“So many things were new to us”: identifying the settlement information practices of newcomers to Canada across the settlement process

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and map the shifting relationship between the settlement process and the information practices of newcomers from the Philippines as they migrate and settle in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs two semi-structured in-depth interviews, each with 14 newcomers from the Philippines to Canada. Participants were selected because they had migrated to Winnipeg through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program within 1–4 years of the date of interview.

Findings

Eight settlement information tables are identified that demonstrate participants' migration experiences, including participants' thoughts and feelings related to migration and settlement, their information questions and needs, the information resources they consult and the activities in which they engage.

Originality/value

This paper argues that this phased model approach documents the shifting relationship between settlement processes and migrants' information needs, activities, resources and practices. Articulating study findings using this phased model approach can support information institutions, such as the settlement sector and libraries, to provide support to newcomer groups in a timely and targeted manner.

Citation

Allard, D. (2022), "“So many things were new to us”: identifying the settlement information practices of newcomers to Canada across the settlement process", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 78 No. 2, pp. 334-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2021-0024