Table 8 Thematic comparison across focus groups

Charlottetown

Chinese

Established

• Strong islander mentality hinders immigrant sense of belonging

• Strong sense of belonging within the Chinese community

• Employment contributes to sense of belonging; respondents feel that they belong among co-workers

Recent

• Also mentioned the strong islander mentality; feelings that immigrants are not welcome

• Identify with Chinese community

• Some mention of PEI as “home”

Iranian

Recent

• Immigrants feel like they belong in Canadian society

• Belonging is attributed to feelings of security, peace, and the hospitable nature of residents

Hamilton

Chinese

Established

• Feelings of discrimination

• Language acknowledged as a barrier to belonging

• Length of residence contributes to belonging; increased attachment to Hamilton over time

Recent

• Strong ethnic identity

• Weak sense of belonging

• Sense of belonging increasing over time; respondents are optimistic about their future in Hamilton

Urdu (female)

Recent

• Feel excluded from community events; celebrate religious events within ethnic community

• Strong sense of belonging within Hamilton due to large Pakistani population

Urdu (male)

Recent

• Appreciative of religious freedom

• Again, sense of belonging within Pakistani community

• Increase in sense of belonging over time

Saskatoon

Chinese

Established

• Feeling that Saskatoon is “home”

Recent

• House and family are important contributors to feelings of belonging

• Sense of belonging seems to be forced

Tamil

Recent

• Appreciative of smaller-sized city; familiarity contributes to belonging

• Feelings of belonging to wider society, not just within ethnic community

• Employment contributes to belonging

Urdu

Recent

• Appreciative of religious freedom

• General feeling that Canadian-born individuals are “nice”

• Feelings of discrimination regarding recognition of credentials