Dalhousie University

This workshop will provide three graduate students with the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance on an unpublished piece of migration-related research. Graduate students who conducted original research on any aspect of migration, settlement and integration in Canada will present their research. After receiving feedback from an expert in the field and following discussions, graduate students will be one step closer to getting their work published in an academic medium.

• Neoliberal Racism and Migration in Canadian Media 
  Hillary Geneau (Student), Dalhousie University and Chedly Belkhodja (Faculty), Concordia University
• Rethinking Inclusive Education: The Challenges of Refugee Students’ Inclusion in a Small Urban Setting (Download Presentation) 
  Keith Power (Student), Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Julie Drolet (Faculty), University of Calgary
• The Impact of Focusing Events: Tracing the Evolution of Immigrant Detention in Canada (Download Presentation)
  Vanessa Wachuku (Student), Ryerson University, and Danielle Gaucher (Faculty), University of Winnipeg

5. Intercultural Competency: Building Your Capacity for a More Vibrant Workplace

(In English)

Co-chairs & Facilitators: Michele Manocchi and Rifat Hussain, London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (Download Presentation)

Cultural diversity is now fully recognized as an asset for organizations and companies. Nonetheless, it can also create misunderstandings and conflict in the workplace. As a participant of this workshop, you will:
– Explore concepts like culture, diversity, and intercultural competence
– Evaluate your own cultural frameworks and learn how assumptions arise and affect your daily interactions
– Identify cultural elements in your workplace that can affect organizations, groups, and individuals
– Improve your knowledge of intercultural competency tools that can be used when you interact with others
– Learn about communication strategies and best practices for culturally diverse workplaces

6. The Participation of Ethnocultural Minorities in the Various Spheres of Collective Life

(In French)

Chair: Solène Lardoux, Université de Montréal

The participation of ethnocultural minorities or immigrants in various spheres of collective life begins, gets intensified, succeeds (or is slowed down or even hindered), through a process during which their social, economic and other characteristics are evolving as the societal context evolves. What factors promote individual engagement and successful participation? How do individuals’ life trajectories impact their engagement? What are the societal contexts that facilitate, encourage, or discourage these individuals’ engagement? Which individual and societal factors must exist to ensure successful participation?

• Measuring Ethnocultural Minority Quebeckers’ Participation in the Various Spheres of Collective Life
  Elke Laur, Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Visible Minority Sense of Belonging: Insights on the Provincial Variations (Download Presentation)
  Antoine Bilodeau, Concordia University
• Refugee and Immigrant Social Participation in Light of Intercultural Relations in Local Communities (Download Presentation)
  Michèle Vatz Laaroussi, University of Sherbrooke
• What is the Impact of Temporality on Immigrant Participation: The Case of Skilled Temporary Workers in the Mile End
  Gabrielle Désilets, Institut National de Recherche Scientifique – Centre for Urbanization, Culture and Society (INRS-UCS)
• Dimensions of Ethnocultural Minority Participation: Questions Proposed for the Biographical Questionnaire of Future Surveys (Download Presentation)
  Solène Lardoux, University of Montréal

7. Refugee Reception, Resettlement, Integration and Retention in Secondary and Rural Communities

(In English)

Chair: Victoria Esses, Western University

This workshop will explore key issues related to refugee reception, resettlement, integration and retention in secondary and rural communities. The majority of these projects were funded by SSHRC-IRCC targeted grants on Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration. First, Belkhodja and Vatz-Laaroussi will discuss recent findings from a project on welcoming and integrating Syrian refugees in Moncton, New Brunswick and Sherbrooke, Quebec. Second, Fang and colleagues will present research on factors influencing Syrian refugees’ intention to stay in or leave the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, including an analysis of factors that could impact the long-term retention of Syrian refugees in the province. Third, Kyriakides will present findings from a recent project on the rural resettlement of Privately Sponsored Syrian Refugees, examining how pre-arrival contact between ‘sponsors’ and ‘sponsored’ has a significant impact on post-arrival resettlement, particularly on the restoration of social trust. Fourth, Cullen and Walton-Roberts will present research examining the role of Local Immigration Partnerships in the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Initiative through a case study of Waterloo Region, Ontario. Last, Newbold and colleagues will explore the concept of disability amongst the immigrant population, along with implications for health and social inclusion within secondary communities. A discussion will focus on identifying promising strategies for fostering refugee resettlement and retention in secondary and rural communities.

