Influence of a global pandemic for Ontario newcomers: Challenges and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Immigration and immigrants have always been significant to communities all around the world. Immigrants typically have direct and indirect influences on both their home and destination communities. Canada was ranked first as the most welcoming country in 2021. In the same year, Ontario was the destination of the majority of immigrants to Canada with the newcomers’ population of 198,530. Generally, newcomers face several challenges and have different experiences in a new community. Moreover, these challenges can be further complicated by many external factors, like the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research identifies the challenges and experiences of newcomers who moved to Guelph or Toronto during the global pandemic. Results of this research reveal new aspects of newcomers' demands, challenges, and experiences by which the Canadian immigration system can be improved both on federal and provincial scales.