Funded Research Projects- CERIS Toronto- 1998 RFP

Economic domain

• Investigating Policy Barriers to Immigrant Business Development: A Case Study of Chinese in GTA
• Employment Barriers Experienced by Chinese Immigrant Women in the GTA
• Immigration, Ethnic diversity and Labour Unions in Canada
• "Immigrant and Refugee Youth Unemployment: A Qualitative Exploration of Labour Market Exclusion"

Education domain

• Enhancing School Retention Among African-Canadian Youth

Community domain

• Building Bridges: The Collaborative Development of Culturally Appropriate Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect for the South Asian Community

• Latin American Youth in Toronto: Identity and Immigration Issues

Health domain

• Pathways and Barriers to Mental Health Care for Ethiopians in Toronto
• The Health Effects of Reductions in Welfare Payments and Hospital Closures on Immigrant Populations in Southeast Toronto: A Ten Year Time Trend Analysis

ECONOMIC DOMAIN

Investigating Policy Barriers to Immigrant Business Development: A Case Study of Chinese in GTA

Immigrants contribute to the mainstream economy in at least two ways: participation in economic production through wage-earning employment; and employment creation through investment in businesses. Considerable literature on the social climate of ethnic labour market focuses on barriers to participation in wage-earning employment, but little attention has been paid to policy barriers to business development by immigrants. This research is to investigate existing policy barriers and to analyse government policies that affect the development of immigrant businesses. Policy implications for relevant government agencies will be identified, so that the social climate in Canada can be made more supportive of new immigrants' contributions through business investment for job creation.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• School of Applied Geography, Ryerson Polytechnic University
• Department of Geography, York University

Community:

• Canada Mainland Chinese Affairs Committee, Toronto

Research Team:

• Dr. Shuguang Wang, Assistant Professor, School of Applied Geography, Ryerson Polytechnic University (lead researcher)
• Dr. Lucia Lo, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, York University
• Dr. Guang Tian, Canada Mainland Chinese Affairs Committee (community-based researcher)
• One undergraduate research assistant
• One graduate research assistant

Amount Funded: $16,410

Employment Barriers Experienced by Chinese Immigrant Women in the GTA

This study examines the employment barriers experienced by Chinese immigrant women in the GTA. The work histories and earnings of middle-class women are compared with those of their working class counterparts. Quantitative and qualitative analysis will be used to determine the impacts of skills, education, and work experience, the availability of semi-skilled and non-skilled jobs and discrimination on Chinese women's employment and earnings.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Department of Geography, York University
• Faculty of Community Services, School of Nutrition, Consumer and Family Studies, Ryerson Polytechnic University

Community:

• Chinese Information and Community Services, York Region Office, Markville Shopping Centre
• Immigrant Services and School Programs, Woodgreen Community Centre

Research Team:

• Dr. Valerie Preston, Associate Professor, Geography, York University (lead researcher)
• Dr. Guida Man, Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Community Services, School of Nutrition, Consumer and Family Studies, Ryerson Polytechnic University (research assistant)
• Mr. Danny Mui, Executive Director, Chinese Information and Community Services, York Region Office, Markville Shopping Centre
• Ms. Maisie Lo, Manager, Immigrant Services and School Programs, Woodgreen Community Centre
• One post-doctoral research assistant
• University and community-based research assistants

Amount Funded: $19,640

Immigration, Ethnic diversity and Labour Unions in Canada

This research will examine the reciprocal relations between immigrants and labour unions in Canadian society, using the best available data set measuring both immigration and union-related variables -- the Labour Market Activity Survey (LMAS), and the public-use versions of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). Activities of the research include: (1) accessing and analyzing LMAS and SLID, (2) interviewing representatives of selected unions and immigrant communities, (3) highlighting the Greater Toronto Area implications of the study via comparative provincial or CMA analysis, and (4) preparation of a journal article on immigrants and unionization.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Department of Sociology/Centre for Industrial Relations, University of Toronto
• Faculty of Management, University of Toronto

Research Team:

• Dr. Jeffrey G. Reitz, Professor, Department of Sociology and Centre for Industrial Relations, University of Toronto
• Dr. Anil Verma, Faculty of Management, University of Toronto
• One graduate research assistant
• One undergraduate research assistant

Amount Funded: $12,950

"Immigrant and Refugee Youth Unemployment: A Qualitative Exploration of Labour Market Exclusion"

The ability to secure full and meaningful employment is a necessary condition for societal cohesion. Effective access to labour market participation has been threatened by the high incidence of unemployment, particularly regarding youth. The purpose of this research is to examine the "lived labour market" experience of immigrant and refugee youth who have been unsuccessful in their attempts to integrate into the Toronto labour market. A comparative qualitative case study approach will be applied to examine three groups of visibly identifiable immigrant/refugee youth (Afro-Caribbean, South East Asian, South Asian) using structured focus groups to probe our subject matter. The overall guiding question informing our research project is: What role do race and ethnicity play in affecting the employment opportunities for immigrant and refugee youth, thus excluding them from the labour market?

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Department of Politics and School of Public Administration, Ryerson Polytechnic University

Community:

• Access Action Council

Research Team:

• Dr. John Shields, Professor, Department of Politics and School of Public Administration, Ryerson Polytechnic University (co-lead researcher)
• Kahn S. Rahi, Executive Director, Access Action Council (co-lead researcher)
• Ryerson Social Reporting Network
• Community-based advisory group
• University and community-based research assistants

Amount Funded: $14,510

EDUCATION DOMAIN

Enhancing School Retention Among African-Canadian Youth

The incidence of school drop out in the Toronto School System has been found to be disproportionately higher for minority youths than for youths from the dominant culture. The figures are particularly alarming for students of African Canadian heritage. The long term social and economic costs of this phenomenon, and its potential as an erosive element on the structure of the family, calls for immediate action. The present study will investigate the efficacy of engaging youths in an exploration of systemic barriers to their success, as an approach to increasing their motivation to remain engaged in school. It is hypothesised that contextualizing the students' education in the sociopolitical arena will lead to a greater understanding of the issues that affect their lives as minorities in a majority culture. This will result in higher levels of commitment to education rather than disengagement from the system.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson Polytechnic University
• School of Administration and Information Management, Ryerson Polytechnic University
• Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Community:

• Organization for Parents of Black Children

Research Team:

• Dr. Gloria Roberts-Fiati, Professor, School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson Polytechnic University (co-lead researcher)
• Dr. Carole Chauncey, Professor, School of Administration and Information Management, Ryerson Polytechnic University (co-lead researcher)
• Dr. George Dei, Associate Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
• Muriel Clarke, Organization for Parents of Black Children
• Dr. Roosevelt Robinson (research coordinator)
• Four student assistants

Amount Funded: $14,900

COMMUNITY DOMAIN

Building Bridges: The Collaborative Development of Culturally Appropriate Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect for the South Asian Community

The purpose of the proposed research is to examine the nature of Children's Aid Societies (CAS) interventions with the South Asian community in Scarborough and to develop a definition of child abuse and neglect which would reflect standards accepted by both the South Asian community as well as child protection professionals. We propose to conduct a series of consultation group interviews first to identify those areas where CAS standards and practices are inconsistent with accepted South Asian child rearing practices and develop mutually acceptable standards and intervention guidelines to assist service providers in ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the South Asian Community. This project provides a good opportunity for furthering the development of social services practices and policies that more accurately reflect the standards and needs of new immigrant groups thus contributing to the long term mental and emotional health of these groups.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
• Atkinson School of Social Work, York University

Community:

• South Asian Family Support Services
• Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto

Research Team:

• Dr. Nico Trocme, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto (lead researcher)
• Dr. Usha George, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto)
• Dr. Dorothy Herberg, Atkinson School of Social Work, York University
• Uzme Shakir, South Asian Family Support Services
• Bruce Leslie, Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto
• Sarah Maiter, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto (project manager/ doctoral student/ research assistant)
• One community-based research assistant

