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The University of Victoria’s Zheng Wu is leading an important study into one of the most profound challenges facing Canada, which has the second highest per-capita immigration in the world.

How can waves of newcomers to Canada feel they belong here?

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That question, explored by Wu and his sociological team, is particularly crucial to cities such as Vancouver and Toronto, where more than two out of five residents are foreign born.

The disruption that comes with pulling up stakes and leaving one’s country – whether China, India, the Philippines, Nigeria or Norway – can be shattering, even leading to depression.

Arriving in Canada, immigrants are often jolted to find weather, language, food, buildings, holidays, ethical norms and neighbours bear little resemblance to their homeland.

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