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February 22, 2023
For Immediate Release
Hongkonger Canadian Delegation to Ottawa on Canada-Hong Kong Relations and Immigration Policies
Canada-Hong Kong Link, Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement, Saskatchewan Stands with Hong Kong, and Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society sent a delegation to Ottawa from February 14 to 16. The delegation met with Members of Parliament and ministries responsible for Canada-Hong Kong relations and immigration policies for Hongkongers. Gloria Fung, the President of Canada-Hong Kong Link, was invited as a keynote speaker at the AGM of the Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group to address the subject of what Canada can do to continue our support for Hong Kong.
The delegation expressed deep concerns about the ongoing suppression of freedom and the erosion of the independent judicial system in Hong Kong. We further strengthened the MPs’ knowledge and awareness of the National Security Law trials of media tycoon Jimmy Lai and the 47 Democrats prosecuted for organizing and participating in an unofficial primary election. We urged our Canadian government to closely monitor the progress of the court hearings and take timely actions to show solidarity with Hongkongers.
The four organizations have advocated for the special Hong Kong Pathways for Hongkongers, the so-called “Lifeboat Scheme”, since 2019. The delegation appreciated the effort of the Members of Parliament of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) and the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in the recent extension and expansion of the Open Work Permit (OWP) for Hongkongers. However, there is still room for further policy improvement. Given the critical need for protection of Hongkongers under the Hong Kong National Security Law, we continue to advocate for expedited synchronization of the eligibility of OWP with that of the Stream B Permanent Resident Pathway, elimination of program barriers, and extension of the program beyond 2026. We have also submitted to all parliamentarians we met with a report on Hong Kong update with recommendations on Canada-Hong Kong relations and Hong Kong Pathways Program as reference for their future policy formulation.
2023年2月22日
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