10 Understanding and Supporting Immigrants and New International Arrivants in Ru
10 Understanding and Supporting Immigrants and New International Arrivants in Rural and Northern Communities
Judy White
The focus of this chapter is on the changing landscape of rural and northern communities in Canada as a result of newcomer settlement in these locations; and on the role of social work in responding to the diverse challenges and opportunities facing these newcomer populations and their receiving communities. The definition of rural and northern being used includes both distance away from the cities or urban centres (spatial) as well as population size of communities (Johnston, 2020; Laurin et al., 2020). The terms settler and immigrant settler are used interchangeably to refer to newcomers who have moved to Canada from other countries. The term “settler” is intentionally used to push readers to keep Canada’s history of colonialism uppermost in mind during the discussions about newcomers in Canada. The chapter recognizes the presence of diasporic peoples who may have once arrived as immigrants but who are now settled as Canadian citizens, and for whom the term “immigrant” is no longer appropriate. This chapter also includes a focus on individuals arriving as refugees who are also seen as newcomers settling in Canada. The chapter recognizes the diverse ways in which newcomers or settlers are able to enter the country (Government of Canada, 2021). The list of pathways includes:
- Express entry (applications are reviewed based on three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class).
- Family sponsorship
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Quebec-selected skilled workers
- Atlantic immigration pilot
- Caregivers Program
- Start-up Visa (opportunities to start a business or create jobs)
- Self Employment Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: (several communities in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are participating in this pilot).
- Agri-Food Pilot (opportunities to work in agri-food industries and jobs)
- Health-care workers permanent residence pathway
- Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway
- Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
In addition to the above, individuals applying as refugees may qualify for entry under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (Government of Canada, n.d.).
The next sections of this chapter will include a brief historical overview of Canada’s newcomer settlement history, followed by a discussion about the implications for social work practice. The discussions on implications for social work practice emphasize the importance of ensuring accessible and culturally relevant services; a focus on the importance of understanding and embracing cultural diversity; the importance of building trusting relationships; and the issue of newcomer settlement within the context of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
The chapter emphasizes that social work practice in rural an