Abstract
“Background:
Digital health interventions are efficient and flexible methods for enhancing the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the characteristics associated with eHealth literacy in the Canadian South Asian population.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to describe perceived eHealth literacy and explore the extent to which it is associated with sociodemographic, health status, and technology use variables in a subset of South Asian Canadians.
Methods:
We analyzed data from the e-Patient Project survey, a mixed-mode cross-sectional survey that occurred in 2014. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was used to measure eHealth literacy in a convenience sample of 511 English- or Punjabi-speaking South Asian adults recruited from a community pharmacy, a family physician office, and community events in Edmonton, Alberta. Multivariable quantile regression was used to explore variables associated with eHealth literacy.
Results:
The analysis was restricted to 301 internet users (mean age 39.9, SD 14.8 years; 166/301, 55.1% female) who provided responses to all 8 eHEALS questions and complete demographic information. The mean overall eHEALS score was 29.3 (SD 6.8) out of 40, and 71.4% (215/301) agreed to at least 5 out of the 8 eHEALS items. The eHEALS item with the lowest level of agreement was “I can tell high-quality health resources from low-quality health resources on the internet” (182/301, 60.5%). Although there were statistically significant differences in eHEALS scores according to age, educational achievement, language preference, and the presence of chronic medical conditions, multivariable regression analysis indicated that language preference was the only variable independently associated with eHealth literacy (coefficient –6.0, 95% CI –9.61 to –2.39).
Conclusions:The aim of this study is to describe perceived eHealth literacy and explore the extent to which it is associated with sociodemographic, health status, and technology use variables in a subset of South Asian Canadians.
In our sample of South Asian Canadian internet users, preference for written health information in languages other than English was associated with lower eHealth literacy. Opportunities exist to improve eHealth literacy using culturally and linguistically tailored interventions.”
“This open access book explores implications of the digital revolution for migration scholars’ methodological toolkit. New information and communication technologies hold considerable potential to improve the quality of migration research by originating previously non-viable solutions to a myriad of methodological challenges in this field of study. Combining cutting-edge migration scholarship and methodological expertise, the book addresses a range of crucial issues related to both researcher-designed data collections and the secondary use of ‘big data’, highlighting opportunities as well as challenges and limitations. A valuable source for students and scholars engaged in migration research, the book will also be of keen interest to policymakers.”
Table of Contents
Innovation in Migrant Surveys
Innovative Sample Designs for Studies of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
Web-Based Respondent-Driven Sampling in Research on Multiple Migrants: Challenges and Opportunities
New Data Sources and Their Potential
Leveraging the Web for Migration Studies: Data Sources and Data Extraction
Assessing Transnational Human Mobility on a Global Scale
Conclusion: Migration Research in Times of Ubiquitous Digitization
Executive Summary
“Canada is celebrated as a diverse, multicultural and inclusive nation, with many accolades to its name, and remains a destination of choice for many immigrants worldwide. It is described, similar to Australia and New Zealand, as a ‘settlement country,’ where settlement is an integral part of nation building and immigration an intrinsic component of the national heritage (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2015). In short, despite some challenges, Canada is lauded as a successful immigrant nation, and perceived, in terms of its skilled migration system, as a ‘benchmark for other countries,’ as supported by its strong integration outcomes (OECD, 2019). While the literature points to ‘cracks’ in the Canadian immigration model, including ‘skilled’ migration, overall it is widely considered as a model to be emulated by other Western industrialized nations – a phenomenon otherwise known as Canadian ‘exceptionalism’ in the context of multiculturalism and immigration policymaking (Triadafilopoulos, 2021).
