Inclusion Norms in Ontario Settlement Agencies as Workplaces: Between Prefiguration and Systemic Exclusion

This article examines the issue of inclusivity within nonprofit organizations as workplaces, focusing on the perspective of immigrant frontline workers of the Ontario settlement sector. Using a community-based collaborative approach, 25 frontline workers were invited to describe their experiences of integration of differences at work, involvement in decision-making, and equitable working conditions. Eight managers from the same agencies were also interviewed to better understand the policies and practices in their organization. The semi-directed interviews revealed that, while most organizations successfully integrate differences, there are some significant limitations regarding the involvement of immigrant frontline workers in decision-making and fair employment practices. This demonstrates a persistent form of systemic exclusion at the heart of Canada’s cultural mosaic.