Enhancing the Welcoming Capacity of Windsor Essex

Transcription

1 University f Windsr Schlarship at UWindsr Scilgy, Anthrplgy, and Criminlgy Publicatins Department f Scilgy, Anthrplgy and Criminlgy Fall Enhancing the Welcming Capacity f Windsr Essex Glynis Gerge Univeristy f Windsr Jane S. Ku University f Windsr Erwin Selims University f Windsr Fllw this and additinal wrks at: Part f the Anthrplgy Cmmns, and the Scilgy Cmmns Recmmended Citatin Gerge, Glynis; Ku, Jane S.; and Selims, Erwin. (2014). Enhancing the Welcming Capacity f Windsr Essex. This Unpublished Paper is brught t yu fr free and pen access by the Department f Scilgy, Anthrplgy and Criminlgy at Schlarship at UWindsr. It has been accepted fr inclusin in Scilgy, Anthrplgy, and Criminlgy Publicatins by an authrized administratr f Schlarship at UWindsr. Fr mre infrmatin, please cntact schlarship@uwindsr.ca.

2 Enhancing the Welcming Capacity f Windsr Essex Dr. Glynis Gerge, Dr. Jane Ku, Erwin Selims Final Reprt Cmmunity Partnership Study: Multicultural Cuncil f Windsr Essex, Suth Essex Cmmunity Cuncil University f Windsr: Dr. Glynis Gerge, Dr. Jane Ku, Erwin Selims Funded by the Ontari Trillium Fundatin

3 Executive Summary Purpse f Research Study The main gals f this research study were t: Highlight the range and cmplexity f experiences f welcming amng newcmers and immigrants living in Windsr Essex Initiate further dialgue abut the state f Windsr Essex s welcming capacity Prvide useful directin fr enhancing the welcming capacity f Windsr Essex t newcmers and immigrants We explred the welcming capacity f Windsr Essex by examining several imprtant benchmarks as utlined by Esses et al (2010), Characteristics f a Welcming Cmmunity. Psitive cmmunity attitudes tward immigrants, cultural diversity, and the presence f newcmers in the cmmunity Links between main actrs wrking tward welcming cmmunities Presence f diverse religius and cultural rganizatins Scial engagement pprtunities Opprtunities fr the use f public space and recreatinal facilities Favurable media cverage and representatin Majr Findings Our analysis revealed a cmplex picture f Windsr Essex s welcming capacity. Immigrants and newcmers demnstrated specific needs and experiences tied t their status as new residents. Hwever, differences between immigrants and newcmers were ften cnsiderable that they shuld nt always be lumped tgether. Furthermre, many immigrants and newcmers share with ther nn-immigrant residents a sense f exclusin due t factrs such as pverty, unemplyment, and lack f transprtatin. Windsr Essex demnstrates sme capacity fr fstering immigrant and newcmer belnging in all benchmarks. But these capacities are uneven and there are cnsiderable gaps. There are psitive perceptins twards immigrants and multiculturalism, and supprt fr an inclusive cmmunity. Hwever, there seems t be lack f deep cmmitment r sense f respnsibility twards welcming immigrants. There is a lack f cngruence between what mainstream actrs and newcmers see in terms f hw well services are crdinated t supprt a welcming cmmunity. The presence f religius and cultural rganizatins was a surce f multicultural pride. These rganizatins prvide imprtant scial supprt fr newcmers. Hwever, religius and cultural rganizatins are nt well cnnected t mainstream service prviders and settlement agencies. 1

4 Newcmers demnstrate limited pprtunities fr scial engagement with lng-term Windsr residents. Newcmers pprtunities t use public space and recreatinal facilities are relatively narrw and limited. Public spaces are well used by immigrants, particularly public parks. But access t public spaces cntinues t present barriers, financially and scially. Immigrants are nt well represented in public spaces nr are they seen as rightful ccupiers f public spaces. Immigrants express frustratin with hw they are prtrayed in the media. Hwever, these frustratins can be harnessed t wrk in line with media utlets expressed desire t include immigrant perspectives. Much wrk is required t ensure mre realistic cverage and representatin f newcmers and visible minrities. There is a lack f knwledge in ur sciety abut newcmers and immigrants. Recmmendatins The welcming f newcmers requires the supprt f the whle cmmunity and there is sme ways t g befre we get there. Prmte the creatin and implementatin f a cmmunity-based strategy twards welcming immigrants that: Reflects a cmmitment t advancing welcming Acknwledges and includes immigrant issues int all civic and public sectr institutins and issues Is flexible, sensitive, apprpriate, and sectr-specific Includes immigrant participatin in the design and implementatin f the strategy Is flexible t adapt t changing immigrant patterns Includes r supprts a cmmunicatins plan t fster relatins with media and t cultivate a mre diverse depictin f the city and cunty Invlves the crdinatin and planning f strategies, and the sharing f resurces t maximize the cmmunity apprach Supprts the wrk f the Windsr Essex Lcal Immigratin Partnership Encurages diverse stakehlders t recgnize and acknwledge their wn stake and leadership in welcming immigrants and bringing tgether diverse stakehlders Prmtes scial netwrking and engagement pprtunities that integrate newcmers and lng term residents Prvides pprtunities fr decisin making and representatin amng newcmers and lng term residents Encurages the city and municipalities t take a greater leadership rle in advancing welcming and belnging and the scial planning it requires 2