Amount Funded: $12,970

Latin American Youth in Toronto: Identity and Immigration Issues

This study seeks to expand the theoretical understanding of "integration outcomes" (from assimilation to hostile interactions) for Latin American origin youths, aged 13 to 19, in Toronto, and to provide information not currently available but of potentially great interest to service providers in various fields: education, health, community services, youth programmes, etc. Particular attention is paid to youth views on "safe" and "dangerous" social spaces and how these are shaped within various dimensions of integration, such as gender relations (machismo, in the Latin American community), ethnic stereotyping and exclusion, group and gang culture, etc. The study design is largely participatory. Youth will meet to discuss issues of integration and social spaces, and they will serve as consultants to the development of a survey questionnaire to be applied by them to other youths in the community. The views of the youth will be interpreted taking into account the broader characteristics of their community as assessed from census and other data.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC), York University
• School of Social Work, Ryerson Polytechnic University

Community:

• Hispanic Development Council

Research Team:

• Dr. Alan B. Simmons, CERLAC, York University
• George Bielmeier, Professor, School of Social Work, Ryerson Polytechnic University
• Duberlis Ramos, Director, Hispanic Development Council
• Luis Carrillos, Hispanic Development Council (research assistant)
• Oscar Millones, Hispanic Development Council (research assistant)
• Blanca Serrano, Hispanic Development Council (research assistant)
• Gabriela Torres, CERLAC, York University (research assistant)

Amount Funded: $23,706

HEALTH DOMAIN

Pathways and Barriers to Mental Health Care for Ethiopians in Toronto

As a result of civil war and famine, Ethiopia has experienced a major exodus of people to countries such as Canada. Currently, Ethiopian immigrants in Toronto number about 30,000. Traumatic migration experience coupled with the demands of resettlement in a new country create mental health risk. However little is known about the pathways and barriers to mental health care for this group. Our study objectives are: (1) to investigate ethnocultural influences on help-seeking behaviour in Ethiopian immigrants, and (2) to inform the development of new approaches to the provision of services for this group. Study methods combine epidemiological and ethnographic approaches.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
• Culture, Community & Health Studies Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction & Mental Health Services Corporation

Community:

• Ethiopian Association in Toronto

Research Team:

• Dr. Samuel Noh, Associate Professor, Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Research Scientist, Culture, Community & Health Studies Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction & Mental Health Services Corporation (co-lead researcher)
• Dr. Ilene Hyman, Research Scientist, Culture, Community & Health Studies Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction & Mental Health Services Corporation (co-lead researcher)
• Mr. Jagama Gobena, Director, Ethiopian Association in Toronto
• One post-doctoral research assistant (project coordinator)

Amount Funded: $49,196.75

The Health Effects of Reductions in Welfare Payments and Hospital Closures on Immigrant Populations in Southeast Toronto: A Ten Year Time Trend Analysis

Our overall objective is to investigate the health effects of reductions in welfare payments and hospital closures on new immigrants and refugees in southeast Toronto over the years 1990-2000. This study will utilize a longitudinal approach to study the trends in hospital utilization and physician visits. Discharge abstracts for all acute care hospital separations and physician claims to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will be acquired as part of a larger project. We will also use 1991 and 1996 census data to describe the demographics and immigration profiles of the southeast Toronto area.

Research Partners:

Academic:

• Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto
• Health Administration, University of Toronto
• School of Public Policy, Queen's University

Community:

• Inner City Health Program, St. Michael's Hospital

Research Team:

• Dr. Richard H. Glazier, Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine/Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital Inner City Health Program
• Dr. Marsha Cohen, Associate Professor, Health Administration, University of Toronto and Centre for Research in Women's Health
• Dr. Elizabeth Badley, Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and Arthritis and Immune Disorder Research Centre
• Dr. Stephen Hwang, Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and St.Michael's Hospital Inner City Health Program
• Dr. Robin Badgley, Professor Emeritus, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and Centre for Research in Women's Health
• Dr. Vivek Goel, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto
• Michael Mendelson, School of Public Policy, Queen's University and Caledon Institute of Social Policy
• One graduate research assistant

Amount Funded: $15,000