Young Hongkongers Welcome to Canada

More Hongkongers could be immigrating to Canada

 

Canada continues to take a firmer stance against China and has announced it will make it easier for Hong Kong students and recent graduates to study and work there.

This comes after Canada condemned China's ousting of four pan-democratic lawmakers on Wednesday.

Champagne criticized the ousting for lawmakers

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne issued a statement on Thursday morning saying China's decision to remove the lawmakers from the Legislative Council "is a further assault on Hong Kong's high degree of freedoms under the Sino-British Joint Declaration". 

 He also said the space for freedom of expression and public participation had narrowed further.

"This action clearly demonstrates a concerning disregard for Hong Kong's Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under the 'one country, two systems' framework."

Champagne ends by saying, "Canada will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong."

The immigration scheme is aimed at anyone who has graduated from a recognized university within five years can apply to work in Canada for three years. From there they can have an easier path towards permanent residency.

Mendicino says recent graduates are eligible

The scheme will also apply to spouses, partners and children of applicants. 

Violations of the national security law or any other laws Canada does not recognize will be disregarded in cases involving asylum, permanent residency or other permits, says immigration minister Marco Mendicino.

However, those charged under the national security law or  other laws would have to somehow make it to Canada first, which may be near impossible if China doesn't allow them to leave Hong Kong...

In any event, this is a very interesting step for Canada to make, definitely a welcomed one as the country is popular with Hongkongers who wish to immigrate.

But will these young people have the resources to be able to take the plunge? And what will they do when they get to Canada? Will they have the suitable job skills that Canadian employers want?

Many Hongkongers want to come to Canada

Already immigration consultants have received several inquiries about the new scheme.

"Since the social unrest erupted last year, the number of clients seeking to move to other countries has surged by four to five times compared with 2018," said Ivan Mak, head of Hong Kong for the AIMS Immigration and Relocation Group.

"Canada has opened a doorway for young Hongkongers to get more opportunities there. They have nothing to lose," he said.

China's ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu may not be pleased about this latest development. Last month he complained about Canada granting refugee status to pro-democracy protesters he described as "violent criminals". 

The bickering may continue, but at least Canada knows where it stands when it comes to Hong Kong.