Home / Lifestyle / Edmonton Launches Survey to Understand Migrant Challenges
Edmonton Launches Survey to Understand Migrant Challenges
22 Aug
Summary
- Edmonton seeks migrant input to inform inclusion policies
- Undocumented migrants face barriers accessing city services
- Grassroots group Migrante Alberta advocates for migrant rights
In August 2025, the City of Edmonton launched an online survey to hear directly from migrants about their biggest challenges living in Alberta's capital. The city is seeking this input to help inform an action plan that will build on its existing migrant inclusion policy, which examines the difficulties faced by newcomers, including those with undocumented status, in accessing city services.
According to the city, about one in three people in Edmonton were born outside of Canada. Chelsea Hawrelak, the city's director of safe and healthy communities, says the municipality recognizes the "value of migrants in our community" and wants to better understand how it can foster inclusion and a sense of belonging.
Migrante Alberta, a grassroots volunteer group, has been working with migrant communities and the city since 2013 to advocate for the rights of newcomers. Cynthia Palmaria, a founding member, says the survey is a positive step forward to better comprehend the needs of diverse migrant groups, whether they are recent arrivals or have been in Edmonton for some time.
Palmaria highlighted the challenges facing undocumented migrants, who may be unable to access subsidized services like discounted bus passes. She also noted that non-citizens cannot vote in municipal elections, despite being residents and contributors to the city.
