Toronto's Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement
Scholars, Community Groups, Gov't to Share Research Findings on the Many Faces, Facets, and Future of Immigration & Settlement in Canada During National Metropolis Conference

TORONTO, March 15, 2000 -- While the composition of Canadian cities is ever shifting and changing, academics, community groups, and governmental organizations working under the umbrella of the Metropolis Project are tracking that change, identifying the patterns, potential and problems of immigration and settlement that affect the lives of everyone dwelling in our largest cities, including, of course, the newly arrived.

They will share their analysis -- along with a wealth of research findings on national, regional and local issues that are complex and controversial -- during the fourth National Metropolis Conference: Working Together for the Future: Partnerships in Immigration Research and Policy on March 22 to March 25, 2000 at the Metropolitan Hotel, 108 Chestnut Street, Toronto.

The conference is hosted by the Toronto Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS), a joint enterprise of York University, Ryerson Polytechnic University and the University of Toronto and community partners. Located in Canada's leading immigration destination, the Toronto Centre is one of four federally funded research centres established in 1996 by Immigration and Citizenship Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The centres are part of the International Metropolis Project in which Canada is playing a lead role.

The three-day symposium will feature plenaries and workshops organized around an amazing array of research on immigration and settlement as it relates to education, the economy, health, housing, neighbourhoods, and community. Metropolis researchers will join international scholars, non-governmental organizations, government representatives and graduate students to present and discuss research on issues as diverse as the populations it is exploring. Topics range from perceived housing discrimination among Polish, Somali and Jamaican newcomers in Toronto's rental market, to city-suburban differences in government responses to Immigration in the GTA, to education and the integration of immigrants in Toronto since 1960. Other areas of research include:

"No More Options: The Impact of Race, Pre-Trial Detention and Over-charging on Plea-bargaining Decisions." (Gail Kellough, York U. and Scot Wortley, UofT)

"Making Space for Mosques: Conflicts over Urban Citizenship in Toronto"(Engin Isin, York U. and Myer Siemiatycki, Ryerson)

"Who are these strangers in Toronto? A socio-demographic analysis" (Lawrence Lam, York U.)

"Who Succeeds in Toronto? An Assessment of Immigration and Economic Issues" (Lucia Lo, York U.)

"Meeting Immigrant Community College Students' Needs: A case study of one GTA College Campus" (Kenise Murphy Kilbride, Ryerson and Lucy D'Arcangelo, George Brown College)

"Dangerous and Safe Places: Latin American Youth and Cultural Citizenship in Toronto" Alan Simmons (York U.)

"The Impact of Canadian Deportation on Crime Rates in the Caribbean"(Annemarie Barnes, Uof T)

"Immigration at the dawn of the 21st century is primarily an urban phenomenon and affects all our lives. Supporting the settlement process, planning for the impacts of immigration and maximizing the benefits of newcomers' training and talents requires concerted effort and informed cooperation at every level of the government," said CERIS Associate Director Dr. Kenise Murphy Kilbride.

"This kind of research provides invaluable information and data on immigration trends to inform the policy and practices of government planners and community-service providers. And this collaborative approach leads to mutual learning, and will help make the research real and relevant to new immigrants and their neighbours," said CERIS Associate Director Dr. Paul Anisef.

For a complete agenda and access to researchers' abstracts, please visit the conference website at www.ceris.metropolis.net/events/conference_program.htm

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For more information or to arrange for interviews, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Dr. Morton Beiser
Director, CERIS
University of Toronto
(416) 979-4988

Dr. Paul Anisef
Associate Director, CERIS
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 20574

Dr. Kenise Murphy Kilbride
Associate Director, CERIS
Ryerson Polytechnic University
(416) 979-5339
YU/031/00