Exploring lived realities of post-settlement livelihood recovery in newcomer households: A Nova Scotia study

Abstract

Persistent poverty among newcomers to Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia, poses serious health consequences and contributes to population-level disparities. This study applies a livelihood recovery framework from the international development field to explore how poverty risk can be reduced. Livelihood recovery extends beyond re-employment to addressing asset loss and rebuilding resources after migration. This study examined the lived experiences of newcomer parents with recovering a livelihood three or more years post-settlement. Semi-structured interviews with eight parents were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings reveal that several activities preceded an income-generating stage, including language acquisition, re-schooling, debt avoidance, and initiating a home-based activity. Ongoing constraints include migration fatigue, a sense of loss, and intergenerational disconnect. By shedding light on livelihood restoration, these findings provide insight into managing the poverty risk while driving newcomer health equity through recovering an income source, occupying a productive role in society, and reducing poverty-related stress.