Not long ago, the integration of immigrants in host societies was perceived mostly in terms of assimilation, an overly simplistic scenario, based on which immigrants would learn the language and culture of the native population, and the rest would just follow. However, the developments of the past two decades have shown just how complex this process can be. This new book shows the diverse experiences of various groups of immigrants. This book takes a fresh look at the experiences of immigrants to Canada. The contents of the book are based on over five years of research the author has carried out in Canada and elsewhere, using a variety of data sources, from quantitative census data through specially-designed survey information, to materials derived from qualitative research. The book is structured in such a way that it can be beneficial to a wide range of readers: those interested in in-depth examination of immigration issues, those leaning more towards narrative texts, and those looking only for general research trends and theoretical and policy implications. Literature; The Calm Before the Storm: Preparing to Migrate to Canada; Haves and Have-nots: Poverty Experiences of Immigrants; The New Kid in Town: Neighbourhood Poverty and Economic Performance; What You Know, and Who You Know: Human Capital, Social Capital, and Immigrant Life; Wrap-up and Implications; References; Index.

Since the 1960s, new and more diverse waves of immigrants have changed the demographic composition and the landscapes of North American cities and their suburbs. The Housing and Economic Experiences of Immigrants in U.S. and Canadian Cities is a collection of essays examining how recent immigrants have fared in getting access to jobs and housing in urban centres across the continent. Using a variety of methodologies, contributors from both countries present original research on a range of issues connected to housing and economic experiences. They offer both a broad overview and a series of detailed case studies that highlight the experiences of particular communities. This volume demonstrates that, while the United States and Canada have much in common when it comes to urban development, there are important structural and historical differences between the immigrant experiences in these two countries.

Immigration and Canada provides readers with a vital introduction to the field of international migration studies. This original book presents an integrated critical perspective on Canadian immigration policies, main trends, and social, economic, and cultural impacts. It offers up-to-date information on migration patterns and examines Canada in an evolving, global-transnational system that gives rise to imagined futures and contrasting real outcomes. Key issues and debates include: nation building and the historical roots of Canadian immigration contemporary global migration the changing national and ethnic origins of immigrants immigrants, jobs, wages, and the economy "designer" immigrants and the brain gain the business of migration demographic impacts of immigration racism and prejudice facing excluded and marginalized populations transnational citizens, diasporas, emerging identities, and struggles to belong refugees, temporary workers, and foreign visa workers undocumented migration and migrant trafficking the baby bust and the future of international migration

Canada’s history, since its birth as a nation one hundred and fifty years ago, is one of immigration, nation-building, and contested racial and ethnic relations. In Immigration, Racial and Ethnic Studies in 150 Years of Canada: Retrospects and Prospects scholars provide a wide-ranging overview of this history with a core theme being one of enduring racial and ethnic conflict and inequality. The volume is organized around four themes where in each theme selected racial and ethnic issues are examined critically. Part 1 focuses on the history of Canadian immigration and nation-building while Part 2 looks at situating contemporary Canada in terms of the debates in the literature on ethnicity and race. Part 3 revisits specific racial and ethnic studies in Canada and finally in Part 4 a state-of-the-art is provided on immigration and racial and ethnic studies while providing prospects for the future. Contributors are: Victor Armony, David Este, Augie Fleras, Peter R. Grant, Shibao Guo, Abdolmohammad Kazemipur, Anne-Marie Livingstone, Adina Madularea, Ayesha Mian Akram, Nilum Panesar, Yolande Pottie-Sherman, Paul Pritchard, Howard Ramos, Daniel W. Robertson, Vic Satzewich, Morton Weinfeld, Rima Wilkes, Lori Wilkinson, Elke Winter, Nelson Wiseman, Lloyd Wong, and Henry Yu.

Immigration, settlement, and integration are vital issues in the twenty-first century—they propel economic development, transform cities and towns, shape political debate, and challenge established national identities. This original collection provides the first comprehensive introduction to the contemporary immigrant experience in both the United States and Canada by exploring national, regional, and metropolitan contexts. With essays by an interdisciplinary team of American and Canadian scholars, this volume explores major themes such as immigration policy; labour markets and the economy; gender; demographic and settlement patterns; health, well-being, and food security; education; and media. Each chapter includes instructive case examples, recommended further readings, links to web-based resources, and questions for critical thought. Engaging and accessible, Immigrant Experiences in North America will appeal to students and instructors across the social sciences, including geography, political science, sociology, policy studies, and urban and regional planning.

"Dealing with the consequences of a rising ethnic and cultural diversity will most likely be among the major challenges of the 21st century, particularly in immigrant-receiving countries in Europe, North America, as well as Australia. The sharp increase in ethnic diversity has questioned the relevance of many structures, policies, and practices that were based on the premise of ethnic/cultural homogeneity of populations in such countries. Based on several years of extensive research on this topic in Canada, this book offers an image, in which ethnic diversity is associated positively with social goods. In particular, the study reported here shows that Canada does not seem to have suffered from the rising diversity. The findings also suggest that the key element that can translate diversity into positive outcomes is an increased social interaction - and not merely an inter-cultural understanding - among people of diverse backgrounds."--GoogleBooks.

Examines the complex and disturbing history of immigration and racism in Canada. This book covers themes including Native/non-Native contact, migration and settlement in the nineteenth century, immigrant workers and radicalism, human rights, internment during WWII, and racism.