POR Registration # POR 041-13
PWGSC Contract Number: G7423-130004-001-CY
Contract Award Date: December 12, 2013
Delivery Date: March 21, 2014
Prepared by:
Environics Research Group
Prepared for:
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
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Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct qualitative public opinion research to explore attitudes towards the issue of newcomers to Canada with professional designations getting their credentials recognized in Canada.
Environics Research conducted a series of 12 focus groups with immigrants to Canada between February 24 and March 6, 2014. Sessions were conducted in Vancouver, Surrey, Montreal, Toronto, York Region and Brampton. The sessions in Surrey and Brampton were conducted in Punjabi, the sessions in York Region were conducted in Mandarin, the sessions in Montreal were conducted in French, and the sessions in Vancouver and Toronto were conducted in English. In each location, one focus group was conducted with people who were permanent residents in Canada and had arrived within the past five years. The second group consisted of Canadian residents and citizens who had lived in Canada for five to 15 years. Participants did not necessarily have any pre-immigration professional designations or credentials themselves, and worked in a wide variety of fields before and after arriving in Canada. The groups each lasted approximately one hour and 30 minutes, and consisted of between 8 and 10 participants (out of 10 people recruited for each group). The twelve sessions were distributed as follows:
| Date and time | Group Composition |
|---|---|
| February 24, 5:30 p.m. PST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – Vancouver, British Columbia (English) |
| February 24, 7:30 p.m. PST | In Canada > 5 yrs – Vancouver, British Columbia (English) |
| February 25, 5:30 p.m. PST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – Surrey, British Columbia (Punjabi) |
| February 25, 7:30 p.m. PST | In Canada > 5 yrs – Surrey, British Columbia (Punjabi) |
| February 27, 5:30 p.m. EST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – Montreal, Quebec (French) |
| February 27, 7:30 p.m. EST | In Canada > 5 yrs – Montreal, Quebec (French) |
| March 4, 5:30 p.m. EST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – Toronto, Ontario (English) |
| March 4, 7:30 p.m. EST | In Canada > 5 yrs – Toronto, Ontario (English) |
| March 5, 5:30 p.m. EST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – York Region, Ontario (Mandarin) |
| March 5, 7:30 p.m. EST | In Canada > 5 yrs – York Region, Ontario (Mandarin) |
| March 6, 5:30 p.m. EST | In Canada 5 yrs or less – Brampton, Ontario (Punjabi) |
| March 6, 7:30 p.m. EST | In Canada > 5 yrs – Brampton, Ontario (Punjabi) |
The participants were recruited using a database of individuals, identified primarily through quantitative surveys, who have agreed to be re-contacted for research purposes. Recruitment involves contacting persons on the list who live in the required geographic regions on a random basis and then screening for eligibility according to the study design.
Statement of Limitations: Qualitative research provides insight into the range of opinions held within a population, rather than the weights of the opinions held, as would be measured in a quantitative study. The results of this type of research should be viewed as indicative rather than projectable.
Use of research: This research will support the Government of Canada’s commitment to facilitating the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials and integrating newcomers and internationally-trained individuals into the Canadian labour market.
The total cost for completing this research is $100,495.97 (including HST).
I hereby certify as a Senior Officer of Environics Research Group that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not contain any reference to electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leader.
Signature:
Derek Leebosh
Vice President, Public Affairs
Environics Research Group
Derek.Leebosh@environics.ca
(416) 969-2817