• Welcoming and Integrating Syrian Refugees in New Destinations: The Cases of Moncton, New Brunswick and Sherbrooke, Quebec (Download Presentation) 
  Chedly Belkhodja, Concordia University and Michèle Vatz-Laaroussi, University of Sherbrooke
• Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration in Newfoundland and Labrador (Download Presentation) 
  Tony Fang, Halina Sapeha, Opeyemi Jaunty-Aidamenbor, and Kerri Neil, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• (Mis)Trusted Contact: The Impact of Pre-Arrival Sharing on Refugee-Host Relations 
  Christopher Kyriakides, York University
• Syrian Refugee Resettlement and Second Tier-Cities: A Case Study of Local Immigration Partnerships from Waterloo, Ontario (Download Presentation) 
  Blair Cullen, Wilfrid Laurier University/University of Waterloo and Margaret Walton-Roberts, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Immigration, Health and Disability: Perceptions and Understanding (Download Presentation) 
  Bruce Newbold, Stine Hansen, and Rob Wilton, McMaster University

8. Telling Our Stories: Arts-based and Community-led Strategies for Responding to Systemic Racism While Raising Awareness About Violence Against Women

(In English)

Chair: Sajedeh Zahraei, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Mainstream discourses on violence against women in newcomer communities rely on racist stereotypes that stigmatize newcomer cultures and religions as the source of violence, rather than acknowledging that violence occurs across all cultures, and is rooted in patriarchy. We have challenged this form of racism by developing a graphic novel that centers the voices of immigrant women survivors of violence, and by training peer champions from immigrant communities to host innovative educational events. In this workshop, we will discuss how these creative approaches can be used to engage community and promote critical policy-level discussion using accessible language and the arts.

• Using a Community-based Arts Project to Change Perceptions of Sexual Violence (Download Presentation) 
  Krittika Ghosh and Siham Chakrouni, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
• Using a Peer Champion Model to Engage with Community (Download Presentation) 
  Sidrah Maysoon Ahmad, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

9. Welcoming Migrants to Canadian Cities: New Challenges and Innovative Practices in Social Work

(In French)

Co-chairs: Sonia Ben Soltane, McGill University and University of Ottawa and Stéphanie Garneau, University of Ottawa

The number of newcomers, economic migrants, and refugees in Canadian cities is increasing. The diversity of origins, migration journeys, and migrant needs, means that the way to welcome and integrate them requires continuous reactivity and innovation. Several “crises” over the past few years have shown that integration policy and practice focusing on economic integration faces limits depending on immigration category (for example, asylum-seekers, refugees, skilled workers, and temporary workers), but also according to specific moments in their life trajectory (education/training, marriage, birth and parenthood, ageing, bereavement). This workshop presents recent, innovative research about new challenges faced by migrants in integrating and socializing. We propose innovative intervention practices to meet these challenges.

• Between Integration Issues and Productive Wealth: Getting Immigration (and Migrants) out of this False Dichotomy 
  Stéphanie Garneau, University of Ottawa
• The Unsettling Exclusion of Precarious Status Migrants from Settlement Services: Implications for Employment 
  Jill Hanley, McGill University
• Urban Trajectories of North African Immigrants in Montreal and Professional Integration when Retired 
  Selma Tannouche Bennani, Sherbrooke University
• Domestic Violence against Muslim Women in Montreal: Innovative Solutions (Download Presentation) 
  Rana Ahmad, Amal Centre for Women, Montreal
• Intervening with Visible Minority Immigrants: The Need for an Intersectional Approach 
  Sonia Ben Soltane, McGill University and University of Ottawa

Thursday, November 16 | Time: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

1. Anti-racism and Diversity Public Awareness Campaigns: Do They Work?

(In English)

Chair: Olga Shcherbyna, Surrey Local Immigration Partnership

Over the last several years, Canada witnessed dramatic events taking place in the US, Europe and even in our home country. Horrific attack on religious groups in Quebec this year showed that Canada is not immune to extremism and hate crimes. Racism and xenophobia are on the rise worldwide, which prompted many local activist groups, municipalities and Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) to step in by developing anti-racism/myth busting campaigns. This session will provide an opportunity to learn about four such campaigns developed by LIPs, led by municipalities. We will brainstorm the pros and cons of developing anti-racism vs. celebrating diversity public awareness campaigns. In addition, we will discuss the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of such campaigns, which requires a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to campaign development.

