A roundtable to explore critical reflections, challenges and strategies for data analysis

The Data and Methods Lab at CERC Migration put together a select group of academics and researchers in an online roundtable to critically assess the challenges associated with accessing data and information on temporary migrants in Canada.

Temporary migrants are one of the least understood and researched categories of migrants in Canada, yet comprise a significant cohort of migrants who participate in the Canadian economy and society, and who transition to permanent resident status. Better access to data and the creation of new data sources will improve our understanding of the social characteristics, employment trajectories and integration challenges of temporary migrants, as well as the settlement and integration experiences of those who transition to permanent status.

This roundtable explored two primary topics during the discussion:

1. What new research design, data sources and collaborations could be undertaken to examine the experience of temporary migrants, including specifically how federal and provincial policies influence the social integration and employment trajectories of different groups of temporary migrants? The roundtable will explore possible approaches for a CERC-led, large-scale survey of temporary migrants.
2. What research questions and strategies can be taken to enhance the analysis of the IMDB-Settlement Services Modules -- a recently released database from Statistics Canada that links IMDB with service provider-level and person-level data on a range of pre-and post-arrival settlement services?  How can we add new knowledge to our understanding of the outcomes and experiences of permanent residents who entered Canada first as temporary migrants?

Guest Speakers Included:

• Rupa Banerjee, Associate Professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour, Ryerson University
• Tony Fang, Professor in Economics, Memorial University
• Andrew Griffith, Former Director General, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Michael Haan, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Migration and Ethnic Relations, Western University
• Jenna Hennebry, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Wilfred Laurier University 
• Daniel Hiebert, Professor of Geography, University of British Columbia
• Feng Hou, Principal Researcher, Statistics Canada 
• Philip Kelly, Chair and Professor of Geography, York University, Director of the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI)
• Valerie Preston, Professor of Geography, York University
• Brian Ray, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Ottawa
• Anna Triandafyllidou, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration, Ryerson University
• Leah Vosko, Professor, Department of Politics and Canada Research Chair in the Political Economy of Gender & Work, York University

The roundtable was organized by Marshia Akbar, Senior Research Associate, CERC in Migration and Integration.  Participants were selected through invitation.  View the roundtable debrief  (PDF file) here.