5 Cntext f the Research Prject: Setting the Scene In the last decade Windsr Essex has undergne significant changes that have rendered it a regin in transitin. An ecnmic dwnturn and larger glbal ecnmic changes have challenged the extent t which Windsr Essex can supprt its current ppulatin. Currently, scial and ecnmic develpment initiatives are underway that are attempting t refashin the regin s that it can thrive and prsper in the cntext f 21 st century glbalizatin. It is nt enugh t understand that newcmers and immigrants play an imprtant rle in the verall develpment and future f the regin. We need t explre hw immigrants are incrprated int Canada and their neighburhds by explring the dynamic between urban capacity, multicultural engagement, and cultural diversity (Abu-Laban & Nieguth, 2000; Das Gupta, 1999; Dua, 1999; Gilbert & Wd, 2005; Isin & Siemiatycki, 1999; Landlt et al., 2009; Reitz & Bannerjee, 2007; Rland & Wng, 2010; Vernis, 2006). This prject is thus rted in recent plicy shifts that aim t nurture belnging and enhance welcming capacity in secnd-tier cities in Ontari and Canada (Andrew et al., 2012; Esses et al., 2010; Vatz Laarusii & Waltn-Rberts, 2005; Le & August, 2009; Tssutti & Esses, n.d.;waltn- Rberts, 2005; Wigintn, 2012; Wulff et al., 2008). Windsr Essex is ne f mre than 16 reginal areas where federal initiatives have directed their attentin in the effrt t build immigrant capacity and supprt the welcming f immigrants. Many recgnize that immigrants have much t ffer and that the settlement, integratin, and welcming f immigrants requires cnsiderable investment and cmmunity capacity-building. This research prject was part f a cmmunity-wide initiative between the University f Windsr, Department f Scilgy, Anthrplgy, and Criminlgy, the Multicultural Cuncil f Windsr and Essex Cunty, and the Suth Essex Cmmunity Cuncil. It emerged frm the Windsr Essex Lcal Immigratin Partnership s strategic bjective 3 Strengthen Lcal Awareness and Capacity t Integrate Immigrants (Windsr Essex Lcal Immigratin Partnership, Windsr Essex Lcal Immigratin Partnership Actin Plan, 2013). WELIP acted as a cmmunity partner supprting the research thrughut the prject. The Ontari Trillium fundatin funded this research. Three gals animated this prject: t draw attentin t the range and cmplexity f experiences f welcming amng newcmers and immigrants living in Windsr Essex; t initiate dialgue abut the regin`s capacity t welcme newcmers and immigrants; and t suggest ways fr enhancing Windsr Essex`s welcming capacity. Specifically, this study evaluates the welcming capacity f Windsr Essex by examining several imprtant benchmarks as utlined by Esses et al (2010) in their reprt entitled Characteristics f a Welcming Cmmunity. These benchmarks include: Psitive cmmunity attitudes tward immigrants, cultural diversity, and the presence f newcmers in the cmmunity 3

6 Links between main actrs wrking tward welcming cmmunities Presence f diverse religius and cultural rganizatins Scial engagement pprtunities Opprtunities fr the use f public space and recreatinal facilities Favurable media cverage and representatin Althugh these benchmarks represent distinct categries f analysis, in practice they are all interrelated. Fr example, cmmunity attitudes tward immigrants may be impacted by the degree f intercultural scial cnnectins fund in a cmmunity r by the prevalence f psitive and negative media representatins. At partnership meetings it was established that the research prject shuld fcus bradly n immigrants (primarily newcmers) and mainstream stakehlders acrss varius dmains, which are categrized as: BIA (Ecnmic Develpment) Cmmunity Revitalizatin Emplyers Settlement Educatin Scial Services Ethnic Organizatins Pverty Organizatins Health Legal Municipal Hw t Read this Reprt This reprt des nt ffer sectr-wide evaluatins, assessments, r inventries f services and access. But it des highlight sme f the gaps and difficulties raised thrugh ur cnsultatins. In this reprt, we highlight hw each benchmark is experienced by newcmers t the regin, discuss the barriers that limit Windsr Essex`s welcming capacity, and pint t areas that require further understanding and research. Prpsed recmmendatins are intended t be taken up by a range f stakehlders and we encurage municipalities, mainstream service prviders, and rganizatins t take a leadership rle in this prcess. Wrking Definitins A welcming cmmunity can be cnceptualized as a cllective effrt t create a place where individuals feel valued and included (Esses et al, 2010). It is a cmmunitarian apprach that cnceptualizes immigrant belnging as the respnsibility f the whle cmmunity, and nt just that f the immigrant. A welcming framewrk resnates with effrts t enhance the capacity f smaller cities 4

7 t attract and retain immigrants. Building a welcming cmmunity requires that the federal, prvincial, and municipal gvernments, as well as lcal residents and immigrants themselves share the respnsibilities in engaging with immigrant settlement (Esses & Tssutti, n.d.; Wigintn, 2012). T understand hw belnging may be develped, we include definitins f the specific ways in which we can view belnging. Belnging refers t bth a sense f self and identity, and the affective, scial, plitical, and ecnmic ties that link individuals and grups t diverse dmains f cmmunity life (May, 2011). This study builds n the insight that a sense f belnging is based n mre than available language r settlement services. Rather, cultivating a sense f belnging requires inclusin int activities and events which represent the heart f a cmmunity. We identify mainstream and immigrant as tw main categries f participants in this prject. Hwever, these categries ften verlap. Mainstream participants are thse wh represent agencies whse services are directed tward a brader public. These categries are als plitically prblematic in cnstructing immigrants as nn-mainstream. An immigrant, n the ther hand, is anyne wh mved t Canada frm anther cuntry. We als differentiate between newcmer immigrants and immigrants. A newcmer immigrant is defined as smene wh has mved t Canada frm anther cuntry within the last five years. A newcmer is als a categry defined by Citizenship and Immigratin Canada as smene wh has nt yet been able t apply fr citizenship status and remains eligible fr settlement services. 5

