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Social Inclusion Research and Policy Papers

Caledon Institute of Social Policy: 
Aboriginal People and Postsecondary Education in Canada (PDF, 1.1 mb, 52 pages)
The success of Aboriginal people in our postsecondary education (PSE) system is of vital interest to all Canadians.  Aboriginal Peoples and Postsecondary Education in Canada reviews the empirical data about how Aboriginal peoples are doing in the PSE system and what the data suggests about strategies to improve these results.  The author argues that, while it is unusual for a quantitative analysis to have direct policy implications, the data in this report clearly shows that high school graduation is the key to improving PSE outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.   

While a variety of studies have been undertaken and recommendations reached with respect to sport and recreational programs, and in particular programs for immigrant youth, there has been no follow-up to ensure that identified models are being implemented in community agencies that serve newcomer immigrants. OCASI saw the need to draw together the recommendations from the various studies and to disseminate a model developed from these findings among organizations that serve immigrant youth. As a result OCASI did a feasibility study on the perceptions of the service providers as to the practicality of these inclusive models.  OCASI is using its research capacity to document the research findings/proposed models and to share the research outcomes through its information dissemination channels that include the www.ocasi.org  and www.settlement.org  websites.

For more information click here  

Announcing the release of Indigenous Children: Rights and Reality
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child held a day of Discussion on Indigenous child rights in 2003 and made significant observations on how countries can better respect the rights of Indigenous children and youth.  This document, coupled with the disproportionate experience of risk amongst Indigenous children and youth, inspired the development of the UN Sub-Group on Indigenous Children and Young People (ISG) in 2005.  One of the key areas of work for the ISG was conducting a literature review on Indigenous child rights from the perspective of customary law and international law.  Judith Rae, the author of Indigenous Children: Rights and Reality, worked with the ISG to identify and summarize existing literature on Indigenous child rights.  This document is an important contribution to the evolving knowledge base on Indigenous child rights and is being used by the ISG to support its future works.  
Copies of the report are available in PDF form here.

Canadian Centre for Policy Initiatives
Gender Budget Initiatives: Why they matter in Canada
A new report by Isabella Bakker, released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), says that the federal government’s current budgetary process is leaving women behind. The report concludes that if women are to be equal benefactors of federal budget surpluses, the federal government must stop ignoring its domestic and international commitments to undertake gender budget analysis in Canada. The complete report is available on-line. 

Want to find out more about Early Childcare and Education and Development?
Check out this link and you can read for yourself a policy analysis completed by the OECD to evaluate Canadian ECED within an international framework. [February 10, 2005]

Unaccompanied/Separated Children Seeking Refugee Status in Ontario: A review of documented policies and practices
Published In a December 2004 No.13 of Policy Matters, the report examines material related to unaccompanied or separated children who have fled their country of origin and settled in Ontario. It is worth to look, click here. [January 25, 2005]

The Experience of Workers with Disabilities in the Canadian Labour Force. Click here (Information sheet #16) [January 25, 2005]

Impacts on Children of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Canadian Council for Refugees has recently released the report, which examines the effects the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) has on children. Click here. [January 25, 2005] 

Report of the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities
This document provides guidelines for the Government of Canada to follow in order to make the tax system fairer for persons with disabilities and those who care for them. Click here to find out more. [January 25, 2005] 

Our Diverse Cities
This project has been put together by The Metropolis and the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. The magazine 'Our Diverse Cities" will explore the changing cultural expressions of our Canadian cities, while at the same time ecourage further exchange between researchers, policy makers and civil society in matters of difersity, migration and immigration. Check out the link here. (pdf, 2.27MB) [December 9, 2004]

Stolen Sisters - A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada
This telling report made by Amnesty International examines the state of violence against women in Canada, particularly Indigenous women. The report indicates that a history of institutional as well as societal racism and sexism has put Aboriginal women at higher risk of being victims of violence. In the report, Amnesty International puts forth various recommendations for Canadians to address which include an acknowledgement from various levels of government of the gravity of the situation, the support of further research on this topic and the institution of policies to protect women at greater risk of violence, such as Indigenous women. This report is worthy of attention as it demonstrates, by using a human rights paradigm, the importance of recognizing the collective rights of women, in particular Indigenous women. Summary with photos. Full report (pdf 1,4 MB).  [October 28, 2004] 

