17 February 2022
This week, Canada’s Minister for Immigration, Sean Fraser MP, outlined a new immigration plan which would see Canada seek to bring in 1.3 million immigrants over the next three years to support its post-pandemic recovery.
Under the plan, immigrants moving to Canada in the next three years would amount to 1.3% of the total population by 2024. The plan commits to offering ‘support for global crises by providing a safe haven through humanitarian immigration to those facing persecution’.
Commenting on the announcement, Hong Kong Watch’s Senior Policy Advisor, Sam Goodman, said:
“At a time when Canada faces labour market shortages, an aging population, and sluggish economic growth, the Minister of Immigration should use the Government’s new immigration plan as an opportunity to expand its lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers born after 1997.
This should include extending the time-limited nature of the current schemes, dispensing with the requirement for a Hong Kong police certificate which has deterred many pro-democracy activists from applying, and making it easier for Hong Kongers with relatives in Canada to work and live in the country.
The Canadian Government’s commitment to provide safe haven for those facing persecution, should not exclude the thousands of young Hong Kongers who continue to face the prospect of jail and are not covered by the UK’s BNO scheme.”
Source: hongkongwatch.org