When it comes to examining racism and discrimination within the Canadian immigration system as a whole, authors point to certain areas that need particular attention, one of which centers, as per the focus of this paper, on temporary migration. Indeed, on the subject of migrant workers, the literature is somewhat more tentative as to Canada’s successes. Accordingly, authors raise concerns that there are ‘two Canadas,’ one of which is constituted by fault lines within temporary migration and defined by ‘zones of exceptionalism’ characterized by substandard labour and social protections as well as restrictions on workers’ mobility. For the majority of authors, ‘race,’ ‘class,’ ‘gender,’ or ‘geography’ (that is, country of origin), but also ‘skill level’ and ‘entry class’ combine with wider historical, and current structures of discrimination to shape the experiences of migrant workers and their migration experience today.
The primary objective of this review is to identify and analyze potential markers of racism and discrimination in immigration policy that impact migrant workers in Canada, most specifically those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Caregiver Streams that are part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The review also examines the International Mobility Program, albeit from a more limited perspective, due to a still nascent, yet fast-growing, literature on the subject. Overall, studies and reports mostly focus on substandard conditions of labour, lack of access, or restricted access, to social services and permanent residence pathways that are typically available to workers from higher-waged and higher-skilled categories. Indeed, most of the literature, including reports from non-profit organizations, and parliamentary committees refer to issues of ‘abuse and exploitation’ in temporary migration programs, including in specific segments of the International Mobility Program.
While on the surface, it may appear that these references are dissociated from the terminologies and practices of racism and discrimination, they are in fact often articulated in the context of the historical racist genesis of the programs, and also to processes of racialization that may be drawn from systemic racism and discriminatory practices. Indeed, there is meaningful literature on the historical formation of temporary programs in Canada, and its relationship to racism and discrimination as constituted through gender, geography, and class. Most scholars suggest that these historical formations are key to understanding the situation facing migrant workers in Canada today as they continue to inform the shape and contents of policy. This is sometimes referred to as history’s ‘ongoing effects’ or ‘lasting impacts.’ In this light, the federal government recognizes that historical practices continue to drive processes of stigma and discrimination for racialized peoples (Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), 2020). In the case of migrants, for example, some scholars have drawn connections between systems of indentureship – described as a discriminatory practice – and temporary migration programs. Others point out that the seasonality of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program stems from the racist assumption that racialized peoples cannot adjust to the Canadian climate, nor ‘assimilate’ to Canada due to their inherent nature, as another example.
In addition to the above considerations, scholars argue that it is key to be cognizant of the factors surrounding the global movement of migrants from the (mostly poorer) global South to the (mostly richer) nations of the global North, which is marked by migrants remitting to countries of origin; their separation from families; and isolation in their communities in Canada due to long hours of work; live-in arrangements (living with, or in close proximity to, employers), as well as language based, and other, barriers in accessing social benefits, labour protection information and compensation, legal aid, and settlement services. Relatedly, the literature refers to the ‘race’-based and gender-based barriers experienced by migrant workers. Authors point out that these unequal global realities may be replicated within nations, but also within households, for caregivers who still ‘live-in.’
As noted, evidence of exploitative practices abounds within these programs, whether for migrant agricultural workers or caregivers. Caregivers, for example, experience downward social mobility in Canada, tied to the absence of the recognition of their foreign credential experience, but also barriers which prevent further study and/or employment choices. In this context, authors depict racism as a structural barrier and the ‘gendered, racialized, and classed immigration system’ that feed into the downward mobility of female care workers (Lightman et al, 2021). There is also a gendered toll on caregiver mothers whose experiences – not unlike those of migrant mothers in temporary agricultural programs – illustrate the importance of examining these issues with an ‘intersectional’ lens.
The questions underpinning this study, as related to immigration policy, include:
The intent of this paper is not to arrive at a fixed conclusion as to whether racism and discrimination exist within these programs, but rather to raise awareness of the debates within the literature and among experts. Having said this, there is a wide consensus in the literature that questions of ‘race,’ ‘gender,’ ‘class,’ ‘geography’ are inevitable factors that impact policies regarding migrant workers whether in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program.
