Pathways to Prosperity 2024 National Conference: Poster Presentations l Conférence nationale 2024 de Voies vers la prospérité : Présentations par affiches
- Khalid Al Hariri – Association for New Canadians
Excel in Rural Newfoundland and Labrador
This poster presentation explores how the shrinking and aging population in rural Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has created an urgent need to fill employment gaps. Faced with these shortages, some businesses risked ceasing operations. Employment Services took measures to connect newcomers with employment opportunities in rural areas and has designed inclusive programming to support their integration. The inclusive programming covers resume and interview preparation, workplace expectations, safety, workplace language and work-related documents. Through job maintenance and collaboration with business and community stakeholders, the Association for New Canadians continues to support newcomers as they settle and work in rural NL, making this a successful venture.
- Christine Alvarez, Julekha Nusrat, & Solmaz Ziaabadimiyanji – Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
Empowering Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs: Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes
Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in driving economic growth in Canada and serves as an important pathway for socio-economic integration for immigrants. As the entrepreneurial landscape evolves, immigrant women entrepreneurs face unique challenges and opportunities in establishing successful businesses. ISANS’ Immigrant Women Entrepreneurship Network (IWEN) is committed to supporting these women in overcoming obstacles and empowering them to achieve their full potential. Furthermore, IWEN emphasizes the importance of amplifying their voices and celebrating their achievements and engaging and educating key ecosystem stakeholders, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more inclusive environment that meets the specific needs of immigrant women entrepreneurs.
- Ayesha Bhikha & Cindy Taylor – Achēv
Driving Economic Integration Through the Innovations in FinTech Program for Internationally Trained Professionals
This poster highlights the Innovations in FinTech program, designed to promote the economic integration of internationally trained professionals (ITPs) from the finance and technology sectors into Ontario’s rapidly growing FinTech industry. Through tailored pathways, the program empowers new immigrants to secure sustainable livelihoods within the evolving labour market. Key focus areas of this presentation will cover workforce integration, outlining strategies to help ITPs secure employment in FinTech, and upskilling and reskilling initiatives aimed at addressing skill gaps, including digital literacy, data analytics, and regulatory compliance—critical to success in Ontario’s FinTech landscape. This poster will illustrate how these targeted approaches can effectively support ITPs in transitioning into meaningful roles within the FinTech sector, contributing to the province’s innovation ecosystem.
- Valeria Castellanos – MANSO & Gelrene Sanfuego – SAISIA
This Is Me: Lived Experiences and Positive Impact of Newcomers
Explores the diverse journeys of individuals who have settled in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Through personal stories, the poster highlights the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new culture and environment, and building a sense of belonging. These narratives reveal both the systemic barriers newcomers face and their resilience in overcoming them. The poster aims to foster understanding and support for newcomers, contributing to more inclusive communities and underscoring the importance of newcomers’ voices. These stories also provide a glimpse of the profoundly positive impact that newcomers have in their communities, be it socially, economically, or culturally.
- Laura Celeste – Pairity
Modelling Ethical & Data-Driven Refugee Claimant Distribution for Canada: Adapting Lessons from Pairity’s Global Refugee Matching Projects
Refugee claimant concentration in major cities challenges all levels of government. Policymakers see redistribution as one solution. Pairity provides co-designed, data-driven redistribution solutions, using preference-matching algorithms. Tested in the United States and Europe, our interventions show above-average integration outcomes and programme satisfaction. They are adaptable to different contexts, consent-based, scalable, transparent, and cost-effective, with built-in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning frameworks. We showcase global lessons from Pairity’s data and community-driven algorithms matching refugees with sponsors, services, and housing. These inform our Canadian redistribution model to improve intergovernmental cooperation, claimant self-sufficiency, and receiving community dividends.
- Natasha Damiano – University of British Columbia, Esra Ari – Mount Royal University, & Özlem Atar – Queen’s University
A Collective Autoethnography of Post-Migration Alienation: Analyzing the Everyday Experience of Being and Becoming Citizens
Our project highlights the need for dialogue that foregrounds immigrants’ voices to create equitable, innovative, and continuing learning pathways to citizenship. The poster presents our collective autoethnographic journey as female scholars with mixed settler-migrant backgrounds attempting to think through the blurred boundaries of citizenship in everyday social life (beyond work and education). The notions of “social membership” (Carens 2013) and “performative citizenship” (Isin 2017) illuminate how formal membership (“citizenship”) can obscure alienation and challenge our belonging. By using narrative and the arts, we collaboratively make sense of being and becoming citizens, simultaneously contesting narrow definitions and claiming an expanded citizenship.