• Toronto for All (Download Presentation) 
  Nicole Watson, City of Toronto Newcomer Office
• Difficult Conversations about Racism 
  Roberto Montiel, Halifax Local Immigration Partnership
• We Are Surrey (Download Presentation) 
  Olga Shcherbyna, Surrey Local Immigration Partnership
• Hamilton for All (Download Presentation) 
  Nicole Longstaff, Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council
• Best Practice Research on Public Awareness Campaign Effectiveness, County of Lambton (Download Presentation) 
  Aruba Mahmud, Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership

2. At the Crossroads of a New Frontier: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Economic Integration of Canada’s Immigrant Population

(In English)

Co-chairs: Megan MacCormac and Katherine MacCormac, Western University

This workshop examines both historical and contemporary issues concerning the economic integration of newly arrived immigrants through the lens of social mobility. Specific issues to be considered include the influence of family and kin networks on participation in the Canadian labour market and the role of education and the state in providing opportunities for immigrants to equally participate in Canada’s economic vitality. The goal of the workshop is to explore future policy and educational practice innovations aimed at improving access to the
Canadian labour market for Canada’s immigrant population through greater consideration of their unique social and economic needs.

• Language, Identity, and the Commodification of Official Bilingualism in Canada: Towards a Greater Inclusion of the Identities and Linguistic Capital of Multilingual Immigrant Students (Download Presentation) 
  Katherine MacCormac, Western University
• Does the ‘Healthy Immigrant Effect’ Extend to Oral Health in Ontario, Canada? (Download Presentation) 
  Yuji Sano, Western University
• The Better Measure of Inequality? An Examination of Differences in Income and Net-worth Outcomes of Immigrant Families (Download Presentation) 
  Cavita D. Meetun, Western University
• The Shift to Three-Dimensional Thinking of the Family: Conceptualizing the Importance of Whole-Family Methodology to Examine Social Mobility Patterns of Canada’s Immigrant Population
  Megan MacCormac, Western University

3. Focusing on Mentorship to Foster the Economic Integration of Immigrants

(In French)

Chair: Valérie Sniadoch, Valerie Sniadoch Consulting

Individual or group mentorship in companies or employment is one of the best ways to foster immigrant integration. Mentorship ensures the training of a new generation and the survival of assets in all sectors, particularly in minority Francophone communities. This workshop will discuss the importance of reinforcing mentorship practices to foster quick and easy newcomer integration when newcomers are searching for employment, want to start a company, or simply want to engage actively in their host community. The workshop will focus on 1) contemporary experiences of mentorship in Canada; 2) factors for success; and 3) innovative practices for better economic integration of Francophone immigrants.

• Mentorship in the Workplace: An Efficient Integration Practice (Download Presentation) 
  Aline Ayoub, Aline Ayoub HR Consulting
• Mentorship for Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Download Presentation) 
  Christian Fais, Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities and RDÉE Canada
• Coaching the Immigrant Entrepreneur: Approach 360 for Successful Integration (Download Presentation) 
  André Menand, SAJE Coach for Entrepreneurs
• Knowledge Sharing in a Knowledge Economy (Download Presentation) 
  Marc Lijour, Savoir-faire Linux
• Informal Mentorship between Old and New International Francophone Students in Moncton: A Way to Overcome Barriers in the Labour Market (Download Presentation) 
  Leyla Sall, Moncton University

4. From Simple to Sophisticated: The Role of Technology in Settlement

(In English)

Chair: Julia Mais, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

This workshop will examine how technology, from simple email communications to sophisticated online platforms, can support the social and economic integration of newcomers to Canada. The workshop sheds light on how different mediums can be effective (or not) at various points in the migration journey, from pre-arrival to citizenship. Presenters will examine the different ways that using technology can engage relevant stake-holders, facilitate relationship-building, fill information needs, complement traditional service-delivery methods and cultivate a sense of belonging in Canadian society.