There is also a wide consensus that, in the case of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and the Caregiver Streams, their unequivocal rootedness in racism and discrimination inform the current nomenclature of immigration policies. In other words, though racism may no longer sustain or substantiate these programs, they may not be free of racism, due to the fact that they arose from racism. Some scholars point out that racism and discrimination are an intrinsic part of the matrix that make up these programs, depicting it as ‘institutional racism.’ Others note that the rootedness of racism within these programs cannot be ignored, and that though explicit racist ideas may no longer sustain them, they may still have a discriminatory impact that prevents the full ‘humanization’ of racialized migrants.
Most authors, and organizations such as the Ontario Human Rights Commission, explain that discriminatory impact is to be assessed by the disproportional outcomes experienced by a social group, in this case, migrant workers. Are they mostly racialized? Do they mostly originate from the global South? Do they experience differential treatment with adverse and disproportionate effects on their health, participation in their communities, places of work and broader experiences? Are their contributions to the Canadian economy and society proportionally recognized? Depending on how one answers these questions, a thoughtful pause on how Canada addresses potential discrimination in temporary migration, may well be warranted.”
The purpose of this research report is to provide a framework for educational institutions to understand the different needs and behaviors of international Millennial student segments as a means of informing international student enrollment strategies.
Overview
"The report analyzes nearly five thousand 17-to-36-year-old international Millennials’ use of technology and the psychographic characteristics that influence their information-seeking behavior.1 It closely examines bachelor’s and master’s students from China and India—the two largest sources of international students in the U.S.... The survey canvassed 4,852 prospective students aged 17 to 36 on their use of technology, psychographic characteristics, and information search processes... We define the four segments of international students—Explorers, Highfliers, Strivers, and Strugglers.”
Recommendations for educational institutions:
"Adapt to students' technology usage. Fifty-six percent of Millennials used a smartphone to search for and apply to U.S. colleges or universities, suggesting mobile devices play a large role in their prospect-to-application journey. It is recommended that higher education institutions (HEIs) devise a digital strategy, for example, making websites more mobile-friendly. Mobile devices play a big role in Millennials’ prospect-toapplication journey, especially among Highfliers who are the most likely to own a tablet and use mobile devices for email communication with international admissions offices. We recommend that institutions devise a mobile strategy, for example, revamping websites to be more mobile-friendly for international enrollment management.
Embrace the power of network marketing. A collective university network exerts the biggest influence on Millennial students' decision-making processes with regard to college or university choice. Admissions officers, faculty, current students and alumni comprise a cohesive university network. HEIs need to form a strategic relationship with these stakeholders and have them interact with prospective students via digital technologies. The collective university network exerts the biggest influence on Millennials’ decision-making process, followed by family. Institutions need to keep this in mind as they need to not only convey their value proposition to students, but also those relations who could potentially influence a student’s decision on which school to apply. First, admissions officers, faculty, current students and alumni comprise a cohesive university network; institutions need to form strategic relationships with these stakeholders and use them to interact with prospective students. Second, families should be an integral part of outreach efforts. For example, institutions can invite students’ families to networking events and deliver e-newsletter to families, in addition to other measures.
Tailor content to communicate your institution’s value proposition to students. International Millennials are more likely to consume online content than produce it. This highlights the importance of generating relevant, quality content to engage with this audience. Despite being active in the digital world, international Millennials are more likely to consume information than produce content. This highlights the importance of an institution’s role in generating relevant content to attract this audience. For example, blogging about tips on how to look for scholarships and financial aid is very relevant to Strivers, while showcasing campus life and student activities will likely generate interest from bachelor’s students and Explorers.
In a climate of decreasing budgets and increasing pressure to recruit international students, we recommend that institutions adopt evidence-based practices to better understand the constantly changing needs and behaviors of international Millennial students. Reassessing your recruitment strategies and adapting them to the needs of your target audience is the best way to ensure a good return on investment for your recruitment efforts."