- Maggie Fong, Amy Liu, & Bryan Lung – Western University, Ibrahim Alayche, Shahab Sayfi, & Ryan Yuhi Kirenga – University of Ottawa, Marie Hélène Chomienne – Montfort Hospital, Ammar Saad – University of Ottawa, Jean Grenier – Montfort Hospital, Azaad Kassam – University of Ottawa, Rukhsana Ahmed – University of Albany, & Kevin Pottie – Western University & Montfort Hospital
From Struggle to Strength in African and Middle Eastern Newcomers’ Integration Stories to Canada: A Participatory Health Equity Research Study
Newcomers (immigrants, refugees, international students) face many personal, gender, cultural, environmental and health and social system barriers. This participatory research explored the lived experiences of African and Middle Eastern youth integrating in Ontario. An understanding of newcomer integration challenges, successes and social justice issues can inform health equity and social services. Community building, friendships, and local services emerged as key elements for future immigrant service research. Utilizing a participatory health research approach allowed us to respond to the call for social justice-oriented research that helps to generate scientific knowledge for promoting culturally adaptive health care and access for marginalized populations.
- Daljit Gill-Badesha – DGB Consulting Group
What’s at Stake and What’s at Play? The Unspoken Realities of Power Dynamics in Collaboration
While funders and government bodies increasingly expect nonprofits to collaborate to reduce organizational silos and duplication, the issues of power dynamics that occur in these spaces are often unaddressed. This poster will illuminate how frontline managers experienced power dynamics in a settlement sector project and how abuses of power were managed and mitigated so that relational, meaningful and strategic collaboration could occur. The poster will illustrate the different ways differently sized and resourced organizations can indeed work together and provide tactical steps in collaboration that move practitioners from conflict to collaboration, resulting in policy changes benefitting the communities served.
- Kingsley Ivande & Nigel Lou – University of Victoria
Integrating and Retaining ESL Immigrant Students in Canada: The Role of the Synergistic Language Mindset, Language Anxiety, and Acculturation
Canada’s economic and population stability depend on immigration, making the retention of high-skilled immigrants crucial. Adaptation, influenced by linguistic acculturation, is vital in this regard as many immigrants use English or French as an additional language. This study introduces the “synergistic language mindset,” which combines a growth mindset with positive reframing of stress. We examined its effect on 94 ESL (English as 2nd/Additional Language) immigrant students’ retention in Canada via its influence on language anxiety, engagement, and adaptation. Findings show that the synergistic language mindset decreases language anxiety, and boosts language engagement and adaptation, leading to a stronger intention to stay. Insights support interventions based on principles of the synergistic language mindsets.
- Samantha Jackson & Suzanne Huot – University of British Columbia
Addressing Remote Work Challenges Faced by Newcomers to Canada
While remote/hybrid work increases flexibility for workers, it also brings challenges. Some difficulties can impact newcomers more than locals while others may be unique to the immigrant experience. We explored issues faced by newcomers to Canada who work remotely. We interviewed 21 newcomers residing in Metro Vancouver, the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. Applying reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three key barriers with respect to 1) occupational flexibility (e.g., work-life balance), 2) socialisation/belonging (e.g., understanding Canadian workplace norms), and 3) labour market value (e.g., feeling undervalued in the Canadian job market). We share recommendations based on how participants described mitigating these challenges.
- Sonja Johnson & Shobana Thangavadivel – Achēv, & Imran Mouna – InStage
AI-Powered Simulations: Enhancing Skills and Opportunities for Internationally Trained Professionals/Skilled Newcomers
In today’s tech-driven world, Automated Assistants are revolutionizing productivity and work-life balance. This poster highlights the partnership between Achēv, a leading employment service provider and InStage, a leader in simulation technology, showcasing how technology enhances workforce development. Together, they demonstrate how digital tools can streamline operations and augment human potential. Through Achēv’s Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) loan program, skilled newcomers can upgrade their qualifications, pursue further education, and gain the credentials needed to succeed in their professions. The poster offers insights into how skilled newcomers can leverage technology to improve job readiness and achieve meaningful, fulfilling careers.
- Tiffany Kearns & Jo-Ann Dykstra – School District 43
Photovoice: A Tool For Empowerment
Photovoice has been used as a participatory research method to empower participants through photographic images and reflections. Our poster explores past uses of photovoice with marginalized groups to give voice and legitimacy to their lived experiences. It explores how this technique could be used in an Adult EAL setting with newcomers to encourage them during the critical time of rebuilding their identities while settling in Canada.
- Anita Lal – Poetic Justice Foundation, Daljit Gill-Badesha – South Asian Community Hub, Gary Thandi – Moving Forward Family Services, & Kiran Malli – Seva Foundation
Applying a Holistic and Collective Lens to Working With South Asian Communities
The poster showcases the collaborative power of nonprofits to harness their organizational and relational strengths and capacities to bridge systemic gaps when serving the South Asian communities. Service integration examples showcase the integrative power of coordination and collaboration to improve referral pathways, increase service efficiency, and establish trust and relationships between organizations. The wraparound approach supports South Asian individuals and extended family members, addressing issues they may be impacted by, such as poverty, gender-based violence, racism, substance use, mental health, intergenerational trauma as well as caste-based oppression. The work focuses on individual and systemic integration to benefit the clients served.
- Pascale Latulippe – Goss Gilroy Inc.
Study on the Experience of Black Internationally Trained Professionals in the Foreign Credential Recognition Process
This poster presents a summary of the findings of a study that sought to better understand the experiences, challenges/barriers, and needs of Black internationally trained professionals (ITPs) in relation to the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) process. The study included a literature review on FCR challenges, and interviews and discussion groups with diverse Black ITPs across Canada trained in different regulated professions and at different stages in the FCR process. The findings of the study should be of interest to immigrant service providers, professional regulatory bodies, policymakers, and anyone interested in supporting a better FCR process for Black ITPs in Canada.
- Barbara Lee, Choi Shan Ng, Miu Yan, & Mooly Wong – University of British Columbia
Children Facilitate Social Integration: Lessons Learned from a Survey of Hongkongers Recently Arrived in Canada
The 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement led to a massive influx of Hongkongers to Canada. We conducted an online survey to explore how children make substantial impacts on the settlement and integration process of families of this newly arrived group. The results of the 660 respondents indicate that when compared with their counterparts who have no children, those who came with children exhibited statistically significant positive differences in migration preparation, participation in social activities, and sense of belonging to Canada. These findings may inform advocacy work and offer insights into potential social system adjustments to respond to the needs of this unique community and subsequently facilitate more successful integration.
- Nigel Mantou Lou – University of Victoria
Teaching Psychology of Migration With Local Partnerships
With the growing number of immigrants, refugees, and international students, it is crucial to provide university students with learning opportunities that embrace diverse migrant experiences. This poster presents how the intra-disciplinary nature of the psychology of migration enhances knowledge integration across psychology subdisciplines. I illustrate how community-engaged learning and local partnerships enrich students’ experiential learning. These collaborations offer hands-on experiences, deepen understanding, and foster social responsibility. Partnering with local organizations provides valuable resources and practical insights, allowing students to observe the real-world impact of their studies. Additionally, these partnerships facilitate professional networking and career development, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that extends beyond the classroom and supports local communities.
- Ayshan Mammadzada – University of Ottawa, Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership & Ottawa Neighbourhood Scientific Research Solutions
Addressing Barriers to Skilled Immigrant Integration in Canada: From Geographical and Occupational Mobility to Sustainable Livelihoods
This study examines the systemic barriers affecting skilled immigrants in Canada, focusing on geographical and occupational mobility challenges in the context of post-pandemic uncertainties. Using the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA as a case study, the research investigates how social, economic, and political factors influence immigrants’ integration experiences and decisions regarding retention or onward migration. It analyzes the gap between pre-migration expectations and post-arrival realities, exploring issues such as credential recognition, labor market barriers, and emerging socio-economic pressures. The study aims to inform strategies for enhancing labor market integration and maintaining Canada’s attractiveness as a destination for skilled migrants.
- Michaela Mayer & Meseret Haileyesus – Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment
Economic Empowerment of Newcomer Women
The poster will highlight innovative practices for empowering immigrant/newcomer/refugee women facing economic abuse. The practices address financial vulnerabilities, promote economic independence, and enhance overall well-being. The promising practices include insights into culturally sensitive interventions, financial literacy programs, screening tools, multilingual fact sheets, and a mobile app. The poster will foster a supportive environment for immigrant women, promoting economic resilience, and advancing inclusive practices that empower individuals to break free from economic abuse.
- Rob McBride, Jim Edgar, Paul Carter, & Sophie Bonny – New Language Solutions
The Avenue – LearnIT2teach Project: 21st Century Settlement Language Training & Better Practices in Online Learning Technology
Avenue.ca provides a learning management system (LMS) solution for adult settlement language training in both official languages. The project is a service provider to more than 100 colleges, universities and community agencies across Canada that hold IRCC language training contracts. The LMS system is pre-populated with 100s of ready-made learning modules which provide orientation to life, community and work in Canada while building language skills. Avenue.ca also provides ‘plug-ins’ that support the development of all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing. The project provides five stages of mentored training on the system for language educators. ‘Just in time’ in-service support is provided through a synchronous chat system.
Le projet Avenue – LearnIT2teach : Formation linguistique pour les nouveaux arrivants du XXIe siècle et bonnes pratiques en technologie d’apprentissage en ligne
Avenue.ca propose un système de gestion de l’apprentissage (SGA) destiné à la formation linguistique d’intégration des adultes, disponible dans les deux langues officielles. Ce projet soutient plus de 100 collèges, universités et organismes communautaires financés par IRCC à travers le Canada. Le SGA comprend des centaines de modules axés sur la vie, la communauté et le travail au Canada, tout en renforçant les compétences linguistiques. Avenue.ca met également à disposition des extensions pour développer la compréhension et l’expression, tant à l’oral qu’à l’écrit. Cinq niveaux de formation encadrée sont proposés aux éducateurs, avec un soutien en temps réel.
- Kimiya Missaghi – PeaceGeeks & University of Ottawa, & Yao Mu – PeaceGeeks
Upskilling for Newcomers to Create Sustainable Livelihoods: Virtual Career Coach
PeaceGeeks is committed to supporting newcomers in Canada through innovative digital tools that help them find jobs and achieve greater economic security. The Virtual Career Coach (VCC), an AI-powered platform, assists newcomers in accessing employment opportunities aligned with their skills and immigration pathways. By addressing employment barriers, the VCC platform helps newcomers navigate the Canadian job market and secure meaningful work. Rooted in social and economic integration frameworks, this initiative reflects PeaceGeeks’ dedication to fostering long-term success, connection, and well-being for displaced individuals through accessible, technology-driven solutions.
- James Muhato – Woveo
Innovations for Economic Integration: Alternative Data and Broader Access to Credit
Explore the transformative power of alternative data in revolutionizing access to affordable credit. By utilizing innovative data sources, we can support creditworthiness decisions and leverage social networks, driving positive economic outcomes for communities and individuals alike. This broader access to credit profoundly impacts every aspect of an immigrant’s life, fostering economic integration and sustainable settlement. Discover how alternative data can pave the way for financial inclusion and empower communities to thrive.
- Julia Nie – MOSAIC-BC
Intercultural Communication in WorkBC Model Context: Creating Employment Inclusion with Racialized Newcomers and Indigenous Communities
This Poster presents an empirical study that aims to explore how to effectively map and analyze the diversification of public employment services and ecosystems, and create employment inclusion for racialized newcomers and Indigenous communities. This research documents a new context of geographies, modes, diversities and identities, and flags challenges of intercultural conflict and transitions. It employs intercultural communication theories and methodological approaches, draws on key findings to highlight some fundamental characteristics of effective intercultural communication, and presents powerful intercultural communication strategies that are tailored for a diverse audience, reflecting diversity and inclusion, and eliminating barriers.
- Mark Piercey, Meghan Wankel, Rola El Moubadder, Ruth Lee, & Ruth Wojtiuk – Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
Fostering an Inclusive Digital Environment for Newcomers
As services go digital, understanding newcomers’ online activities reveals unmet needs and areas for improvement. Service providers must stay up-to-date on changing technologies to promote digital equity in immigration. Newcomers often rely on shared resources like library computers, making digital equity crucial for accessing vital information on healthcare, education, employment, and government services. By ensuring digital equity, newcomers can better integrate, overcome barriers, and thrive in their new home. This insight enables service providers to enhance support and foster a more inclusive digital environment for newcomers.
- Yollande Dweme M. Pitta & Denis Ahué – COPA National
Le succès du programme des TÉÉ en Ontario
Le programme des TÉÉ vise à faciliter l’intégration des nouvelles arrivantes et nouveaux arrivants dans le milieu scolaire et au sein de la société canadienne. Après 15 ans d’engagement dans le programme des TÉÉ, la coordination provinciale en Ontario présente son parcours ainsi que les réussites ayant permis de passer de 2 à 10 régions impliquées.
- Roberta Power – Pro Literacy New Readers Press & Sare Sulaiman, Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project
A Grant for Language Upskilling: A Free Opportunity for English, Equity and Economic Mobility
The Mobile Learning Fund (MLF) is a grant available from Pro Literacy, New Readers Press, which gives adult literacy programs free, easy-to-use solutions for online learning. Roberta Power will demonstrate the straightforward application process for this grant that supports settlement and gainful employment for our newcomers. Sare Sulaiman will share her experience in applying for and receiving the grant to help Uyghur refugees access a multi-level language training platform that can be used pre- or post-arrival. Moreover, they will showcase how this platform and other funded programs can foster increased proficiency levels, workplace-based learning, career pathway development, CLBs, confidence, and civic engagement.
