Canada widens door for Hong Kong immigrants, will give asylum despite China's new law

Amid rising tensions between Ottawa and Beijing, Canian government on vember 12 rolled out new streams of measures to help Hong Kong residents to come to ir country. A day after Cana criticised China’s decision to disqualify four elected pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong legislature, Immigration Minister Marco Mendici anunced that Cana will allow Hong Kongers who make asylum claims to go ahe even if y are charged under new national security law imposed by Beijing. 

“ one will be disqualified from making a legitimate asylum claim in Cana by sole virtue of having been charged under new national security law,” Mendici said at a news conference. He also ted that crimes that would be recognised under Canian law won’t be a barrier. “We see a silver lining — a silver lining for young Hong Kongers,” he said. 

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According to Global News, new measures target young, educated Hong Kongers and were billed as part of government’s plan to increase skilled immigration to fill jobs in key sectors including healthcare and techlogy. It will also see open work permits issued for three years for Hong Kongers who have gruated from eir a recognised Canian or overseas post-secondary institution in last five years. Furr, new measures have also created a new pathway to permanent residency for Hong Kongers who are in Cana and meet specific eligibility criteria like minimum langu and education levels and a year of work experience in country. 

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Cana ‘concerned’ about China’s security law 

measure will come into effect next year and it will, ditionally, also make two procedural changes to existing asylum laws. First, measure will waive one-year waiting period for a failed asylum applicant from Hong Kong to apply for ar assessment of ir claim. Second, measure makes it clear charges laid under national security law or against pro-democracy protestors in massive demonstrations against Chinese regime dating back to last summer will be considered a legitimate ground for disqualifying applicants without or charges that are recognised in Cana. 

While speaking to reporters, Mendici also “reassured Canians and Canian permanent residents in Hong Kong that y can return to Cana at any time, and any documents y require will be expedited”. 

He ded, “We find ourselves at a challenging moment. Cana remains deeply concerned about China’s pass of new national security law. We have unequivocally stated that this legislation and unilateral powers within it are in direct conflict with China’s international obligations”. 

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