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) conducted this survey of 67 Canadian educational institutions and over 40,000 international students (approximately 12% of all post-secondary international students in Canada):
"This year, in collaboration with a committee of practitioners and researchers, we refined our survey instrument to better articulate the challenges and opportunities that students face, from pre-arrival planning through study and post-graduate phases. Our intention is for this important tool to become instrumental in measuring the progress of strategic and operational objectives within Canadian higher education institutions. In addition to the longitudinal data collected by CBIE since 2012, the ISS also offers a point-in-time snapshot of relevant and salient themes. The data collected in this year’s survey provides valuable insight into the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on students as they experienced arriving in Canada, studying online and searching for work opportunities. The survey has also been revised to understand in a meaningful way the perceptions of safety and inclusion that students have while in our country."
The section on Pre-Arrival Experience and Decision-Making is very interesting and reinforces much of what we know about Newcomer information practice - that it is as diverse as Newcomers themselves.
From the report:
“The three most-valued resources cited by student respondents in helping them choose their institution were institutional websites, personal recommendations and institution ranking websites or publications. Government websites from the home country and Canada were not valued as informational resources. Interestingly, information from recruitment agents was not identified as a top resource. These findings are not universal, and the results vary considerably based on the source country.”
"2.2. Informational Resources
Student respondents were asked to identify the most and least useful resources that they consulted when choosing Canada as their study destination.
For most student respondents, the institution’s website, personal recommendations and websites/publications ranking universities and colleges were seen as the most valuable resources to inform their decisions.
Conversely, government websites, whether in their home country or Canada and international recruiting agents were seen as the least useful resources.
Interestingly, social media sites, online forums and blogs were considered useful by over 43.8% of respondents but were also viewed dubiously by 34.4% of respondents. There were also some differences among the top source countries regarding which resources were deemed most and least useful.
Looking at patterns of resource utility by student respondents from the top three source countries, there are some localized differences. These variances in how alternative resources are perceived underscore the need for nuanced approaches to international student recruitment in different countries, strengthening institutional and government websites and ongoing engagement with alumni to encourage them to advocate for their alma maters.
2.3. Experience with Admissions and Pre-Arrival
Among student respondents, the top three issues encountered during or following admission were arranging for accommodation, transferring funds, and
obtaining a study permit. Each of these factors was cited at least 40% of the time by respondents. Among respondents from the top ten source countries for international students to Canada, there were notable differences in terms of issues experienced, particularly regarding study permits. Interestingly, while there are differences between countries, the scores were virtually identical among students from the same country who
enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis or studied in a rural or urban centre.
Students from countries that have recently begun increasing their enrollment in Canadian institutions reported more frequent issues with study permit flows than those from established source countries. While these differences may be attributable to the simple fact that established source countries have more robust networks and institutional practices based on experience, a more careful review of causality needs to be undertaken to understand these issues.
There is a broad consensus across Canada’s international education community on the imperative to diversify source countries for recruitment. As these diversification efforts continue, careful consideration must be given to attendant issues experienced by international students. Finally, absent comparative data, it is unclear whether issues cited by international students, for example, finding affordable accommodations, reflect the realities of Canada’s tight housing market or are a sign of broader resourcing issues.”
[pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBIE_2021_International_Student_Survey_National_Report.pdf"]
In this report, the authors surveyed more than 1,500 people who have used programs staffed by Digital Navigators, and interviewed the leaders of more than 40 Digital Navigator programs to understand and evaluate the role impact Digital Navigators have had on addressing the digital divide.
They found that:
The report provides additional information about outcomes that address the digital divide, but also increase digital inclusion among marginalized and vulnerable groups. The authors also outline the importance of scaling Digital Navigator programs up to be able to serve even more people.
[pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/A-human-approach-to-closing-the-digital-divide-digital-navigators-2022.pdf" title="A human approach to closing the digital divide - digital navigators (2022)"]
Immigrant Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship in the GTA explores whether self-employment and entrepreneurship is a viable option for lifting new Canadians out of poverty in the Greater Toronto Area.