- Amy Robichaud, Yusra Qadir, Natasha Irvine, & Susanne Nahm – Mothers Matter Canada
Importance of Culturally Appropriate Services for Francophone Newcomers Outside Quebec
The poster will feature a graphic recording of the experiences of the francophone HIPPY (Home Instruction of Parents of Pre-School Youngsters) clients and staff from Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Regina, and Calgary. The poster will show what the integration journey can look like if clients are able to access appropriate services and what is at risk of loss if they do not receive the right service. The poster (in both ENG and FR) paints a simple yet powerful picture based on real-life experiences and shows the power of the right service for the right client at the right time – and the difference it can make on the settlement journey.
Importance des services culturellement appropriés pour les nouveaux arrivants francophones hors Québec
L’affiche sous forme d’une illustration graphique présentera l’expérience des clients et du personnel francophone du programme HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) de Winnipeg, Regina et Calgary. Elle montrera à quoi peut ressembler le parcours d’intégration des clients ayant accès à des services appropriés, et les enjeux pour les clients qui ne reçoivent pas le bon service. L’affiche bilingue brosse un tableau simple, mais puissant, basé sur des expériences vécues et illustre l’impact du bon service, au bon client, au bon moment – et la différence qu’apporte cette approche sur le parcours d’établissement.
- Margerit Roger – Eupraxia Training
From Brainstormed Outcomes to Collaborative Evaluation Practices?
Over the past four years, Eupraxia Training has documented the outcomes brainstormed by hundreds of settlement staff as they describe the multi-faceted “ripple effect” of their work. The scope of individual, family, community, and systemic outcomes that SPOs have witnessed or experienced is truly remarkable. But we also see an opportunity to use the brainstormed outcomes to investigate the sector’s collective impact, and to develop collaborative evaluation tools and strategies at organizational, regional or national levels. Come hear more about the trends and patterns in the brainstormed outcomes, and share in a discussion about how collective impacts might be evaluated.
- Bidushy Sadika & Victoria Esses – Western University
Navigating Life Changes: Immigrant Women’s Post-Pandemic Experiences
This study examines the life changes experienced by first-generation immigrant women in Canada following the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from semi-structured interviews with 20 participants reveal increased awareness of health risks, heightened fear of in-person interactions, and a decline in social skills. Participants reported enduring unpleasant behavior from others post-COVID and facing economic challenges that affected their employment. While remote work introduced during the lockdown offered lasting benefits for some, others continue to struggle with the hybrid work model. Despite these issues, some women demonstrated resilience and a renewed appreciation for life. The study highlights the need for tailored support systems for immigrant women in Canada to address the pandemic’s effects and prepare for future crises.
- Bidushy Sadika, Lauren Pollack, & Kaitlynn Mendes – Western University
The Dynamics of Hate in Ontario: How Race, Gender, and Immigration Status Intersect
This study explores how intersections of race, gender, and immigration status shape experiences of hate among Ontario residents. We analyzed survey responses from 3,035 participants about their hate experiences over the past three years and reviewed 1,442 open-ended responses for nuanced insights. Preliminary results reveal patterns of immigrant exclusion and blame for violence, increased verbal and physical attacks on East Asian women, scapegoating of East Asians for COVID-19, racialized hate against Black women, and blaming older generations for economic issues. White immigrants reported higher rates of antisemitism compared to racialized immigrants. The study highlights the need for intersectional approaches to support immigrant and racialized groups facing diverse forms of hate.
- Serena Shukla & Hali Kil – Simon Fraser University
Navigating Parent-Child Acculturation Gaps for Whole Family Well-being in Newcomer Families
Among newcomer families, parents and children can often diverge in the extent to which they adopt Canadian cultural values and retain their heritage cultural values. Although this acculturation gap between parents and children has been thought to lead to greater familial distress, research findings cast a more nuanced light on its impacts. Using a literature synthesis approach, this presentation will provide insight on the typologies of parent-child acculturation gaps, links between parent-child differences in acculturation and both child and family outcomes, as well as research-based guidance on areas of focus for supporting whole-family well-being among newcomer families.
- Tanvi Sukhija & Evgeniya Slastnikova – Achēv
Economic Integration and Sustainable Livelihoods: A Strategic Framework for the Food Services and Accommodation Sector through the Skills for Success Model
This poster highlights the “Skills for Success in Food Services and Accommodation” program, designed to strengthen employability in the hospitality industry by fostering foundational and transferable skills. Spearheaded by Achēv, in partnership with the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel, and Motel Association, Essential Skills Group Inc., and AyeWork Inc., this initiative serves newcomers, women, youth, and racialized communities. Key themes of the poster will include program objectives, specialized training and tools, the power of strategic partnerships, an emphasis on social and emotional skills like adaptability and teamwork, as well as accessibility and long-term sustainability. This project aims to drive economic integration while promoting lasting livelihoods within the hospitality sector by addressing immediate labor market gaps and focusing on equipping underrepresented groups with essential skills to thrive in the industry.
