Report explores legal challenges of new immigrants to Canada

A new report from Western's Network for Economics and Social Trends (NEST), in partnership with Pathways to Prosperity , paints an in-depth portrait of the serious legal problems and disputes immigrants face in their community and provides recommendations for newcomers to Canada seeking assistance. Funded by the Department of Justice Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, this qualitative study examined the experiences of immigrants living in Toronto and London, Ont., and identified some of the more common challenges faced by newcomers. These problems include immigration problems, family and relationship issues, housing challenges, employment-related problems, and difficulties in obtaining government services. "This report provides a snapshot of some of the challenges that new immigrants to Canada face as they strive to integrate into the community," said Victoria Esses, director of NEST, who coauthored the report with Alina Sutter, a NEST postdoctoral fellow. "These findings will help  create programs and services that more effectively address some of the real challenges faced by new immigrants." The study included 21 interviews with recent immigrants and a few individuals seeking permanent residence, conducted between August and December 2020. Partners on this project included the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre and COSTI Immigrant Services in Toronto. Research highlights The interviewees for the research shared some personal experiences resulting in serious difficulties.