Episode 3: Canada’s Economy Needs Newcomers
Immigrants are driving Canada’s economic growth, but our immigration policies are not
Immigration is vital to Canada’s economic and social future — accounting for all labour force growth and the majority of population gains. Yet many newcomers still face barriers to housing, employment, and a sense of belonging, while support for immigration has begun to soften amid growing public concerns. As headlines question the strength of multiculturalism and international students face mounting pressures, the need to move from welcoming language to meaningful inclusion is urgent. In this episode, Dr. David Firang explores how communities — and institutions like universities — can help turn arrival into belonging.
Featured Expert
Dr. David Firang
Associate Professor, Social Work
Dr. David Firang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Trent University, whose research explores immigration, equity, and community development in Canada. With a focus on anti-oppressive practice, transnationalism, and the settlement experiences of newcomers, Professor Firang examines how social policies and institutions shape belonging — particularly for racialized and immigrant families. His work is grounded in both academic insight and lived realities, offering a critical lens on inclusion, child welfare, and the future of multicultural communities.
More to Discover
Teaching New Perspectives
Based on 15 years of experience in social work – working with individuals, children and families who face issues including addiction and abuse – Dr. David Firang urges his students to look for the deeper meaning behind crises. He teaches his students how to adopt anti-oppressive practices as social work practitioners, and helps others to identify racism and how to be a good ally.
Creating A Sense of Belonging
Trent International is key to creating Trent’s reputation as a welcoming and globally engaged institution. With a range of academic, social and cultural supports, Trent International, along with other departments at the University, ensures that students from around the world not only succeed in their studies, but also find a new home in their new environment and make connections that last far beyond graduation.
Making Strides in Social Work
Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area Social Work professors are also helping make social work more inclusive. In their new book, Re-Search Methods in Social Work: Linking Ways of Knowing to Knowledge Creation, Dr. Kimberly Calderwood and Dr. Marina Morgenshtern from the Social Work program make a case for adding a hyphen to the word “research” to form “re-search” to encourage researchers to pause and reflect on their studies and consider different perspectives.
Careers that Cross Borders: Programs in Immigration & Global Development
Trent’s programs prepare students to engage with the complex challenges of migration, development, and human rights. Study Social Work with a focus on equity and community support, or explore the global dimensions of policy and justice through Sociology, International Political Economy, and Human Rights & Global Justice.
The Global Development Studies program—featuring a specialization in Global Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Social Change—equips students with tools to drive sustainable impact worldwide.
For those pursuing graduate study, the MA in Sustainability Studies offers an interdisciplinary lens on global systems and the movement of people, ideas, and resources.