• Online Service Delivery: The New Way to Conduct Business in the Settlement Sector (Download Presentation)
  Tania Amaral, Centre for Education and Training
• Digital Migration: Lessons from Canadian Orientation Abroad’s Refugee Youth and Planning for Canada Programs and the Front Lines of Online Pre-arrival Orientation (Download Presentation)
  Shaheera Rahin and Nader Kaddour, International Organization for Migration
• Facilitating Youth Citizenship through Technology: A Case Study of CitizenshipCounts.ca (Download Presentation)
  Julia Mais, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
• Leveraging the Success of Online Communities to Enhance the Settlement Experience for All Stakeholders (Service Providers, Pre-Arrivals and Newcomers) — Best Practices from Tutela.ca, the Settlement Language Training Community (Download Presentation)
  Michael Gilbert and Nelson Ko, Synergiq Solutions

5. Naming and Situating Linguistic Minorities: The Role of Researchers on Francophone Immigration

(In French)

Chair: Suzanne Huot, University of British Columbia

The final report from the Research meeting on Francophone Immigration to Canadian Francophone Minority Communities (hosted in 2016 and funded by IRCC) indicates that researchers must renew their perspectives on issues related to Francophone immigration to improve and expand their knowledge of this subject. The goal of this panel is to present the findings from recent studies that adopt critical and novel perspectives in the field. The themes shared will serve to stimulate a dialogue on innovation in research in Francophone immigration.

• Immigration as a Development Tool for Francophone Minority Communities: Objective or Ideal? (Download Presentation)
  Nicolas Garant, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Negotiation of Spaces of Participation and Identities by French-speaking Immigrants in Minority Contexts (Download Presentation)
  Suzanne Huot, University of British Columbia and Luisa Veronis, University of Ottawa
• The Settlement Experience of Syrian Refugees in Greater Moncton 
  Aïcha Benimmas and Lamine Kamano, University of Moncton
• The Important Contribution of Immigrants to the Cultural Vitality of Francophone Minority Communities 
  Aurélie Lacassagne, Laurentian University
• Implications of Vocabulary for Identity in a Minority Context (Download Presentation)
  Carlo Lavoie, University of Prince Edward Island

6. Nascent Sanctuary City-Hall Actions: Activism Within Institutional Settings 

(In English)

Chair: Michele Manocchi, Ryerson University

With federal pressure against U.S. sanctuary cities, Canadian counterparts receive renewed activist, scholarly, and policy attention. Yet, the Canadian context makes for an unreliable comparison due to differing U.S.-Canada federal-state/provincial-municipal relations. Nevertheless, new efforts to enact sanctuary city policies emerged in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Vancouver and Victoria. Speaking from London and Victoria activist experiences, our workshop discusses the promises and challenges of working within local city hall efforts striving to become sanctuary cities. Speakers address dilemmas concerning municipal governmental and jurisdictional limitations in key service provision, ensuring indigenous involvement, promoting intersectionality, and maintaining grassroots input within bureaucratic processes.

• Sanctuary City Policy: Conceptualization, Implementation and Identification of Local Responsibility (Download Presentation)
  Sofija Vrbaski, University of Victoria and Michele Manocchi, Ryerson University
• Delegated Private Sovereignty within Sanctuary Spaces: Local Immigration Policy in Canadian Cities and Law (Download Presentation)
  sasha kovalchuk, McMaster University and Sharmarke Dubow, Refugees Welcome – Lkwungen Territory

7. Neighborhood-based Community Development to Enhance Housing Support for Syrian Refugees

(In English)

Chair: Jason Brown, Western University

“Hello Neighbour” was a collaboration between Neighborhood Resource Centres in London, Ontario, to: (a) connect Syrian refugees with one another as well as local community and government resources, and (b) increase their awareness of housing rights and responsibilities. Eight-month funding was provided to the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, in partnership with Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre, LUSO Community Services and Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre. Families were identified through the Settlement Services of the agency staff and their contacts throughout the city, and were invited to two neighbourhood events in their areas for a total of 18 events. The presentations will reflect upon both the successes and challenges faced in the integration of newcomers from different perspectives.

