Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities
Canada has, by most accounts, one of the most successful immigration programs in the world. While the federal government has long been the dominant player in this field, provinces, municipalities, service provider organizations, and employers are now pushing for an expanded policy role, increased resources, and governance arrangements that recognize the important part they play in immigrant settlement. Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities examines these developments and their implications for public policy.
Drawing on in-depth interviews with government officials and front-line workers, the volume provides a comparative assessment of approaches to immigrant settlement in 19 Canadian municipalities, in addition to an analysis of the federal government’s role in this policy field. The chapters in the volume suggest that while municipalities and non-governmental actors are key actors in settlement service delivery, their policy role is uneven and embryonic. Moreover, there is really no one model of municipal involvement in immigrant settlement policy. Some municipalities have sought to attract and retain newcomers, others have worked to recalibrate existing services to accommodate immigrants’ needs, and some remain skeptical of the benefits of immigration, opting for a more hands-off approach. Factors that appear to influence these choices include the provincial policy context, the relative size and composition of the immigrant population, the demographics of the receiving community, and the strength and presence of municipal political leadership. Although there is evidence of innovation in a number of municipalities, these practices are vulnerable to funding cuts and changes in political will.
This volume sheds light on the mechanics of public policy-making, but also tells a story about immigrant settlement in Canada’s towns and cities, about diverse and innovative approaches, and about the ways in which governments and communities are working together to facilitate immigrants’ integration in this country.
Edited by Erin Tolley (Queen’s University) and Robert Young (University of Western Ontario), contributors include Zainab Amery (Carleton University), Caroline Andrew (University of Ottawa), Guy Chiasson (Université du Québec en Outaouais), Rodney Haddow (University of Toronto), Rachida Abdourhamane Hima (Government of Canada), Christine Hughes (Carleton University), Serena Kataoka (University of Victoria), Junichiro Koji (University of Ottawa), Warren Magnusson (University of Victoria), Daiva Stasiulis (Carleton University), Erin Tolley (Queen’s University), and Robert Young (University of Western Ontario).
For more details, including ordering information, please consult the Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities flyer.