8 Prfile f Immigratin t Windsr Essex Lcated in Suthwestern Ontari, the regin f Windsr and Essex Cunty is cmprised f the City f Windsr and seven cunty municipalities including Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshre, LaSalle, Leamingtn, and Tecumseh. Accrding t mst recent census data, the regin has a ppulatin f 381, 350. The majrity f residents live in the City f Windsr (209, 218). Lakeshre, with a ppulatin f 28, 746, is the largest municipality in the cunty, fllwed by Leamingtn (27, 138), LaSalle (25, 285), Tecumseh (24, 289), Amherstburg (20, 339), Essex (20, 085), and Kingsville (19, 619). Windsr Essex has a rich and deep cultural histry. Prir t the arrival f Eurpeans Windsr Essex was inhabited by First Natins peple. The regin became a central site f bth French and English clnizatin f Nrth America. As a receptin site fr black slaves bth befre and after the American Civil War, the Undergrund Railrad als figures imprtantly in lcal histrical accunts f the regin. Thrughut the 20 th century, many immigrants arrived t wrk in the burgening manufacturing sectr and its related spin-ff industries. Between the 1960 and 1990s, many Eurpean immigrants, including British, French, Italians, Greeks and varius Eastern Eurpean grups arrived in the regin. This perid als saw the arrival f immigrants frm the Middle East, mst ntably Lebann. By the mid-1980s, in line with natinal immigratin trends, an increasing amunt f immigrants frm nn- Eurpean cuntries began arriving in the regin. Since the late-1970s, seasnal agricultural farm wrkers, particularly frm Mexic and Jamaica, have als been cming t regin under the parameter f the Seasnal Agricultural Wrkers Prgram t wrk in the regin`s greenhuse industries. Althugh nt permanent residence, seasnal agricultural wrkers make imprtant cntributins t lcal life, especially in the cunty (Bask, 2004). The diversity f immigratin past and present is reflected in the linguistic, religius, and ethnic diversity that cmprises Windsr Essex tday and makes it exemplary f multicultural Canada. The mst frequently spken language at hme in Windsr Essex is English, while the mst cmmn nnfficial languages include Arabic, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese (n..s.), and Serbian (Census f Canada, 2011). Accrding t 2011 Census data, 44.5% f residents in Windsr Essex are Cathlics. The next fur largest religius affiliatins include Anglican (5.5%), United Church (4.8%), Muslim (4.2%), and Other Christians (9.9). 1 It is imprtant t nte that these designatins d nt illustrate imprtant distinctins within each categry. Accrding t the 2009 Windsr Essex Cunty Health Unit s Ppulatin Reprt, ver 40, 000 residents reprted f being either f British r French rigin, and 28, 000 as either f Italian r German rigin. Apprximately, 35, 000 reprted Canadian as their ethnic rigin (p. 26). These numbers d nt take int accunt thse wh identify as having several ethnic rigins. Windsr Essex als has a large visible minrity ppulatin, many f whm were brn in the area r in Canada. Arabs represent the largest visible minrity grup in Windsr Essex, fllwed by Suth Asians, Chinese, and blacks respectively (Census f Canada, 2011). Similar t issues with religin, the categries f visible minrity des nt take int accunt the many differences within grups with respect t religius affiliatin, ethnic rigin, and place f birth. 6

9 Windsr Essex s immigrant ppulatin Windsr Essex remains an imprtant immigratin site in Ontari, ften cited as the prvince s mst imprtant secnd-tier immigrant settlement destinatin (Windsr Essex Lcal Immigratin Partnership, 2010, p. 14). Windsr Essex s ttal immigrant ppulatin is 81, 730, meaning that 21.4% f all residents in Windsr and Essex Cunty were brn utside f Canada. Almst 70% f immigrants in Windsr Essex reside in the City f Windsr. Cmmunities in the cunty, especially Leamingtn, have sizeable immigrant ppulatins. Figure 1 utlines the distributin f immigrants based n municipality f residence. Figure 1: Distributin f immigrants in Windsr Essex based n municipality f residence Surce: Census f Canada, 2011 LaSalle: 4,565 Leamingtn: Tecumseh: 6,980 Pelee: 0 3,955 Lakeshre: 3,290 Kingsville: 2,845 Essex: 1,610 Amherstburg: 2,120 City f Windsr: 56,355 Recent immigrants t the regin tend t reside in City f Windsr. Fr example, between 2006 and 2011, Windsr Essex received 10, 140 immigrants. Eighty-three percent f these mre recent immigrants mved t the City f Windsr. Figure 2 utlines the number f immigrants arriving in Windsr Essex between 2006 and 2011 based n municipality f residence. 7

10 Figure 2: Number f immigrants in Windsr Essex based n municipality f residence, Surce: Census f Canada, 2011 Tecumseh: 130 LaSalle: 265 Lakeshre: 135 Kingsville: 145 Essex: 40 Amherstburg: 250 Leamingtn: 730 Pelee: 0 City f Windsr: 8,450 Perid f arrival Nearly half f Windsr Essex s current immigrant ppulatin arrived after As Figure 3 demnstrates, 26% percent f all freign-brn residents wh currently live in Windsr Essex came t the regin befre 1971, 26% arrived between 1971 and 1990; 47.9% came between 1991 and Figure 3: Immigrant ppulatin f Windsr Essex by perid f arrival Surce: Census f Canada, 2011 Befre

11 Surce cuntries Immigrants living in Windsr Essex cme frm all ver the wrld. The United States, Italy, the United Kingdm, Lebann, Mexic, Iraq, India, and China represent the majr surce cuntries f all immigrants t Windsr Essex, regardless f year f arrival. Hwever, the majr surce cuntries f immigrants arriving t the regin between 2006 and 2011 has shifted t include the United States, Iraq, China, India, Philippines, Mexic, Pakistan, and Haiti (Census f Canada, 2011). Immigrants frm Mexic differ frm immigrants frm ther surce cuntries in that they are mre likely t settle in Leamingtn rather than the City f Windsr. Figures 4 and 5 demnstrate these imprtant shifts in surce cuntries Figure 4: Majr surce cuntries f immigrants t Windsr Essex Surce: Census f Canada, 2011 US Italy UK Lebann Mexic Iraq India China Figure 5: Majr surce cuntries f immigrants t Windsr Essex, Surce: Census f Canada, 2011 US Iraq China India Phillipines Mexic Pakistan Haiti 9

