How Canada can better help Hong Kongers
In November 2019, I came to Ottawa after the tragic sieges of universities in Hong Kong and unprecedented landslide victory in the District Council Election. I did not expect that a year and a half later I would be addressing the Canadian Parliament encouraging it to help the most vulnerable protesters to escape and find refuge.
Since the National Security Law’s introduction, more than 100 Hong Kong residents have been arrested. Most recently, 47 prominent political figures from all political spectrums were charged with “subversion of the state” simply because they participated in the democratic primaries aimed at securing more seats in the legislature. All the arrestees face between 10 years and life in prison and the possibility of extradition to China.
As Beijing tightens its grip, more protesters face the stark choice of staying and facing likely arrest or attempting to escape. As a student activist I, too, faced this painful choice, and as a result of my dual-nationality, I was able to move back to the Unite States. Sadly, many students who took to the streets in 2019, do not have that option.
This is why as an associate of Hong Kong Watch, I have been encouraging like-minded governments, including U.K., Canada, Australia, rhw U.S., the EU, and New Zealand to create lifeboat schemes to ensure every Hong Kong resident has a lifeline out of the city.
Given the complicated situation with two Canadian citizens being held hostage by Beijing, we applaud Canada’s decision to offer people from Hong Kong the opportunity of relocation. The targeted nature of the scheme addresses part of the inadequacy of the U.K.’s policy, covering protesters who were born after 1997 and do not own a BN(O) passport.
Compared to European countries that continue to drag their feet, Canada is taking a significant step to live up to its historical relationship to Hong Kong. However, people will still fall through gaps.
The “young talents” scheme, which expires in 2023, requires top qualifications and a level of funding that excludes some of the most vulnerable protesters. The “sunset” nature of the open work visa permit policy leaves young protesters who are graduating after 2023 behind.
Besides, the very time-consuming and complicated “asylum” procedures prevent protesters without adequate legal support to apply while “family reunification” arrangements cover only a small number of Hong Kongers with close Canadian family members.
As Hong Kong’s situation worsens, it is crucial for Canada to work alongside allies to assist at-risk youths by improving the policy.
First, Canada should commit to ensuring that convictions for “rioting” or “unlawful assembly” are not grounds for inadmissibility to apply for asylum.
Second, Canada should extend the youth working holiday visa to two years and expand the age group to 18 to 35. Bringing this into line with Australia will ensure that Hong Kongers without postsecondary education have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency.
Third, the government should review the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions on the ability of Hong Kongers to claim asylum, examining whether Hong Kongers could start their applications in Canadian embassies. In the past, parole programs have been provided by the U.S. government to channel Cuban medical professionals to the States and similar practices should be adopted by Canada.
It is also important for the government to consider exercising legislative authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of 2002 to issue ministerial instructions where necessary to cover the loopholes.
Taken together, these recommendations could improve the scheme helping thousands more Hong Kongers escape an increasingly desperate situation and signal that Canada is willing to offer a lifeline that is not contingent on educational background or financial wealth.
Canada should improve its policy not only because it will benefit from the enormous talents that Hong Kongers have to offer, but because of our shared values and universal belief in democracy.
If the Canadian government is not willing to stand with like-minded partners in defence of Hong Kong and our common values, then who will?