Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role played by grassroots organizations in supporting new Canadians, according to researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University. Interviews with various stakeholders, including government officials, universities, colleges, and settlement service agencies, revealed that the pandemic accentuated the importance of immigrants and international students in the Canadian labor market. The study, conducted by researchers Ashika Niraula and Melissa Kelly, highlighted gaps in support for new migrants during pandemic lockdowns and emphasized the need for more research to understand how diaspora communities mobilize during crises.
Researchers note that mainstream organizations were largely unprepared for the distinctive challenges brought about by COVID-19. In response, diasporic organizations played a crucial role in bridging this gap. The study indicates that grassroots organizations provided more culturally appropriate responses in comparison to some universities, colleges, settlement services, and government agencies. This underscores the resilience and adaptability of diasporic organizations in addressing the specific needs and nuances of their communities during the pandemic. Religious and cultural leaders, settlement services, and doctors reported that new migrants turned to them for assistance with housing, work, healthcare, food, and community support during quarantine or for vaccination information.
The findings suggest that diaspora communities should play a more significant role in supporting highly skilled migrants and international students. Grassroots organizations possess unique information and mobilization capabilities that other stakeholders may lack. The researchers argue that understanding how diasporic populations experienced and overcame challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for informing future policies and support mechanisms for newcomers in crisis situations. Another ongoing research project, DEMA, aims to explore how the uncertainty of COVID-19 influenced newcomers’ decisions to immigrate to Canada, focusing on a study of 1,000 international students and highly skilled migrants.
