In addition to expressing concern over the disqualification of four Hong Kong legislators, the Canadian government announced new measures to assist immigrants from Hong Kong, such as the provision of three-year work visas to young people in Hong Kong to facilitate their immigration applications, and the fact that Ottawa will not refuse refugee applications from Hong Kong people who have been charged under the National Security Law.
In light of China’s ongoing crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino expressed great concern about the situation in Hong Kong after the implementation of Hong Kong’s version of the National Security Law, including a reference to “what happened when four democratically elected members of Parliament were disqualified by China.”
He said Ottawa will relax the threshold for Hong Kong people to come to Canada to work and study, and will also speed up the processing of Hong Kong people’s applications to immigrate or sponsor family members to immigrate. “Recent Hong Kong graduates and those who have significant work experience and wish to come to Canada to continue their studies or find employment will be eligible for a three-year open work permit. Eligible applicants are those who have graduated from an accredited college or university in the last five years.”
Upon arrival in Canada, provided they have one year of work experience and can meet the language requirements, they will be eligible for permanent resident status and their spouses and children will be eligible to seek permanent resident status in Canada. Ottawa will also offer a fast-track study permit application for anyone from Hong Kong.
While there are now travel restrictions due to the new coronavirus epidemic, Ottawa says that if a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Hong Kong wants to return to Canada, his or her non-status family members can have a waiver to enter Canada and will be processed expeditiously with the highest priority.
In addition, in accordance with Canadian refugee claim regulations, those with criminal records may be frustrated in their refugee claims, but Mendicino made it clear that it will not deny entry to anyone from Hong Kong who has been charged under the National Security Act.” No foreigner will be disqualified from applying for asylum in Canada solely on the basis of China’s national security laws. If there are any failed Hong Kong asylum applicants, we will also give them faster access to the pre-removal risk assessment process, which will potentially give them a chance to stay in Canada.”
Canada for Hong Kong is pleased with Ottawa’s latest announcement, but still feels inadequate. Because there are many participants in the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement who have been locked out by the Chinese authorities and simply can’t get out of Hong Kong, Ottawa must have another set of measures in place to help that group.
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