Navigating new spaces: the role of sports and leisure in the lives of Montréal’s immigrant and refugee communities

Findings suggest that sport and leisure function as ambivalent spaces for newcomers in Montréal-sites of both exclusion and potential empowerment. Integrating language learning into sport and leisure activities and reducing structural barriers may enhance social inclusion and support mental wellbeing. These insights highlight the importance of recognizing sport and leisure not merely as forms of physical activity or entertainment, but as vital psychosocial resources that contribute to settlement, resilience, and belonging in multicultural societies.