"Every kid from Brazil is not a soccer star": Exploring race as a factor for service provision for immigrants in Truro, Nova Scotia

Abstract

This study reviews the literature on systemic racism in Canada, how it is perpetuated through white privilege and how it influences national immigration policy. Using a qualitative exploratory approach, this study then examines how larger forces of institutionalised racism might influence immigration and services on offer in the small, rural community of Truro, Nova Scotia. Service providers' perspectives on race as a factor for service provision for immigrants in Truro were gathered through a one-on-one interview process. Identified as a successful community, in terms of attraction and retention rates, this study looks at what is unique to Truro's approach to welcoming and supporting that might allow it to deviate from norms born of systemic racism. This study posits that 'social' issues such as systemic racism are inherently linked with sustainability and must be addressed in combination with 'environmental' issues.