Exploring the Settlement Trajectories of Refugee Newcomers in Southern Ontario
Abstract
Beginning life in a new country means adjusting to new systems of law, education, work, and health.
Individuals who arrive in Canada as refugees face unique challenges during this process of re-settling
due in part to the forced nature of their migration. Many organizations exist that seek to assist refugee
newcomers in Canada. Few studies have examined the success of these organizations, especially
refugee focused primary health clinics. In addition, few studies have examined health and settlement
from the perspective of refugees themselves. This qualitative research study consisted of semistructured
interviews with twenty-two participants including refugee newcomers, key informants
from the refugee resettlement sector, and representatives from refugee-focused health clinics across
Southern Ontario. Findings from this study highlight how many settlement trajectory factors appear to
be beyond any individual newcomer’s control. The program through which refugee newcomers enter
Canada, whether they have certain assets including English language ability or personal finances, and
whether they gain access to high quality refugee resettlement supports are examples of such factors
that were influential in determining resettlement success for the participants in this study. A new
framework is proposed for refugee resettlement relevant in the Canadian context, with the goal of
enhancing the long-term success of refugee resettlement in Canada.
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Cite this version of the work
Emma Bartel
(2018).
Exploring the Settlement Trajectories of Refugee Newcomers in Southern Ontario. UWSpace.
http://hdl.handle.net/10012/13668
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