- Tanvi Sukhija & Kosalina Vignarajah – Achēv
Embedding Inclusive Practices: A Holistic Framework for Employment Equity in the Paving the Way for Immigrant and Racialized Women Project
This poster showcases the “Paving the Way for Immigrant and Racialized Women” initiative, which presents a comprehensive framework aimed at advancing employment equity through the integration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles. By supporting 10-12 organizations across Ontario, this initiative fosters the inclusion of skilled immigrants into the workforce, creating pathways to equitable and meaningful employment. The poster will explore critical dimensions of the framework, including strategic employer engagement, toolkit implementation for organizational capacity-building, workplace culture transformation, and a collaborative problem-solving approach to overcome systemic challenges such as unconscious bias and structural inequities. Through this holistic integration of DEIA practices, the project envisions sustainable employment equity, enhanced workforce diversity, and shared benefits for both employers and immigrant communities.
- Mikhaela Sullivan & Rosa Atmani – Le Réseau en Immigration Francophone Centre-Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario
Analyse de faisabilité et de reproductibilite d’un projet en immigration
Méthode de gestion de projet qui est un cheminement reflexif précédant toute mise en oeuvre d’un projet en immigration. Analyse du macro-environnement et microenvironnement notemment les parties prenantes afin de prendre une décision éclairée et informée si le projet est faisable dans une région quelconque premièrement et reproductible à une autre région deuxièmement.Analysis of the Feasibility and Reproducibility of an Immigration Project
This project management method is a reflexive process that precedes any project implementation in immigration. It allows us to analyze the macro-environment and the micro-environment, including the stakeholders, in order to make an informed decision as to whether the project is feasible in a given region, and whether it can be replicated in another region.
- Astou Thiam – University of British Columbia, Mambo Tabu Masinda – Burnaby School District, & Suzanne Huot – University of British Columbia
Améliorer les pratiques d’inclusion pour contrer une assimilation jugée inefficace par des immigrants francophones d’origine Africaine.
Tirant d’une ethnographie critique abordant la cohésion communautaire dans la communauté francophone en situation minoritaire du Grand Vancouver, nous partageons les résultats d’une analyse d’entrevues avec participant.e.s immigrant.e.s francophone provenant de cinq pays Africains. Les thèmes identifiés abordent le rôle paradoxal des institutions francophones, les éléments facilitateurs et barrières aux sentiments d’appartenance communautaire, ainsi que les dynamiques de pouvoirs qui façonnent les expériences d’oppression individuelles et collectives des nouveaux arrivants racisés. Nos recommandations portent sur les pratiques d’inclusion qui peuvent contrer la violence d’assimilation qui entretient des solitudes parallèles au sein de la communauté.
- Ruth Wojtiuk, Rola El Moubadder, Meghan Wankel, Mark Piercey, & Ruth Lee – Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
What We Need to Do to Facilitate Successful Integration of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)
Statistics Canada indicates that over 32,000 nursing positions stood vacant; coupled with the acceleration of the nursing registration process highlighted the urgent need to address the integration challenges of both IENs and healthcare organizations. Recognition that embracing nurses with international education and experience could strengthen the workforce and add rich cultural representation to organizations led the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses to develop initiatives providing employers with the support and skills needed to facilitate successful IEN integration while empowering IENs to succeed in practice. Customized educational sessions were scheduled to address real organizations’ issues and offer concrete solutions.
- Jingyi Zhang & Kimberly A. Noels – University of Alberta
Mainstream Language Gaps and Adaptation among Chinese Migrant Couples in Canada
The present research in family acculturation focused on the relationships among immigrant couples’ English gaps, life satisfaction, and sociocultural adaptation. Our sample included 212 first-generation Chinese immigrants residing in Canada. Employing the Actor-Partner Interdependence Modelling framework, our results showed that both participants and their partner’s English levels positively predicted participants’ sociocultural adaptation, but not life satisfaction. Furthermore, English competence was related to life satisfaction when one’s spouse was perceived as being relatively competent in English, but this relation was nonexistent if the spouse was perceived as lacking competence. These findings underscore the necessity to better understand how couple dynamics impact individual-level acculturation outcomes.
