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Fact Sheet
Multicultural Meanings of
Social Support Among Newcomers
Recommendations for Policy Makers from Newcomers
PURPOS E: The purpose of this study was to understand the meanings of social support for immigrants and refugees (newcomers) in
Canada, and to explore the types and adequacy of formal and info rmal supports they receive.
OBJECTIV ES: The primary research objecti ves of this study were:
1. To describe the meanings of social support from the perspective of immigrants and refugees;
2. To identify immigrants and refugees’ methods of accessing/seeking social support;
3. To compare immigrants’ and refugees’ meanings of social support and support seeking methods;
4. To determine mechanisms to strengthen support for immig rants and refugees by identifying unmet support needs; services, programs
and policies that might be helpful.
SAMPLE: Phase I - individual interviews with 30 service providers (10 per site) and 30 policy makers (10 per site) involved with
immigrants and refugee populations across three sites (Ed monton, Toronto & Vancouver). Phase II - individual interviews with 60
Chinese immig rants (20 per site) and 60 So mali refugees (20 per site) across three sites. Phase III - group interviews with 74 service
managers/practitioners, policy influencers, and participants fro m advocacy and professional organisations across sites to disseminate the
key findings and solicit imp licat ions/recommendations .
Newcomers in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver express similar difficulties in moving to Canada. They concur
on the various policies that might help fulfill their support needs and overcome challenges in the settlement process
in Canada. They also make suggestions for how policy makers may help improve the process. The following points
are addressed: employment, language, finances, health, racism, navigating the system, self identity, cultural
understanding, civic participation, and general issues.
Communication and understanding Newcomer Quote Key
e.g. [VaCh14] ID# “In terms of how the
Increase communication between government and government should
immigrants because the government needs to learn Va: Vancouver Ch: Chinese help [newcomers], they
Ed : Ed monton So: So mali must simplify the
more about this population to make the right policy To: Toronto
(e.g., they could make an annual report on new procedure of
immigrants’ situation.) immigration: because
there is too much paper work. I always have to send the
Keep abreast of different kinds of immigrants and documents back and forth… for example, when I applied
their changing needs for the professional license, because I had to bring a lot of
documents over from Hong Kong for the provincial board
Immigration to approve, it took me a long time.” [Chinese participant-
S4-fh]
Make information on the country (e.g., labour
market, economy) and the culture available for Immigration Status
potential newcomers to read and think over prior to
their coming to Canada through the Canadian Speed up the immigration process for refugees (e.g.,
embassy. approval of their immigration status) to allow them to
pursue education, employment opportunities, sponsor
Provide the opportunity to do a ‘pilot’ visit to
their family members, obtain loans for education, and
Canada, to assess whether or not people really want
establish business or secure permanent employment.
to emigrate to Canada.
Screen prospective immigrants for flexibility in
adapting to a new country.
Fact Sheet 005
Fact Sheet
Multicultural Meanings of
Social Support Among Newcomers
Facilitate speedy and easier family reunification for Navigating the System
individuals that have families in war-torn areas to
bring family to Canada. Upon arriving in the country
Increase flexibility in dealing with Somali refugees Provide written materials at the airport indicating
who might not have come with proper documentation available services and programs for newcomers upon
due to the warring state in Somalia. their arrival. Print information in both English and
the native language of the newcomers on topics such
Stop discriminating against refugees from other as: social insurance number, health care card, transit
countries (e.g., Somalia & Afghanistan) in favour of system, employment, education, and referrals.
those from Eastern Europe.
Settlement Process “It should be that when every new immigrant arrives,
there should be materials given to them, to explain where
they can get which kind of service, what are the agencies,
Provide long-term services/supports versus short-
and what kinds of services they provide. Then we can go
term.
there for support.”[Chinese participant-S1-fh]
“What I think is that…the best way is to help the people
immediately…[and] the help should…change…the
person‟s condition. It shouldn‟t be one where the person is Integrate services for newcomers to simplify the
still stuck [at] the same level he was…before…In the end, system, and decrease duplication of general services.
the person should be able to stand on his own feet.”
[ToSCM03] Employ service providers who can speak the
language of newcomers.
Provide opportunities to mix with people from the Provide interpreters at the airport, in hospitals, and
mainstream culture to allow newcomers to learn other community service organizations.
Canadian culture.
Information
“The type of help and support I need is to allow me to Use modern media forms to promote services and
make more friends and to support me in doing so. Provide programs to inform newcomers on: social agencies’
me this opportunity to make more friends and policies and services, the city they will be living in,
opportunities to allow me to learn more about Canadian taxes, and the legal system.
society.” [VaCh]
Make information more practical and up to date, so
that it matches reality more closely.
Facilitate the adjustment of Somali refugees by Employment
shortening their waiting period in the immigration
process.
Make the acknowledgement of foreign credentials a
Encourage mainstream businesses to hire employees priority to allow newcomers to qualify for more jobs
with broader language capabilities than English & in Canada, as well as feel more accepted and valued.
French.
Create employment opportunities for newcomers.
Provide cultural sensitivity workshops for those in
Provide affordable employment services to
management positions.
newcomers, including opportunities to acquire
professional job-related experience (e.g., co- op
programs, internships, or voluntary system), and
education.
Fact Sheet 005
Fact Sheet
Multicultural Meanings of
Social Support Among Newcomers
Provide wage subsidy programs. Health
Provide subsidies for job related training workshops
(e.g., computer training). Acknowledge the effects of settlement on both
psychological and physical health problems by:
Set quotas for immigrant participation in making psychological support a priority (e.g.,
management positions. trauma focused counseling, self-esteem
assessment and workshops)
Social Support providing translation services at health care
facilities and encouraging newcomers to enter
Show more understanding of challenges and the healthcare workforce by offering
problems faced by the newcomers by: educational subsidies
offering information concerning reducing waiting times for appointments at
employment, housing, education, language health care facilities
healthcare, services available, and benefits providing full health care coverage (including
targeting vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, dental and medications)
single mothers)
creating opportunities for immigrants and Provide information on health care coverage, location
refugees to network, so that those who need of services, and opportunities for physical activity.
help can have access to those who provide
Provide nutritional information,
help within the community
allowing for specific social support needs to Provide counseling services to youth who deal with
be explored (e.g., specific counseling needs being part of two cultures.
for refugees leaving war-torn countries) Provide counseling services (e.g., in a seminar format
“Language and other counseling services giving you some or helpline) to help newcomers cope with their
suggestions. When you tell them your situation, they concerns, problems, and challenges.
should be able to give you some suggestions, to assist you
in your planning in Canada, career counseling and other “In Toronto, there are approximately 30 - 40 thousand
more practical assistance, for example, housing, Chinese people. Counseling service is still lacking. It is
language, understanding of the social structure of due to the „cause and effect‟. If you don‟t provide such
Canada, health care system, social policies, etc. they service, there is less…demand for it. Once you provide
should give you a quick introduction.” [Chinese this service, people will realize it is helpful and demand
participant-S1-fh] starts to increase.” [ToCh-07]
Partner with big companies that make food, clothing,
Provide more supportive services by:
and other things that can be donated to needy
providing services in newcomers’ native
families.
language
training case workers to build empathy, trust, Allow foreign doctors to practice as they can be of
support, and consistent service valuable use to the immigrant and refugee
initiating home visits to assess specific needs communities with whom they share similar
and support background.
reaching out to newcomers (e.g., especially
those who are too shy to seek support)
Build a trusting relationship with newcomers, and
help them to be honest and open about their support
needs, problems and concerns.
Fact Sheet 005
Fact Sheet
Multicultural Meanings of
Social Support Among Newcomers
Discrimination
“There aren‟t too many specialists who can speak
Cantonese. It is inconvenient for patients who can‟t Customs officers should be more friendly, positive,
communicate very well in English. They should hire and supportive.
doctors from different ethnic groups. Many English terms Address discrimination against women on the basis
are unfamiliar to us. I don‟t know what they are asking. of color, religion, and traditional dress.
Here is my personal experience. I met someone who can‟t
even say „stamp‟ in English and he tried to buy some
Provide public education to inform Canadians about
stamps from us [the interviewee is currently a clerk in a
postal office]. He just tried to use different gestures.” immigrant and refugee groups coming to Canada, as
[ToCh-03] a way of decreasing stereotyping.
Finance
Education & Language Reduce taxes for newcomers.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Ease restrictions on immigrants with little collateral
Provide subsidized ESL services for students without to obtain bank loans.
a wait time, specifically the higher levels needed for Provide financial assistance to elderly refugees who
employment. are willing to return to their home countries, as is
Evaluate ESL programs and increase the quality of done in many parts of Europe.
the teachers and curriculum, and allow for differing Provide old age security/income assistance;
English entry levels. (it is good for the seniors’ well-being) by offering
financial subsidies for: transportation, education,
Primary School housing, employment training, daycare, and
Provide heritage language classes at school. recreation.
“[W]e are just asking for something small, a small
Encourage youth to stay in school to get necessary support that is not going to affect the government
skills and qualifications for employment. substantially [financial wise], that can be of benefit to
us.” [ToSo-05]
Post Secondary
Provide opportunities for higher education through
subsidies, decreasing wait times, improving Safety
application and registration assistance, and by hiring Increase police patrols in newcomers’ neighborhoods
more teachers/tutors to aid students facing language to make them safer (some newcomers, especially
and other cultural barriers. seniors, may not know how to approach the police
when they are in need).
Language Assistance Create programs dealing with crimes.
Offer language assistance to elderly newcomers,
especially in simple daily domestic tasks, such as
grocery shopping.
For the full version of this report
visit the SSRP website:
www.ssrp.ualberta.ca
Fact Sheet 005
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