12 It is imprtant t nte that the categry majr surce cuntry des nt reflect the diversity f immigrants living in Windsr Essex. In rder t demnstrate this diversity, here is a brief list f the surce cuntries f sme f the peple we spke t during ur research prject: Smalia, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Venezuela, Lebann, Iraq, Pland, Bangladesh, Iran, Burma, Ukraine, Israel, Ksv, The Demcratic Republic f Cng, Jrdan, Argentina, Mexic, Senegal, El Salvadr, Armenia, Syria, Ethipia, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Hungary, Nigeria, Mexic, Haiti, Cratia, Uzbekistan, Jrdan, Philippines, Rwanda, the United States f America, Germany, Palestine, and Rmania. Several participants were stateless befre receiving Canadian citizenship. Finally, a list f surce cuntry als des nt fully explain differences regarding sciecnmic status, ethnicity, language, and religin amng immigrants wh may cme frm the same cuntry f rigin. Migratin Pathways, Settlement Services, and Settlement Supprts Newcmers t Windsr Essex cme t the regin thrugh varius migratin pathways, immigratin channels, and gvernment prgrams. Many cme as ecnmic immigrants, while thers may be spnsred by family members r arrive thrugh Canada s live-in care prgram. Sme are placed here, as is the case fr sme gvernment-assisted refugees. Many newcmers cme directly t Windsr Essex, while thers mve t the regin after having already lived in ther parts f Canada. Many immigrants t Windsr Essex have lived in multiple cuntries even befre taking up residency in Canada. Thus, Windsr Essex may represent ne settlement destinatin amng many. When newcmers arrive in Windsr Essex, they are ften directed either fficially r thrugh infrmal cnnectins t varius agencies that prvide settlement services. It is in ne r mre f these sites that newcmer immigrants access services that are designed t build their capacity and, at the same time, scialize them t Canadian values. The main settlement service prviders in Windsr Essex include Windsr Wmen Wrking with Immigrant wmen (W5), The Multicultural Cuncil f Windsr and Essex Cunty (MCC);; The New Canadians Centre fr Excellence, Inc. (NCCE, Inc.), Suth Essex Cmmunity Cuncil (SECC), YMCA, Wmen s Enterprise Skills Training f Windsr, Inc., (WEST), the Unemplyed Help Center, and Cllege Breal (the latter prvides settlement services in French). Mst f these settlement rganizatins are clustered in dwntwn Windsr. Sme have satellite ffices in strategic lcatins thrughut the city and the cunty. One rganizatin is lcated in Leamingtn. These settlement rganizatins are nw jined by ther rganizatins (i.e., schl bards, clleges and university, and ther cmmunity rganizatins), ften in cllabratin, in prviding key services t newcmers. The diversificatin f settlement services acrss varius rganizatins makes the distinctin f settlement and mainstream increasingly cmplex and verlapping. Language classes frm the bulk f settlement funding, but there is als significant fcus n citizenship and emplyability training. The majrity f settlement and language prgrams are funded by Citizenship and Immigratin Canada (CIC). CIC guidelines define service eligibility and prgram parameters. Settlement services are largely directed twards newcmers, wh are defined by CIC as 10

13 smene wh has nt yet been able t apply fr citizenship status and remains eligible fr settlement services. The Ontari Ministry f Citizenship and Immigratin als funds prgrams related t settlement, as well as an array f prgrams ffered t all eligible residents in Ontari, including access t health care and educatin. Newcmers are entitled t many scial supprts ffered utside f the settlement sectr, including childcare subsidies, access t husing supprt prgrams, and emplyment and financial assistance. These prgrams play an imprtant rle in newcmer settlement experiences and are delivered by the City f Windsr, which serves as the service system manager fr residents f the City f Windsr and the Cunty. 11

14 Explring the Benchmarks In rder t assess Windsr Essex s welcming capacity in relatin t the identified benchmarks, we utilized a multi-methd research apprach which included: A. In-depth interviews and fcus grups with newcmers and immigrants B. In-depth interviews with key sectr stakehlders C. Analyses f lcal media D. A survey f mainstream rganizatins E. Dcument review The bjective f the research was t elicit the cmplexity f issues, perceptins and practices that infrm the welcming prcess and the varius and verlapping categries that cnstitute immigratin and Canadian multiculturalism. The use f these varius methds allwed fr a research apprach that culd capture the dynamic relatinship between systemic issues and the subjective experiences f newcmers and immigrants themselves. A. Interviews and Fcus Grups with Newcmers and Immigrants t Windsr-Essex We cnducted 54 in-depth interviews and 11 fcus grups with newcmers and immigrants t Windsr-Essex. Interview and fcus grup participants were recruited thrugh settlement service agencies in bth the City f Windsr and the cunty. Thrugh bth interviews and fcus grups, we spke with a ttal f 140 newcmers and immigrants t the regin. This represents a relatively large number fr a qualitative study. Hwever, we wanted t include and cnsider the significant diversity f experiences, backgrunds, and identificatins that characterize immigrants t Windsr Essex. Our sample was in n way intended t be representative f all immigrant experiences in Windsr Essex. The stries shared with us build up a strng and rich picture f the cmplexities f newcmer experiences f welcming and belnging t the regin. Drawing n the selected benchmarks, interviews and fcus grups were designed t explre participants everyday experiences f living in Windsr Essex. Tpics f discussin included reasns fr mving t Windsr, family, friends, emplyment experiences, perceptins f the cmmunity, experiences with varius lcal institutins (e.g., schls, scial services, immigratin services), leisure activities, use f public space, attitudes tward multiculturalism, and feelings f belnging. As mentined abve, Windsr Essex attracts a sizeable ppulatin f migrant agricultural wrkers wh tend t live and wrk in the cunty, primarily in the greenhuse agricultural industry. Their experiences were nt included in this study. Hwever, their presence des have a significant impact n hw welcming and immigrants are viewed in the cunty and particular twns such as Leamingtn. 12