New Research on Youth Recreation Opportunities
Laidlaw Foundation along with other funders is increasingly concerned with the issue of lack of recreational opportunities for youth in the City of Toronto. Examination of this issue involves the consideration of social factors such as growing income gaps and the racialization of poverty as well as the geographic distribution of recreational facilities and opportunities in Toronto City's diverse neighbourhoods. Preliminary research on this topic was recently completed by Amrita Gill, who undertook a placement at Laidlaw Foundation in the first half of 2004, as part of her training in the Master of Spatial Analysis program, Department of Geography, Ryerson University
To view the research report click here. [pdf, 1.90MB]

Inclusion: The Next Generation in Child Care in Canada
by Irwin, Sharon Hope; Lero, Donna S. & Brophy, Kathy
Book from SpeciaLink discusses resources needed to successfully include children with special needs in child care centres in Canada, and warns of potential barriers to these goals. Click here. [September 13, 2004]

What Role Do Ethnoracial Umbrella Organizations Play In Developing Social Capital and Promoting Social Inclusion?
Ted Richmond examines this question in a paper presented to the Metropolis immigration research conference in Montreal in March, 2004. To view or download a copy of Promoting Newcomer Civic Engagement: the Role of Umbrella Organizations in Social Citizenship click here.

Anisef, Paul et al., The Effects of Region and Gender on Educational Planning in Canadian Families, Final Report submitted to Laidlaw Foundation May, 2003. Click here.

Portuguese Community Inclusion Project, Finding Their Way: Toward the Inclusion of Portuguese-Speaking Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families., an initiative of the Familiy Service Association of Toronto, 2003. This study explores the experiences of Portuguese-speaking immigrant families in Toronto who are caring for young people with intellectual disabilities and suggests strategies for promoting social and economic inclusion within the Portuguese community and in the wider society. Click here. 

Smith, Ekuwa, Nowhere to Turn? Responding to Partner Violence Against Immigrant and Visible Minority Women, a major study by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) highlights the need for comprehensive, coordinated and culturally appropriate strategies to reach immigrant and visible minority women who are victims of partner violence. Click here.

Illness, disability and social inclusion (Europe)
"The development of policies and the delivery of services to promote the social inclusion of people with a chronic physical or mental illness or disability are crucial steps in achieving a more inclusive society. This report examines how to drive this process forward."
Complete report (pdf, 1.8mb, 168 pages). Information sheet (pdf,109k, 2 pages).

Guide for Women on Identifying and Maximizing Power in Today's Political Systems
Woman Power & Politics, by Kira Heinek (2003): The Ontario and Toronto Coalitions for Better Child Care announce the publication of their new joint book, Woman Power & Politics. This guide for women on identifying and maximizing power in today's political systems looks through the lens of child care as it influences women's lives. Woman Power & Politics invites women to participate in politics, take opportunities and determine their future regarding areas such as education, poverty and domestic violence."
Complete Book (pdf, 211k, 40 pages)

Commentary on the Evolution of Discussion on Social Inclusion
The four ethnoracial planning organizations in Toronto that work together in the Alternative Planning Group have published an important commentary on the evolution of discussion on social inclusion; this can be found on the CASSA website.
Go to www.cassa.on.ca/APG, then click on "Policy Papers", then on "Social Inclusion and the City".

Focus Papers for the Social Inclusion Conference A New Way of Thinking? Towards a Vision of Social Inclusion, November 2001, Ottawa. Click here

Social Cohesion Bibliography
Dr. David Welch from the Faculty of Social Work, University of Ottawa, has donated an extensive bibliography on the subject of "social cohesion". To view or download this useful document click here (pdf, 98kb)

The Literature Review on Social Inclusion
We have posted this paper due to the ongoing interest in Pedro Barata's literature review on social inclusion, 2000. Click here (pdf, 126kb)

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