- Lama Al-Abweh & Judith Herrera – Mennonite New Life Centre
The LIGHTS Program: Empowering Trauma Survivors Through Language Acquisition
The LIGHTS (Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors) Program is designed to support newcomers with mental health traumas by enhancing their English communication skills. This innovative program creates a safe and empowering learning environment through research-based adaptations tailored to individual learner needs. By focusing on language acquisition and equipping students with coping strategies, the program aims to enhance overall wellness. Our poster will showcase this holistic intervention model, highlighting the language acquisition tools, resources, and wellness strategies employed. We will present results demonstrating how this approach promotes a stress-reduced learning environment, empowering newcomers and establishing a promising practice in their integration journey.
- Christine Alvarez & Georgette Theodore – Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA): A Pathway to Business Ownership for Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia
The emerging trend of small business succession presents a mix of challenges and opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs seeking business ownership. Acquiring an existing business can provide a quicker path to entrepreneurship compared to starting from scratch, yet it can also be intimidating and overwhelming due to unfamiliar business practices, limited connections, and cultural disparities. In 2023, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) initiated the pilot project “Business Acquisition Support for Immigrant Entrepreneurs,” this poster highlights the core elements of the project and demonstrates how ISANS is helping immigrant entrepreneurs in exploring the possibilities of ETA and guiding them through the evolving landscape of small business succession.
- Sophie Bonny & Gilles Aubry – New Language Solutions
Transmettre la langue française : une opportunité pour les immigrants francophones
Découvrez comment Avenue.ca favorise l’intégration des immigrants francophones au Canada grâce à une formation novatrice en enseignement du français comme langue d’établissement. Ce programme propose des approches pédagogiques modernes et des outils numériques adaptés, tout en respectant les principes d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion. Il aide les participants à concevoir des cours interactifs pour d’autres immigrants, contribuant ainsi à leur intégration socio-économique et à leur engagement et contribution au sein de la communauté. Cette affiche met en lumière les ressources et avantages offerts pour soutenir le développement des compétences linguistiques des nouveaux arrivants.
- Marianne Chiu-Lezeau – Centre de recherche InterActions, & Marie-Jeanne Blain – Concordia University & Université de Montréal
Services and Programs For Young Adult Immigrants: How To Better Reach Them From An Intersectoral Perspective? Best Practices For Community And Institutional Actors
This poster presents the results of an applied research project in Montreal (Quebec), particularly young adult immigrants’ experience of accessing services, and outreach practices from an intersectoral perspectives. It focuses on career- and studies-related services that were – or were not – used by young adult immigrants (18-25 years old), recently arrived in Quebec. These young adult immigrants are an underserved and underinformed segment of society. This poster showcases best practices for outreach so that institutional and community actors can better provide accurate, timely, and helpful services for recently arrived young adult immigrants to make their socio-professional, and more broadly, life choices.
- Wendy Cukier – Toronto Metropolitan University, Morley Gunderson – University of Toronto, & Matthew McDonald – Toronto Metropolitan University
Immigration and Housing Prices: Myths and Realities
In recent years, public opinion has perceived immigrants as housing price scapegoats. While immigration is often correlated with housing price increases, causality is complex, with various factors at play including supply and demand dynamics. This poster aims to dissect myths from realities by delving into the nuanced relationship between immigration and housing. Our findings conclude that not only is the effect of immigration on housing prices likely small, but immigration in Canada can boost housing markets by addressing skills and labour shortages in construction. This poster underscores the importance of policies that target both labour shortages and housing affordability.
- Cat Goodfellow – National Newcomer Navigation Network
Removing Systemic Barriers to Optimal Employment of IEHPs: An Intersectoral Working Group Approach
Less than half of internationally-educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs) are successful in labour market integration in Canada. The National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4) leveraged its unique community of practice working group structure to convene a diversity of stakeholders to identify and address barriers to the licensure and optimal employment of IEHPs. With the collaboration of a committee with lived experience, key recommendations were identified and mobilized through education, tools and advocacy efforts. Attendees will gain an understanding of these recommendations and learn how they were developed, mobilized, and evaluated.
- Min-Jung Kwak – Saint Mary’s University, Christine Alvarez – Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, & Eugena Kwon – Trent University
Resilient and Optimistic: Immigrant Entrepreneurs Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
This study explores the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia (NS) and the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on their business operations and overall wellbeing. Conducted in partnership with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), the research highlights the vulnerabilities, coping strategies and adaptation processes of these businesses. Emphasizing the role of internal and structural factors, we begin with a comprehensive review of the literature on the pandemic’s impact on immigrant businesses. The primary findings are drawn from a survey of 122 Canadian small business owners and semi-structured interviews with 25 immigrant business owners in NS.