15 B. Mainstream and Settlement Sectr Interviews In additin t immigrant and newcmer interviews and fcus grups, we cnducted 65 interviews with sectr-specific representatives and cmmunity leaders. Thrugh these interviews we talked t a ttal f 73 peple representing rganizatins frm bth the city and cunty in the fllwing sectrs: business imprvement assciatins, cmmunity revitalizatin grups, lcal emplyers, pst-secndary educatinal institutins, ethn-cultural rganizatins, hspitals and cmmunity-based health rganizatins, legal rganizatins, settlement services, varius departments f municipal gvernments in bth the city and cunty, scial services, unin/labur rganizatins, and ecnmic and wrkfrce develpment agencies. Similar t ur newcmer interviewees, mainstream and settlement sectr representatives demnstrated a range f cnnectins t the Windsr Essex regin. Many f ur mainstream and settlement sectr participants were themselves brn and raised in Windsr r Essex Cunty, thers were brn in Canada but utside Windsr-Essex, and still sme were themselves immigrants t Canada. Drawing n the selected benchmarks and gals f the prject, we asked participants t share their perceptins n the welcming capacity f Windsr Essex and explre the challenges and pprtunities f linking newcmers t mainstream rganizatins and residents f Windsr Essex in rder t enhance its welcming capacity. C. Lcal Media Analysis One way f explring issues f representatin is t analyze the way multiculturalism, cultural diversity, and immigrants and newcmers are depicted in lcal mainstream media (see Benchmark 6). As the nly daily newspaper in circulatin in the regin, the Windsr Star is a key surce f infrmatin abut lcal issues and events and an imprtant resurce fr cmmunity knwledge. The Windsr Star has been circulating in the regin fr the past 123 years. Currently, it is ffered in print and nline, and publishes six days a week. Accrding t jint research cnducted by the Canadian Newspaper Assciatin and the Canadian Cmmunity Newspaper Assciatin, in 2012 the Windsr Star circulated n average 313, 017 print newspapers per week. Accrding t its wn website, the Windsr Star enjys n an nline visitr base f 219, 000 (Newspapers Canada, n.d.). T assess representatins f newcmers and immigrants, we perfrmed tw types f analyses n the Windsr Star: 1. Representatins f Multiculturalism A database search f the newspaper, using the keywrd multiculturalism, was cnducted. The database search revealed that 204 articles cntaining the wrd multiculturalism appeared in the Windsr Star between January 1, 2006 and December 31, Frm these 204 articles, 85 editrials, clumns, and letters t the editr were selected fr in-depth thematic analysis. The purpse f this analysis was t identify hw multiculturalism was framed in relatin t Windsr Essex as a place. 13

16 2. Representatins f immigrants and refugees A database search f the Windsr Star, using the keywrds immigrant, and refugee, was als cnducted. The database search revealed that 2017 articles cntaining the wrd immigrant and 1255 articles cntaining the wrd refugee appeared in the Windsr Star between January 1, 2006 and December 31, Frm these, 306 and 153 editrials, cmmentaries, and pinin pieces cntaining the keywrd immigrant and refugee respectively were subjected t a thematic analysis. The purpse f this analysis was t identify the ways immigratin and refugee migratin was framed in relatin t Windsr Essex as a place. D. Survey In cllabratin with ur partners, we distributed a shrt survey t lcal rganizatins. The survey cnsisted f 25 questins that explred the degree t which rganizatins acrss sectrs interface with immigrants and newcmers, hw rganizatins in Windsr Essex engage in utreach t immigrants and newcmers, and the level f mainstream rganizatinal cmmitment t diversity and inclusin. Respndents were recruited thrugh the Multicultural Cuncil f Windsr Essex s netwrk-base via slicitatin. A ttal f 72 rganizatins frm bth the city and the cunty representing the varius target sectrs fr this research prject cmpleted the survey. E. Dcument Review We als cnducted systematic review f plicy dcuments, cmmunity reprts, and academic jurnal articles. Dcument review served several purpses fr this research prject. First, it enabled us t establish general trends in settlement and immigrant integratin in Canada and Ontari, and better understand the verall plicy cntext within which welcming initiatives are embedded. Secnd, it prvided us with the pprtunity t explre hw ther regins, cmmunities, and municipalities, bth similar and different t Windsr Essex, have sught t encurage immigrant retentin and belnging at the lcal level, allwing us t cmpile examples f prmising practices in welcming newcmers and immigrants (see recmmendatins). 14

17 Benchmark 1: Psitive cmmunity attitudes tward immigrants, cultural diversity, and the presence f newcmers in the cmmunity Defining the Six Benchmarks Psitive attitudes can be seen in feelings, pinins, and/r behaviurs tward newcmers. They are imprtant t cnsider because attitudes can determine the public s reactins tward newcmers (Esses et al., 2010, p. 34). Benchmark 2: Links between main actrs wrking tward welcming cmmunities Benchmark 3: Presence f diverse religius and cultural rganizatins Benchmark 4: Scial engagement pprtunities Benchmark 5: Opprtunities fr the use f public space and recreatinal facilities Benchmark 6: Favurable media cverage and representatin Links refer t cnnectins that invlve cperatin, infrmatin, and resurce sharing. Main actrs wh can shape a welcming cmmunity include cmmunity members, service prviding rganizatins, reginal gvernments (e.g., municipalities), and prvincial and federal gvernments (Esses et al., 2010, p. 44). Mre than ever, the presence f religius rganizatins shuld be cnsidered when describing the characteristics f a welcming cmmunity. In fact... participatin in religius services was fund t be an imprtant predictr f whether immigrants indicated that their expectatins had been met in Canada, and whether they wuld make the decisin t cme t Canada again (Esses et al., 2010, p. 66). Scial engagement pprtunities are clsely linked t scial netwrking because they represent cnnectins with cmmunity members. In the absence f family r friends, tw types f cnnectins serve as primary surces f assistance scial engagement and netwrking prviding infrmal access t infrmatin and scial supprt (Esses et al., 2010, p. 69). Public spaces and facilities such as parks, twn squares, public libraries, and public cmmunity/recreatin facilities are areas that, by definitin, are pen and accessible t all cmmunity members. Use f public space and participatin in cmmunity/recreatin centres are imprtant because they prvide pprtunities fr newcmers t becme integrated int the cmmunity (Esses et al, 2010, p. 86). Media is best described as a medium where infrmatin is shared and cmmunicated, and includes radi, televisin, newspapers, and internet surces. The media is als used fr the purpse f disseminating (and nt just exchanging) infrmatin. The pwer f mass media rests in its ability t (1) influence recipients perceptins f newcmers and immigratin, and (2) act as a tl that immigrants and refugees can use t gain infrmatin and t gauge sciety s perceptins f newcmers (Esses et al., 2010, p. 90) 0

18 FINDINGS The fllwing sectin utlines the majr findings f ur research. We rganize the findings accrding t the specified benchmarks that guided this study. After presenting the majr themes that emerged frm ur research, recmmendatins are prvided. Please nte that pseudnyms were used fr all qutatins prvided in this sectin. 0

19 Benchmark 1: Psitive cmmunity attitudes tward immigrants, cultural diversity, and the presence f newcmers in the cmmunity Psitive attitudes can be seen in feelings, pinins, and/r behaviurs tward newcmers. They are imprtant t cnsider because attitudes can determine the public s reactins tward newcmers (Esses et al., 2010, p. 34). Mainstream Multiculturalism and Diversity Majrity f participants supprted multiculturalism, viewed diversity as a psitive feature f Canadian sciety, recgnized the cultural diversity f Windsr-Essex, and identified diversity as a psitive feature f the regin. Hwever, a small number f participants perceived multiculturalism as a superficial cmmitment t diversity. They expressed that a cmmitment t multiculturalism required addressing systemic frms f inequality such pverty, sexism, and racism. Amng thse in the business sectr diversity f skill mre s than cultural diversity was seen as an imprtant attribute fr business success. The Carusel f Natins festival was highlighted as an imprtant event celebrating the cultural diversity f Windsr-Essex. Hwever, sme felt that such a festival tkenized r exticized minrity cultures. Perceptins f the Welcming Nature f Windsr Essex Mst wh self-identified as Windsrites felt that the City f Windsr and Essex Cunty twns were very welcming places. Windsr Essex was described as a place where everyne knws everyne and where yu meet peple yu knw n a daily r weekly basis. Mst wh were nt brn in Windsr wh either came as immigrants r frm elsewhere in Canada felt that Windsr Essex was less welcming. Fr example, they described the City f Windsr was a hard twn t break int and that it tk many years t feel a part f Windsr. Of this grup, several identified that after many years f residence they NOW felt very cnnected and, hence, viewed Windsr Essex as a very welcming place. Immigrants, Immigratin and Immigrant Integratin Knwledge abut immigrants and newcmers was quite limited. Hwever, a minrity f participants were quite knwledgeable abut newcmer issues and challenges. Sme participants themselves were immigrants and drew n their wn experiences f settlement when discussing issues f immigratin and settlement. Many saw attracting and retaining prfessinal and skilled immigrants as 1

20 an imprtant means f creating glbal ecnmic cnnectins and revitalizing the city. While the business mdel apprach twards immigrants was largely favured, several participants pinted ut that it was nt mutually exclusive f a scial, humanitarian apprach twards immigrants. They pinted ut that a business apprach shuld nt undercut ur attentin t the scial and cultural cntext f immigrant experiences and the scial and cultural resurces that immigrants bring t the regin. Many participants supprted the idea that the integratin f immigrants was a tw-way street that required effrts frm bth mainstream actrs and newcmers themselves. Hwever, mst saw immigrant integratin, including the actual wrk f integratin, t be primarily the respnsibility f immigrants and immigrant-serving agencies. The scial exclusin f and persistent negative cmmunity attitudes tward migrant wrkers in the cunty were highlighted by sme as a majr nging cncern. Recgnitin in Cultural Life While mst had psitive cmmunity attitudes twards multiculturalism and diversity, there was significant ambivalence and differing views abut diversity as a key feature f Windsr as a city. Several respndents, particularly thse wh viewed themselves as visible minrities r were immigrants themselves, indicated that they did nt feel recgnized as part f the cultural fabric f Windsr. Fr example, they cmmented n the absence f diversity in mainstream wrkplaces r feeling like an utsider during casual walks alng the riverfrnt. Many recgnized that ethn-cultural diversity r immigrants were nt represented r visibly present in their neighburhds, wrkplaces r scial netwrks. Sme mainstream actrs expressed feeling uncmfrtable when migrant farm wrkers cngregated in public spaces, while thers recgnized the cntributins migrant wrkers make t the lcal cmmunity. Newcmers and Immigrants Perceptins and Experiences f Multiculturalism and Cultural Diversity Many cnveyed that multiculturalism was a key feature f Canadian sciety that made them feel psitive twards their decisin t settle in 2

21 Canada. Sme newcmers expressed enjyment in meeting peple frm ther cultures and natins. Many als expressed learning `hw t act in multicultural settings. Others came frm cuntries that were culturally diverse and were already accustmed t living in diverse settings. Perceptins f the Welcming Nature f Windsr Essex Immigrants expressed a range f perceptins n the welcming nature f Windsr Essex. Sme expressed feeling welcmed in Windsr and cmmented n the friendly nature f Windsr s residents. Hwever, many viewed this friendliness as smewhat superficial. Others relayed stries f street-level discriminatin thrugh name calling, funny-lks, and being tld t g back hme. Sme highlighted experiences f emplyment discriminatin r difficulties in finding emplyment as cntributing t feelings f being unwelcmed. Many immigrants felt excluded frm the cultural life, while thers lauded Windsr s inclusiveness. Immigrant yuth expressed ambivalence abut their future in the regin. Sme saw Windsr as a welcming place in which they saw themselves building a future, while thers did nt. Lack f jb pprtunities and discriminatin (r a cmbinatin f the tw) were mst ften cited by immigrant yuth as the reasns fr nt wanting t stay in Windsr. Fr sme discriminatin was nt unique t Windsr Essex but a general feature f Canadian sciety. The availability f immigrant and newcmer services was identified as a key feature in feeling welcmed. Overall, immigrants and newcmers were very cmplimentary f settlement services. Immigrants, Immigratin and Immigrant Integratin Mst respndents understd, and many emphasized, the imprtance f integrating int Canadian and lcal scial and cultural life. Yet, many held cnflicting views n what integratin means in practice. They recgnized tensins and cnveyed the imprtance f balancing key cultural values and ways f living with Canadian scial and cultural life. 3

22 A minrity expressed the mre dynamic view that integratin is a twway street that requires the engagement f lng-time residents and stakehlders. Very few were critical f the imperative t integrate. Securing emplyment was seen by mst as the key pathway t integratin. Recgnitin in Cultural Life Many cnveyed a strng sense f respnsibility fr depicting r representing themselves in psitive ways t the cmmunity. The presence f diverse cultural grups made sme immigrants feel that they were represented in the cultural life f Windsr. Sme felt that they were nt fully included in the cultural life f Windsr Essex. These participants described Windsr as a particularly white space, where Canadian-brn residents represented the center f cmmunity life and visible minrities and immigrants represented the utside r periphery. Several immigrants felt very cmfrtable living in smaller cmmunities in Essex Cunty. Hwever, discussin f immigratin in the cunty was ften vershadwed by the presence f seasnal agricultural wrkers. Sme newcmers wh lived in the cunty reprted nt wanting t be perceived as migrant wrkers What Immigrants Said: The cmmunity can help yu: The YMCA cmmunity, Five (W5) cmmunity, language cmmunity, library cmmunity. Everyplace that I can g is cmmunity. The cmmunity helps yu and I am very prud [f] Windsr. Because I was nt treated badly. (Hussein, Smalia) Even here peple are s busy with their wn...yu d yur thing and they are nt harassing yu... [I]t s nt like yu re nt welcme r smething like that. It s just individuals ding yur wn thing. It takes time fr me t really understand whether we are welcme r nt welcme. When yu are in clse cntact yu cme t knw these things, whether yu re accepted in the grup r nt. There is assimilatin at different levels. They say smething like inner circle/ uter. When it cmes t just accepting as friends and all, [that] is a different issue all tgether. When yu have t be a part f their distinct grup, an inner grup, then it becmes tugh. That acceptance is nt there. S there are different levels. It s nt a simple questin and 4

23 an answer. It ges int many aspects. (Jessica, India) Cncluding Themes There is a psitive perceptin twards immigrants and multiculturalism but this is smewhat thin. These views are nt well cnnected t knwledge f immigrants, immigrant issues r hw immigrants cntribute t the psitive characterizatin f Windsr Essex as a welcming regin. There is a general supprt fr an inclusive cmmunity in principle but very little in terms f an verall sense f respnsibility r cmmitment t welcming immigrants. Recmmendatins Stakehlders can take up the mantle f prmting in their wn spheres f life (beynd the settlement sectr) a greater awareness f the imprtance f a welcming cmmunity and the value f diversity. Psitive attitudes shuld be deepened and strengthened thrugh targeted, tailred initiatives that acknwledge and address systemic issues f racism, and the invisibility f immigrants and cultural diversity, build greater knwledge and understanding f immigrants and newcmers and advance the cntributin f immigrants t the cultural, scial and ecnmic fabric f Windsr Essex. 5

24 Benchmark 2: Links between main actrs wrking tward welcming cmmunities Links refer t cnnectins that invlve cperatin, infrmatin, and resurce sharing. Main actrs wh can shape a welcming cmmunity include cmmunity members, service prviding rganizatins, reginal gvernments (e.g., municipalities), and prvincial and federal gvernments. Because services are generally rganized in a vertical manner while integratin is hlistic, creating and maintaining links between these actrs shuld facilitate the settlement f newcmers and increase the likelihd f successful integratin within the cmmunity (Esses et al., 2010, p. 44). Mainstream Sectr sensitivity t newcmers and immigrants Sectrs demnstrated sme sensitivity t newcmer/immigrant issues, but mre s within the cmmunity r client-based arm f the sectrs: Legal sectr representatives demnstrated a significant awareness f legal and bureaucratic challenges immigrants face in their effrts t legitimate their status and claim entitlements. Health sectr representatives were keenly sensitive t varius barriers newcmers faced with respect t accessing health services. Many identified strategic effrts being taken t imprve health care access issues fr newcmers. There were several examples f awareness regarding specific culture practices and nrms regarding illness, wellness and familial nrms in caretaking. Recent initiatives within the municipality shw that increased sensitivity is n the radar screen particularly thrugh incme maintenance fficers fr specialized immigrant caselads in the Scial Services Department. But these culd be mre greatly integrated int a wider range f services and practices. Sme mainstream actrs wh themselves were immigrants, whse persnal histry was smehw cnnected t an immigratin experience, r wh had experiences wrking with immigrants ften advcated fr increasing their rganizatin s sensitivity t immigrant issues. But this advcacy was dne within the limited scpe f the rganizatin s mandate. Knwledge f immigrant issues and settlement sectr Knwledge f immigrant issues was very uneven. Thse in clser cntact with the issues r with immigrants as clients were mre likely t be knwledgeable than thse wh were nt. Overall hwever, mainstream actrs demnstrated partial r limited understanding f immigrant and newcmer issues. The client relatinship was the mst dminant lens thrugh which mainstream actrs understd immigrants. Many demnstrated a partial understanding f the lives n newcmers, and that newcmers where ften assciated with prblems 6

25 that needed t be addressed. There is limited knwledge amng mainstream actrs regarding what the settlement sectr des r hw the rules and practices that gvern settlement agencies limit their services t newcmers and immigrants. There is a gap in understanding f what newcmers are eligible fr, what settlement prvides t newcmers, and what happens t newcmers nce they are n lnger eligible fr settlement services. Cllabratins with settlement sectr Cllabratin between mainstream rganizatins and settlement sectr mst ften tk the frm f ne-t-ne partnerships with specific settlement rganizatins centered n specific initiatives. WELIP was mentined as an imprtant frum fr knwledge-exchange, netwrk develpment, and cllabratins. An integrated apprach t cllabratin was hampered by a rtatin f participants frm the mainstream sectr, and the absence f decisinmakers at the WELIP table. Stakehlders utside f settlement were nt as active in WELIP as the main settlement agencies. Sme wrkers assumed that the needs f immigrants and their specific cncerns are taken care f by the rganizatinal arm r a specific persn hired t tend t immigrant issues. Areas f verlap between settlement and mainstream rganizatins did nt appear t be clearly detailed r wrked thrugh. Wh is respnsible fr utreach, agenda-setting, specific initiatives, and practices regarding newcmers and immigrants? Hw is respnsibility t newcmers and immigrants built int the agendas f mainstream rganizatins? Hw newcmers/immigrants interface with mainstream rganizatins Newcmers interfaced with mainstream rganizatins primarily as service users r clients. Few rganizatins tracked newcmer/immigrant representatin f emplyees. Hwever, many described their wrkplace as diverse. Sme recgnized that newcmers and immigrants were under-represented n their bards, cmmittees, r wrking grups. 7

26 Many rganizatins participated in cultural cmpetency r sensitivity trainings. Newcmers and immigrants Perceptin f settlement services Newcmers were generally psitive and cmplimentary abut settlement services. Sme cmmented n receiving cntradictry infrmatin frm different settlement services. Links t Emplyment and Educatin Overwhelming Respnse: Newcmers expressed wanting mre help with linking t emplyment pprtunities, internships that prmised future emplyment, prfessinally-riented trainings, and/r educatinal pprtunities. Sme newcmers reprted lack f Canadian Experience as a majr reasn fr their unemplyment. Sme saw Canadian experience requirements as discriminatry. Sme newcmers reprted that lack f cnnectins mainstream netwrks and cultural insider knwledge as a majr reasn fr their unemplyment. Newcmers are willing t vlunteer in rder t btain the necessary knwhw, netwrks, r Canadian Experience t access emplyment. What Immigrants Said The services fr newcmers are wnderful. Yes, they are the best. Because these peple wrk fr the newcmers. They help newcmers, they make many things fr newcmers. If yu have a prblem they help yu. The peple here are wnderful, the best. But when yu g utside the schl t ther place yu have the barrier. It s nt the same. (Andres, Clumbia) I am here since first f September I started wrking as a vlunteer with Multicultural Cuncil, Children s Aid Sciety, Windsr Library, YMCA, New Canadian Centre f Excellence, ne thing was left, Windsr fire department, nw I am wrking with the Windsr fire department as well, as a vlunteer. And I want t wrk, I was wrking with United Way as well. I was in Windsr WEST [settlement rganizatin]. (Mhammed, Pakistan) Gd cmmunity ver here but main thing yu have t have the jb, prper jb... Yu have t get int a wrkplace r sme kind f invlvement in the city, smewhere s yu get t knw peple, yu feel that yu knw. That sense f belnging. S when yu are nt active in this kind f thing yu still feel yu are newcmer Welcming envirnment fr me? I lk at it this way. Peple cme fr pprtunity, thse pprtunities shuld be given t them... Then integratin becmes easier... Can I say I am a true Canadian, right nw? N. Maybe in the future. It all belngs dwn t the frnt level, then yu are prud f saying it, I am a Canadian and I am ding s well. 8

27 (Mhammed, Pakistan) They shuld, r I think, they shuld rganize sme prgrams, technical prgrams with where they [newcmers] can enrll. (Bishal, Nepal) Cncluding Themes There is a significant disparity between mainstream and immigrant participants` assessment f the linkages and interactins between mainstream and newcmers. Mainstream actrs mstly believe that they are sensitive t newcmers, and attempt t cllabrate with settlement rganizatins in rder t enhance welcming. Immigrants, despite the relatively lw level f expectatins frm mainstream services, see gaps in cmmunicatin, cllabratin and resurce sharing that limit their access t, fr example, emplyment netwrks. Recmmendatins Increase cmmunity capacity f sharing infrmatin and resurces thrugh greater knwledge and appreciatin f immigrant cntributins, nt just their needs. Prmte awareness f immigrants and newcmers as full members f the sciety in all spheres f life, nt just as clients. Build capacity within the mainstream rganizatins t integrate diverse immigrant perspectives, needs, and representatin thrugh the creatin f scial planning bdies and mre wide-ranging Cmmunity-based Advisry Cmmittees t supprt the WELIP. Encurage municipalities t play supprtive and the apprpriate leadership rle in this prcess. Prmte internship trainings that have direct links t future emplyment. 9

28 Benchmark 3: Presence f diverse religius and cultural rganizatins Mre than ever, the presence f religius rganizatins shuld be cnsidered when describing the characteristics f a welcming cmmunity. In fact... participatin in religius services was fund t be an imprtant predictr f whether immigrants indicated that their expectatins had been met in Canada, and whether they wuld make the decisin t cme t Canada again (Esses et al., 2010, p. 66). The research team hwever added the presence f ethn-cultural rganizatins t this benchmark. Mainstream Presence f religius rganizatins Many recgnized that gegraphical visibility f places f wrship is a symbl f Windsr s diversity. Many cited the presence f cultural rganizatins as evidence f the area s diversity and tlerance. Muslims were mst ften cited in the discussin f religius cmmunities. Sme religius grups, particularly Muslims, were perceived by sme as mre demanding and in need f mre accmmdatin. Fr example, prayer space and religius attire were ften cited examples f hw multiculturalism ver-accmmdates sme grups. Ethn-cultural rganizatins Ethn-cultural rganizatins were incnsistent in their cnnectin and sensitivity t newcmer issues. While it needs mre study, s far, ethn-cultural rganizatins d nt appear t be well cnnected t settlement r mainstream rganizatins. Links between immigrant/mainstream rganizatins and ethncultural rganizatins was thin, ad hc r based n persnal ties. These links were nt reflected in the mre structured cnnectins that mainstream rganizatins have with ther agencies r ppulatin grups. Newcmers and immigrants Religius institutins play an imprtant rle in the lives f many newcmers fr different reasns. Sme newcmers interact with these institutins because they prvide imprtant scial supprts that help with mediating the stresses f migratin and settlement. Fr thers, these institutins are imprtant places t express their faith. There were als newcmers fr whm religius institutins are 10