The report describes:
The report also describes reasons why immigrants start their own businesses, identifies some lessons learned from other jurisdictions in terms of supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, and provides preliminary observations about the efficacy of existing supports for self-employed immigrants, including perceived gaps in services.
he research finds that there are a suite of services for entrepreneurs in the GTA, but that there are few supports targeted towards the unique barriers immigrants face when starting a business. It identifies the need for future research and suggests possible policy and program ideas for various stakeholders.
[pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/Immigrant-Self-Employment-and-Entrepreneurship-in-the-GTA-Literature-Data-and-Program-Review-2011.pdf" title="Immigrant Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship in the GTA - Literature, Data, and Program Review (2011)"]
This community-based research project aims to document the experiences of adult immigrant single men and women who have used shelters and drop-in centres in Toronto, ON and to develop best practices based what was learned in this research phase of the project. The project generated 11 findings and 21 recommendations for addressing housing, homelessness and access to services for immigrants and refugees, and the needs of the service providers who work with them. The findings and recommendations are organized into eight themes: socio-economic status, housing and homelessness, shelter and drop-in services, language, discrimination, coordination of services, training, and future research and funding.
"Immigrants and refugees in Toronto, particularly refugee claimants, are at-risk for homelessness. As a result, increasing numbers of immigrants and refugees are requiring shelter, drop-in and other housing services. The needs of immigrants and refugees who have become homeless may be different than those who are Canadian-born. Newcomers may be adjusting to a new language and culture and may also face unique challenges with respect to employment, health and legal issues. However, most shelters and drop-ins are not mandated to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees who have become homeless. Most shelter and drop-in staff lack the time, skills or resources to effectively house and settle newcomers. Moreover, there have been few systemic attempts to develop shelter and drop-in services that are accessible, appropriate, and responsive to the needs of this population.
Best Practices for Working with Homeless Immigrants and Refugees is a community-based action-research project sponsored by Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre and funded by the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) with the following objectives:
The specific goals of Phase I, the research phase, were to:
[pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/Best-Practices-for-Working-with-Homeless-Immigrants-and-Refugees-2003.pdf" title="Best Practices for Working with Homeless Immigrants and Refugees (2003)"] [pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/Adeyanju_2000.pdf"]
Abstract
"Court decisions and court documents are becoming easier to access online than ever before. This access provides many possible benefits, including increased fairness. But court decisions and documents often contain intensely personal information. Public exposure of that private information may even lead to significant harm. The Federal Court of Canada has demonstrated leadership among Canadian courts in attempting to proactively grapple with these issues, including by consulting stakeholders about increased electronic access to court records.
We - researchers connected with the Refugee Law Lab based out of York University’s Centre for Refugee Studies and Osgoode Hall Law School - write this paper to participate in the Federal Court’s consultation. To date, consultations have highlighted immigration and refugee proceedings as one area of particular concern for privacy risks. Some are even calling for restricted access that could compromise the open court principle and systemic fairness. This article suggests the Federal Court could enhance privacy interests in immigration and refugee proceedings without compromising the open court principle. It suggests that any measures taken to protect privacy should be crafted to avoid amplifying unfairness in access to legal materials. The Federal Court must avoid creating access regimes that asymmetrically block research and technological development that could advance the interests of refugees and other displaced people."
[pdf-embedder url="https://km4s.ca/wp-content/uploads/Promoting-Privacy-Fairness-and-the-Open-Court-Principle-in-Immigration-and-Refugee-Proceedings-2021.pdf" title="Promoting Privacy, Fairness and the Open Court Principle in Immigration and Refugee Proceedings (2021)"]
Please take this short survey to help improve the KM4S web site. The survey is anonymous. Thank you for your feedback! (click on the screen anywhere (or on the x in the top right corner) to remove this pop-up)