- Mary S. Ladky – The Children’s Book Bank
Building Book Banks, Building Welcoming Communities
The Children’s Book Bank provides high quality, gently-used and new books and literacy programming in Toronto’s high-needs neighborhoods. The mission is to help families build home libraries which are linked to improved educational outcomes as well as provide enjoyable literacy programming which promotes the importance of lifelong reading and civic engagement. The fact that all the books and programming are free and require no registration may be particularly helpful to New Canadians who may not own books, have the means to purchase them, nor may be comfortable with navigating registration requirements. Though public libraries continue their core book lending services, they are also at a critical juncture in their role as community spaces. The Book Bank model is, by contrast, solely engaged in promoting focused book reading. A sampling of program participant data and qualitative findings collected since January 2024 confirm that children value the Book Bank, particularly the opportunity to choose favorite books to own. Families and teachers also clearly express that they benefit from the variety of free literacy programming offered.
- Daniel Mac Dabara, Fernando Nunes, & Suzan Brigham – Mount Saint Vincent University
Migration and Mobility: The Social Integration Challenges and Recommendations of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors and Youth in Canada
Canada has experienced a significant influx of immigrants in recent decades, including unaccompanied refugee minors and youth (URM&Y). These young refugees face unique challenges making the phenomenon of URM&Y in Canada a prominent concern for immigration services. The purpose of this study is to investigate the specific challenges that URM&Y encounter in their social integration within Canada and bring recommendations that they made to the attention of service providers. The collected data underwent analysis using an open coding method and thematic analysis, with an interpretation guided by critical theory. This study critically analyzed the identified themes, focusing on the institutional and structural dominance present in society.
- Mercedeh Safarian, Jana Borras, Janice Phonepraseuth, Nancy Mandell, Larry Lam, Sutama Ghosh, Saad El Hakmi, & Sohail Shahidnia – York University
University to Work Transition: Experiences of Undergraduate International Students in Canada
Few studies have addressed the transition of international students from university to work. In this presentation, we contribute to this literature by examining the experiences of international students at a Canadian university. We build on a three-stage framework proposed by Ng, Menzies, and Zutshi (2019), which comprises finishing a degree, looking for a job, and working in a job, to understand the university-to-work transition of international students at York University. Our analysis reveals that international students face considerable challenges during the initial stages. They confront economic, institutional, social, and cultural difficulties when finishing their degree and beginning to search for jobs. Thus, this study highlights the different struggles of international students in transitioning from university to work, the strategies they use to navigate these challenges, and the need for institutional support to facilitate their integration into the labour market.
- Tasha Sioufi Stansbury – University of Windsor, Merrick Pilling – Toronto Metropolitan University, Michelle Tam – University of Toronto, Jane Ku – University of Windsor, & Derrick Biso – Trans Wellness Ontario
“I Want to Feel Safe”: Social Service Experiences of LGBTQ+ Newcomers in Windsor-Essex, Ontario
Our study, completed in partnership with Trans Wellness Ontario, examines the social service experiences of LGBTQ+ migrants in Windsor-Essex. Findings reveal gaps in service provision from LGBTQ+ and migrant-focused organizations which result in discrimination and isolation. Recommendations include collaboration between organizations to share knowledge and create programming for LGBTQ+ migrants.
- Hongshu Wang & Howard Ramos – Western University
Immigrants’ Political Participation in Canada
Political integration is a key measure of immigrants’ successful integration (Wright & Bloemraad, 2012). Despite Canadian immigrants’ increasing impact on political outcomes, little recent research studies their political participation quantitatively. Thus, this paper used the General Social Survey Cycle 35 to examine the impacts of factors existing literature identified on landed immigrants’ likelihood of voting and participating in three noninstitutional political activities: petitioning, attending a public meeting, and demonstrating. The regression results find experiencing racial, ethnic, and cultural discrimination, owning a university degree, and living in Quebec impact immigrants’ differently than Canadians in general.
- Ping Zou – Nipissing University
Immigrant Women’s Menopausal Transition: A Narrative Review Utilizing Ecosocial Theory
This review aims to identify influencing factors of menopausal transition for immigrant women based on ecosocial theory. Following PRISMA guidelines, various databases were searched, and thirty-seven papers were included in this review. The influencing factors were grouped into three categories: personal, familial, and community/societal. Personal factors include income and employment, physical and psychological health, perceptions of menopause, and acculturation. Familial factors include partner support, relationships with children, and balancing family, work, and personal duties. Community and societal factors encompassed social network, social support, healthcare services, traditional cultural expectations, and discrimination in host countries. Interventions for immigrant women‘s menopausal transition should be holistic and actively address systemic barriers affecting their experiences.