Abstract
Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Methods: This study utilized a community-engaged design, grounded in a critical analysis of gender and immigration status. We conducted individual and group interviews with a purposive sample of 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors. Results: Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. Conclusion: The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues.
Highlights
Canada is recognized as a welcoming country for newcomers and has a strong reputation as an international leader in inclusive immigration practices [1,2]
We argue that examining current immigration practices and their subsequent impact on the daily lives of women should not be done in the absence of understanding dominant political and economic ideology—in particular, neoliberalist approaches preoccupied with economic independence and self-reliance that lead to cuts to social programs for newcomers and
Similar to Stephens and colleagues [73], who noted the complex relationship between factors such as immigration status, access to resources, policy, and personal characteristics that affect the vulnerability of women to housing instability and homelessness, our study found that both interpersonal and structural crises compound to leave some mothers and their children trapped in a cycle of homelessness and violence that is difficult to escape
Summary
Canada is recognized as a welcoming country for newcomers and has a strong reputation as an international leader in inclusive immigration practices [1,2]. Canada’s economy depends on the continuous flow of newcomers for economic growth and allows newcomers to come under many classes, including economic, sponsorship, and protected persons. Sponsorship allows for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to take on the legal and financial responsibility of supporting a newcomer. In 2016, Canada had over 1.2 million new immigrants (i.e., those who had permanently settled in Canada in the last five years), representing 3.5% of the Canadian population. The majority of these new immigrants were admitted under the economic class (60.3%), 26.8% under the family class, and 11.6%. From 2001 to 2016, the percentage of immigrants living in Alberta rose from
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