• Settlement of Newcomers through a Community Development Approach (Download Presentation)
  Nancy Needham, South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
• Trust Building and Outreach (Download Presentation)
  Mohamed Al-Adeimi, South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
  
• Partner Perspective – Advisory Committee Member  (Download Presentation)
  Chris Green, City of London
• Evaluation of Hello Neighbour, London from an Academic Perspective (Download Presentation)
  Jennifer Perkins, Western University

8. The Role of the Settlement Sector, Community Members, and Local Immigration Partnerships in the Resettlement of Syrian Refugees 

Chair: Laurel Madro, Bow Valley College

This workshop will present findings from four recent research projects designed to examine challenges, promising practices, and key lessons learned about the resettlement of Syrian refugees. All of these projects were funded by SSHRC-IRCC targeted grants on Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration. First, Hamilton and Esses will present research that examines the information needs of recently arrived Syrian refugees and how to best fill these needs. Second, Rose will present findings from a project on finding housing for Syrian refugees. Based on a series of interviews with Resettlement Assistance Program providers in 13 cities, the authors will discuss housing challenges, successful initiatives and key lessons learned. Third, Wayland and Dam will present findings from a comparative examination of Syrian refugee resettlement as it pertains to innovative local resettlement policy in the form of Local Immigration Partnerships. Finally, Janzen and Ochocka will use a systems change framework to discuss main lessons from Waterloo Region’s response to the Syrian refugee influx. Discussion will focus on identifying innovative practices for fostering the resettlement of Syrian refugees.

• The Provision of Information to Facilitate the Settlement and Integration of Syrian Refugees in Canada (Download Presentation)
  Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University, Victoria Esses, Western University, Mohammed El Hazzouri, Mount Royal University, Alina Sutter and Ajit Pyati, Western University
• Finding Housing for the Syrian Refugee Newcomers in Canadian Cities: Challenges, Tactics, Initiatives and Lessons Learned (Download Presentation)
  Damaris Rose, Institut national de la recherche scientifique and Alexandra Charette, University of Ottawa
• Local Responses to Syrian Refugee Resettlement: A Comparison of Three Local Immigration Partnerships (Download Presentation)
  Sarah Wayland, City of Hamilton and Huyen Dam, McMaster University
• The Impact of the Syrian Influx on Local Systems of Support: Disruption Leading to Innovation (Download Presentation)
  Rich Janzen and Joanna Ochocka, Centre for Community Based Research and Renison University College

9. Welcoming and Integrating English-Speaking Immigrants and Refugees When They Arrive in Quebec

(In French and English)

Chair: Chedly Belkhodja, Concordia University

This workshop will discuss recent research focusing on refugees and immigrants settling in various cities in Quebec and who, besides their mother tongue, speak English upon their arrival. We will take stock of the progress in this sector, both in terms of immigrants and organizational practices, thanks to studies subsidized by IRCC and with the participation of Quebec partners. We will discuss integration trajectories and socio-professional integration of refugees and immigrants in Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Quebec City. We will particularly focus on good practices implemented by settlement and integration organizations of the Anglophone community; on consultation and dialogue between Anglophone and Francophone community organizations and institutions; as well as differences according to pre-existing networks and transforming networks among privately-sponsored refugees, government-sponsored refugees, and economic immigrants. In all these cases, we will attempt to understand the social, economic, institutional and political dimensions fostering successful integration of refugees and immigrants in Quebec cities.

• Settlement and Integration of Refugees with English as their FOLS in the City of Sherbrooke: The Role Played by Networks and the Location of Anglophone and Francophone Communities (Download Presentation)
  Claude Charpentier and Stefanie Fournier, Bishop’s University, in collaboration with Shannon Lemay, University of Sherbrooke and Javorka Sarenac, University of Sherbrooke, UQAM
• Privately-Sponsored Refugees with English as their FOLS: Trajectories, Welcoming, Integration and Bilingualism in Montreal (Download Presentation)
  Michèle Vatz Laaroussi, University of Sherbrooke, in collaboration with Jade Fauteux, University of Sherbrooke, Zahia Agsous and Javorka Sarenac, University of Sherbrooke, UQAM, and Chedly Belkhodja, Concordia University
• Employment Integration of English-Speaking Immigrants in Quebec – Individual Experiences and Collective Issues (Download Presentation)
  Nicole Gallant, INRS-Urbanisation Culture Société, and Alexandra Martin, University of Montréal, with the collaboration of Stéphanie Arsenault, Laval University, Patricia Lamarre, Marie-Odile Magnan and Deirdre Meintel, University of Montréal, Lorraine O’Donnell, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (Quescren), Michel Racine, Laval University, and Luisa Veronis, University of Ottawa

Discussant: Elke Laur, Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion