Pathways to Prosperity 2020 Conference – Workshops | Conférence nationale 2020 de Voies vers la prospérité – Ateliers
Monday, November 23, 2020
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Creating a Culture of Wellness to Support Vulnerable Populations during the Pandemic
Chair: Sandra Almeida, Options Community Services
For vulnerable populations, such as newcomers, refugees, low-income individuals and families, radicalized minority groups, and LGBTQ2S+, further layers of complexities have arisen from this pandemic, given the many barriers they already face. This presentation will explore the everyday challenges such populations face while trying to adapt to changes in essential services, the impact and effectiveness of these services, and the adjustments made due to the pandemic. The presenters will share best practices to maximize positive outcomes of supporting these groups with a focus on wellness, crisis counseling, and safely maintaining human connections in the service delivery.
- Creating a Culture of Wellness during the Pandemic
Sandra Almeida, Options Community Services - Mental Health and COVID-19: A New Model of Daily Operation
Mariana Martinez Vieyra, Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST) - Lived Experience and How to Uplift Clients during Pandemic
Boban Stojanovic, Centre of Newcomers, Calgary
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Healthcare Needs of Immigrants and Refugees, Challenges and Opportunities
Chair: Nova Chamberlin, MOSAIC
Better health care integration is a priority for newcomers in Canada. We will highlight the healthcare needs and challenges, the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized newcomers, and how the resilience and intersectoral collaborations contributed to addressing these needs. Better health care integration is a priority for refugees and immigrants in Canada and (re)settlement service organizations provide an important link toward better addressing the social determinants of newcomers’ health. We will discuss conceptualizations of integrated care along with theoretical applications of integrated health care across service sectors in BC with the purpose to identify gaps and highlight promising practices from immigrant services, healthcare providers’ and academic perspectives.
- Promising Practices for Intersectional Collaboration (Download Presentation)
Nancy Clark, University of Victoria, BC - Burnaby’s Primary Care Network COVID-19 Strategy – and Ethnoculturally Appropriate Response (Download Presentation)
Georgia Bekiou, Burnaby Division of Family Practice - Social Determinants of Health and Healthcare Needs of the Newcomer Population (Download Presentation)
Zarghoona Wakil, MOSAIC BC - Lessons Learned from a Virtual Health Literacy Program (Download Presentation)
Fatima Al-Roubaiai, University of British Columbia Okanagan and Cherry Fernandez, South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Housing, Migration, and COVID-19 in Canada – Towards a Research Agenda
Chairs: Yolande Pottie-Sherman and Julia Christensen, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
Access to housing is a crucial dimension of (re)settlement and strategies to slow the spread of Covid-19. How has the pandemic impacted the housing circumstances of newcomers in Canada? What questions/actions are the most pressing now, and over the next year? We use the term newcomer as an umbrella term encompassing different arrival experiences and diverse senses of home, including migrant workers, former refugees, and international students. This workshop highlights some preliminary findings and reflections from academic and community-based researchers, advocates, and those providing services to these groups. The workshop will conclude by engaging the audience in a priority-setting discussion.
- Migrant Workers’ and Newcomers’ Experiences of Housing Precariousness in Edmonton, Alberta (Download Presentation)
Marco Luciano, Migrante-Alberta, Lynne, Migrante-Alberta, and Ethel Tungohan, York University - Improving Housing for Former Refugees: Lessons For and From a Pandemic? (Download Presentation)
Ray Silvius, University of Winnipeg, Hani Ataan Al-Ubeady, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, and Emily Halldorson, Independent Researcher - Housing Security for International Students: The Impact of the COVID-19 Induced Global Economic Downturn on Newcomer Youth at Memorial University of Newfoundland (Download Presentation)
Sonja Knutson, Memorial University of Newfoundland
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Immigration et Francophonies Minoritaires Canadiennes : Émergence de la Question de la Cohésion Sociale
Présidente : Leyla Sall, Université de Moncton
Les communautés francophones en situation minoritaire (CFSM) ont acquis le statut de communautés d’accueil d’immigrants au début des années 2000. Les arguments en faveur de l’accueil d’immigrants dans les CFSM ont été de nature démographique et économique. Après près de vingt ans émerge la question de la cohésion sociale au sein des CFSM qui doivent désormais gérer la diversité ethnoraciale. L’examen et l’analyse de la question de la cohésion sociale au sein des CFSM est d’autant plus cruciale qu’elle émerge dans un contexte caractérisé par la radicalisation des positions idéologiques et politiques concernant le fonctionnement des collectivités locales et nationales.
- Des discours inclusifs mais un manque de pratiques anti-racistes : comment mieux accueillir les immigrants francophones racisés dans le Grand Vancouver? (Télécharger la presentation)
Suzanne Hout, University of British Columbia - Cohésion communautaire au Manitoba: Diversité ethnoculturelle, sentiment d’appartenance et enjeux identitaires (Télécharger la presentation)
Nathalie Piquemal, University of Manitoba, and Faiçal Zellama, Université de Saint-Boniface - Espaces, langue, et réseaux : identifier les éléments qui sont sources de tensions entre francophones de diverses origines ethnoculturelles à Ottawa (Télécharger la presentation)
Luisa Veronis, Université d’Ottawa - L’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick et « ces » immigrants francophones : intégration socioéconomique à la marge et francophonie en «tranches napolitaines»
Leyla Sall, Université de Moncton
REGARDER L’ENREGISTREMENT DES SESSIONS
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Internationally Educated Health Professionals and COVID: Can We Turn Crisis to Opportunity?
Chair: Beth Clarke, World Education Services
According to a recent StatCan COVID Impact study, almost 47% of immigrants with health education from abroad are unemployed or underemployed. For internationally educated health professionals seeking to bring their skills to our health care system, the pandemic has brought both new challenges and potential opportunities. This session will explore challenges, successes, and potential opportunities that the pandemic is creating at both the individual and systems level.
- IEHP Lived Experience Perspective
Moises Vasquez, Niagara IEHP Network - Internationally Educated Nurses and the Pandemic: Challenges, Successes, Possibilities and Solutions (Download Presentation)
Ruth Lee, CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses and Patricia Bradley, York University - Local IEHP/COVID Response: Challenges, Successes, Possibilities
Emily Kovacs, Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre - Internationally Educated Health Professionals and Long Term Care: Building Sustainable Pathways (Download Presentation)
Joan Atlin, World Education Services
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
IRCC Recent Research Insights
Chair: Cédric de Chardon, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
IRCC continues to work to enhance its capacity to report on and analyze the outcomes and impacts of immigrants and refugees. With the increased availability of administrative data, including strategic data enhancements and linkages, research has been able to address some longstanding knowledge gaps, and produce evidence for the purpose of policy and program decision-making. This workshop will provide an overview of the current research plan, as well as highlights from 3 recently completed research projects focused on the impacts of COVID-19 on immigrants, the expansion of two-step selection, and the long-term labour market integration of refugee claimants.
- IRCC Recent Research Insights
Rebeka Lee, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) - Transitions Into and Out of Employment by Immigrants During the COVID-19 Lockdown and Recovery (Download Presentation)
Jue Zhang, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Feng Hou, Statistics Canada - The Expansion of Two-Step Selection and Immigrant Labour Market Outcomes in Canada (Download Presentation)
Eden Crossman, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Feng Hou, Statistics Canada - The Long-term Labour Market Integration of Refugee Claimants Who Became Permanent Residents in Canada (Download Presentation)
Yasmin Gure, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Supporting Migrant Workers as Essential Workers: The Challenges and Training Needs of Service Providers During the Pandemic
Chair: Sabrina Dumitra, AMSSA
Migrant Workers have played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, working in essential industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and retail. At the same time that this work has been acknowledged as essential, the pandemic has presented many challenges to not only these essential workers, but also the organizations who support them. This workshop looks at the ground level challenges and training needs of service providers, as well as best practices for support provided during the pandemic. Speakers from various organizations across BC share their experiences with supporting Migrants Workers as Essential Workers during the pandemic.
- Archway Community Services Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic Helping Temporary Foreign Workers and Seasonal Farm Workers
Claudia Stoehr, Archway Community Service - The Critical Nature of Human Connections for Migrant Workers During the Pandemic
Saša Loggin, Skeena Diversity Society - What the Pandemic Reveals About the Contributions of Migrant Workers (Download Presentation)
Lynn Weaver, Cowichan Intercultural Society - The Challenges and Training Needs of Service Providers During the Pandemic – Perspective From an Umbrella Organization (Download Presentation)
Sabrina Dumitra, AMSSA
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
Moving Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Online: Assessing the Impact of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Chair: Lisa Rochman, NorQuest College
At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to: 1) Understand the challenges of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) in Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC); 2) Identify the impacts of ERT in LINC; 3) Identify supports and strategies needed during ERT in LINC, during the COVID-19 Pandemic. NorQuest College partnered with two other post-secondary institutions, Douglas College and Red River College, to study students’ and instructors’ experiences with remote delivery. Surveys were distributed in early July 2020 at all three institutions, which were engaged in Emergency Remote Teaching as a response to the pandemic.
- Lisa Rochman, NorQuest College
- Tara Penner, NorQuest College
- Christine Woods, Douglas College
- Anna Janik-Kelly, Red River College
3:30 – 4:45 PM EST
The Impact of COVID-19 on Immigration and Settlement: Newcomer Impact Surveys and First-Hand Experience from Eastern, Central and Western Canada
Chair: Craig Mackie, PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEIANC)
Decision makers and service providers are responding to rapidly changing needs in the immigration sector since the pandemic. Join us to pause, step back, and consider emerging needs and new trends from across Canada. During times of uncertainty, clarity and focus are needed. This workshop seeks to bring clarity by identifying needs in our immigrant populations, and provide focus through survey results, analysis, and first-hand experiences from each location. Speakers will examine trends within their newcomer communities, focus on urgent needs, share insights, and provide practical recommendations. A number of LIPs and umbrella organizations have gathered Covid-19 Impact Surveys; each presenter will provide findings and recommendations from their unique region of Canada. This workshop will be helpful for those working in and with the immigration and settlement sector; this includes decision makers, settlement associations, LIPs, service providers, and other partners impacting immigration and settlement services.
- East Canada (Download Presentation)
Melanie Bailey, PEI Immigration Partnership, PEIANC - Central Canada (Download Presentation)
Kaitlin Murray, Toronto North LIP and Yasmeen Tian, Toronto West LIP - West Canada
Chris Friesen and Kathy Sherrell, Immigrant Services Society of BC
Tuesday November 24, 2020
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Adapting Services During COVID-19: Innovative Approaches in Addressing Immigrant Unemployment and Underemployment Across Canada
Chair: Sabina Michael, Intercultural Skills Lab – Rotman School of Management
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected immigrants in the labour market, exacerbating the challenges around finding employment commensurate with their skills and expertise. Immigrant women, racialized immigrants, and newcomers to Canada, have been particularly vulnerable to unemployment and underemployment. Accordingly, settlement programs and other immigrant-focused projects had to come up with novel and innovative ways to provide support – ranging from facilitating immigrant connections in an increasingly virtual world to shifting their services and employer partnerships online. This workshop is intended to discuss and share innovative approaches employed by various agencies across Canada to support immigrant career success in times of crisis.
- Pivoting to New Programming: Addressing Newcomer Employment Needs During the Pandemic
Mohamed Bagha, Saint John Newcomers Centre - Gaining Visibility & Trust as an Immigrant Professional in a Virutal Job Market
Chidimma Eghagha, RBC - Collaborating with Employers on Immigrant Talent During the Pandemic
Daisy Quon, Immigrant Employment Council of British Columbia - Guiding Newcomer Professionals in an Era of Uncertainty: Evidence Based Approaches
Yilmaz E. Dinc, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Building Relationships Between Newcomers and Indigenous Peoples
Chair: Hani Ataan Al-Ubeady, Immigrant Partnership Winnipeg
Immigration Partnership Winnipeg has been working in partnership with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and respected Elders, Newcomer serving organizations, and community organizations to assist in developing understanding and promoting solidarity between Indigenous Peoples and Newcomers to Canada. Each participant will give a short presentation on their involvement in this work, as well as speak to the importance of bringing these two communities together. Presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with prepared Q&A on topics such as challenges faced, community response, and plans moving forward.
- Sharing Commonalities Between Newcomers and Indigenous Peoples
Hani Ataan Al-Ubeady , Immigrant Partnership Winnipeg - Relationship Building and Reconciliation
Clayton Sandy, Circles for Reconciliation - Developing the Indigenous Orientation Toolkit (Download Presentation)
Connie Wyatt Anderson, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba - Fostering Safe Spaces for Dialogue and Relationship Building (Download Presentation)
Aliraza Alidina, University of Winnipeg
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
COVID-19 and Racism: Early Research and Training in the Sector
Chair: Raeesa Farooqi, AAISA
In April 2020, just a few months after the first case of COVID-19 in Canada was reported, ActionDignity, ARDN and AAISA delivered the first in a series of 3 webinars addressing the increase in racism and discrimination related to COVID-19. This workshop will focus on discussing the COVID-19 pandemic through an anti-racism lens and using an intersectional lens to understand how oppression has been amplified for immigrants. Participants will be guided through the early findings from this project and its significance to the settlement and integration sector. Speakers will share experiences developing training in addition to practical tools, and resources.
- COVID-19 and Intersectionality: Essential Workers in Cargill, AB (Download Presentation)
Marichu Antonio, ActionDignity - COVID-19, Anti-Racism, and the Settlement Sector (Download Presentation)
Sarosh Rizvi, AAISA - Anti-Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Education to Action (Download Presentation)
Tyra Erskine, ActionDignity and Jayde Roche, ARDN
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Cultural Brokering in a Digital World: Cultural Brokers Supporting Newcomers During COVID-19
Chair: Sara Torres, Laurentian University and Community Health Workers Network of Canada
Cultural Brokers’ responses to support newcomer families during the COVID-19 pandemic become crucial as the crises exacerbates the vulnerability of families —many of whom are already experiencing difficulties prior to COVID-19. Families with individuals who have disabilities, families who do not speak English or French, families who are new to the country, families with precarious immigration status and those who lived through a war before arriving here are some of the most vulnerable at this time. In this workshop we discuss Cultural Brokers’ responses in supporting newcomers families and providing culturally appropriate services in new and multiple ways across the country.
- The Newcomer Navigation and Support Unit at Manitoba Possible – Providing a Lifeline to Clients During COVID-19 (Download Presentation)
Traicy Robertson, Manitoba Possible - Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative: A Grassroots Community Response to the Mental Health Crisis in the Time of Pandemic (Download Presentation)
Mei-Chi Chan, Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative - Cross Cultural Health Brokers: Engaging Racialized Ethnocultural Communities in the Public Health COVID-19 Response
Esther Hsieh, Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op - Falling Through the Cracks? Newcomer Families’ Health and Well-Being During the Pandemic (Download Presentation)
Sara Torres, Laurentian University and Community Health Workers Network of Canada
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): ISANS’ Organizational and Program-Based Approaches
Chair: Nabiha Atallah, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
ISANS’s main focus is to support newcomers; however, we also recognize the importance of supporting and building the capacity of others to be more inclusive and welcoming. This workshop will provide a snapshot of ISANS’ work in three program areas: a short-term anti-racism project for newcomer youth, our long standing Welcome Ambassador program, and our Workplace Culture program focused on supporting employers to increase workplace diversity. ISANS also understand the importance of continually strengthening our own internal EDI strategies, training, and support using a trauma-informed approach. This workshop will include best practices, strategies, and the impact of Covid and Black Lives Matter.
- Stronger Together – Empowering Marginalized Youth
Maria Cain, ISANS - Welcome Ambassadour Program (Download Presentation)
Sherida Hassanali, ISANS - Workplace Culture Program (Download Presentation)
Paul Pickering, ISANS - ISANS’ EDI Strategy (Download Presentation)
Wenche Gausdal, ISANS
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Fighting Discrimination Against International Medical Graduates
Chair: Vahid Nilforushan, IMG Advocacy Alliance
International medical graduates (IMGs) face systemic barriers that prevent their access to licensure. Given the shortage of physicians, IMGs have been a wasted resource especially during the pandemic. Access to the medical profession should be competence-based and equitable for all citizens of Canada regardless of where their medical training took place and free from the discrimination faced by IMGs. We will explore:
1. The systemic challenges facing IMG’s access to residency positions and the implications,
2. The Human Rights case brought forward by 5 IMGs and BC and their experiences of discrimination,
3. Actions being taken to address discrimination faced by IMGs
- Personal Experience of Discrimination and the Human Rights Case
Vahid Nilforushan, IMG Advocacy Alliance - Systemic Challenges/Barriers Facing IMGs’ Access to Residencies
Deidre Lake, Alberta International Medical Graduate Association - Legal Implications
Rosemary Pawliuk, IMG Advocacy Alliance
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
L’Intégration des Professionnels Immigrant Francophones dans les Secteurs de L’éducation, de la Santé et de L’entrepreneuriat
Président : Maciej Karpinski, Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada
L’apport de la recherche pour explorer les barrières et défis liés à l’insertion professionnelle perçus par les immigrants d’expression française vivant dans des communautés francophones en situation minoritaire (CFSM) L’objectif de ce panel est de discuter des résultats de trois études commissionnées (2018-2020) par Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC) qui portaient sur les barrières et l’insertion professionnelle des immigrants d’expression française vivant dans les communautés francophones en situation minoritaire (CFSM). Le but principal des études était de fournir à IRCC des données probantes et des recommandations sur les façons potentielles de soutenir l’intégration et la rétention des immigrants professionnels d’expression française (secteurs de l’éducation, de la santé, et de l’entreprenariat) tout en renforçant les capacités des communautés francophones. Les présentations des trois études aborderont comment le fait de certaines caractéristiques sociodémographiques et identitaires – parler français, être identifié à une minorité visible, être une femme, etc. – sont susceptibles d’affecter l’intégration en emploi dans les secteurs professionnels étudiés. Un regard sur l’avenir sera esquissé et des recommandations seront partagées afin de considérer des mesures à court, à moyen et à long terme.
- Le personnel enseignant immigrant francophone vivant en situation minoritaire : comprendre et faciliter son parcours d’insertion professionnelle (Télécharger la presentation)
Mariève Forest, Sociopol - L’intégration professionelle des personnes immigrantes francophones dans le domaine de la santé en situation linguistique minoritaire (Télécharger la presentation)
Marie-Philippe Lemoine, Goss Gilroy Inc - Les personnes immigrantes francophones vivant en situation minoritaire et propriétaires d’entreprises: défis et incitatifs (Télécharger la presentation)
Virginie Mesana, Sociopol
REGARDER L’ENREGISTREMENT DES SESSIONS
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Organizing a COVID-19 Anti-Racism Campaign in Manitoba
Chair: Jessica Praznik, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
In response to increasing COVID-19-related acts of racism, discrimination and xenophobia in Manitoba, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW) — together with several partnering organizations — launched its public awareness-building campaign, entitled: “Manitobans: COVID-19 Doesn’t Discriminate. Nor Should You”. IPW’s campaign comes in answer to widespread reports of targeted acts of discrimination directed towards Manitoba’s Asian communities, other racialized groups and immigrants and refugees. This workshop will explore how the need for Anti-Racism was identified in Manitoba, the logistics related to organizing the campaign, how we pulled together community partners, and an overview of the public education implemented.
- Seeing the Need in the Community and Making Reporting Available and Accessible in the Community
Yenny Trinh, Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba - Logistics of Planning a Campaign in a Pandemic
Jessica Praznik, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg - Role of Campaign Partners and Engaging the Municipality
Cololcha Boru, City of Winnipeg - The Aspects of Public Education in the Campaign
Sandra Krahn, Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties
3:00 – 4:15 PM EST
Quality Sport for Newcomers: Settlement and Integration
This session will highlight lived experiences of young sport leaders working with the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy. This new organization welcomes newcomers while they settle into Canada providing quality sport, physical activity and play. The leaders aim to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate programs equipping participants with skills to give them confidence and motivation to participate in sport in their school, community centres and with friends. Hear from a newcomer athlete, our coaches and leaders about what they have learned during their time with Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy – and what we could do better to welcome new Canadians into mainstream sport.
- Muhammed Elahmer, Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy
- Betlhem Kassa, Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy
- Zaenab Saeed, Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy
- Michael Kananoja, Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy