Over the last decade several rural municipalities in Ontario have experienced growing racial diversity. Oxford County is one of them. This is due, in large part, to increased South Asian migration to the region. Despite the growing South Asian diaspora in communities across Canada, limited research has explored the everyday experiences of South Asian residents in rural and mid-sized municipalities, or the impact of such immigration on local governance.

 

The goals of this project are twofold; first, to contribute community-based knowledge about the social, cultural, and economic opportunities and challenges of South Asian community members in Oxford County; and second, to explore creative methods for engaging diverse South Asian residents in local decision making aimed at improving their experiences making a life in the region.