Evidence of meeting #104 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was kongers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
Chair, maybe I'll ask GAC, because GAC would be responsible for dealings with these international organizations.
The ICAO is based in Montreal. I'm being told that nobody's communicated the fact that these ICAO standards are now being used to target Canadian permanent residents who are from Hong Kong who entered Canada on a BNO passport. This committee has an example now.
Are you aware of this? Is GAC aware of this? Has GAC communicated to the ICAO?
6:20 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I'm just learning now that this is an issue being looked at by ICAO. We are aware of their headquarters being in Montreal. The lead for ICAO is actually Transport Canada, but we would be pleased to work with IRCC and Transport Canada officials to ensure that some important messages are delivered. We can look into this issue with ICAO officials.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
To go back to Mr. McNamee, what is the downside? What is the effect? What would ICAO do if the Government of Canada were to change the four different codes, but specifically GBN, to mark, say, “HKG” or “CHN” on the permanent resident cards that are being issued by the Government of Canada? Does somebody monitor this, or can it just be a practice of the government to protect these Hong Kongers who fled, who get PR, to simply issue them one that doesn't show the fact and doesn't make it easy for the MPFA in Hong Kong to target them?
6:20 p.m.
Director General, Immigration Program Guidance, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I would have to bring that back and discuss it with Transport Canada and other stakeholders across government.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
How is Transport Canada involved in IRCC-issued PR cards?
6:20 p.m.
Director General, Immigration Program Guidance, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
As Ms. Chen indicated, Transport Canada is the lead for ICAO in terms of that communication.
June 5th, 2024 / 6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
Right. I understand that part. I'm saying as an IRCC practice, why, as a practice, don't you just change it so that you don't show GBN but you show HKG or CHN? It would protect these Hong Kongers who've come to Canada and been issued a PR card. We've done a security record check, background checks on them, and you're showing GBN. That's how they're being targeted. That's how the Hong Kong administration, the communists, know that these are Hong Kongers who fled and permanently do not want to go back.
I'm just saying, as a practice, what would happen?
6:20 p.m.
Director General, Immigration Program Guidance, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Thank you for the question.
IRCC issues the travel.... The PR cards are designed and issued to be consistent with the travel document that's provided by the applicant. We haven't explored them further than that. They continue to be issued to be consistent with the travel document because they're used together.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you.
The time is up. It's been five minutes and 41 seconds.
We will go to my dear friend Mr. El-Khoury. You have five minutes.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My thanks to our witnesses for joining us and for sharing some very important information with the committee.
Ms. Chen, my colleague on the other side of the table asked you whether Canada had specifically demanded Jimmy Lai's release. However, your answer was a bit vague.
Can you tell us what arguments or reasons Canada has given for not seeking Mr. Lai's release?
6:20 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I've actually just been reminded of the text of our statement at the universal periodic review, when, as I said earlier, we called for the repeal of the national security law. We also asked that they discontinue all cases against individuals charged for exercising their human rights and freedoms.
We made a statement referencing all cases being tried under the national security law.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I'm sorry, Ms. Chen, but with all due respect, what you just told me is not what I asked you.
I asked you to tell us the specific reasons and arguments behind the fact that Canada has not demanded Jimmy Lai's release. You haven't given me any specific reasons or arguments that could convince the committee.
6:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Mr. Chair, it's been very clear to Mr. Lai's family, legal counsel and other supporters what Canada's position is on his case and, of course, what our position is on the national security law.
We have consistently spoken out about Jimmy Lai's case, and we will continue to do so.
6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Ms. Chen, our relationship with China could have a negative impact on the assistance we can provide to Hong Kongers who are seeking Canada's support during their time of need.
6:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question?
6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
The relationship between Canada and China may play a role in Canada's not being more helpful to the people of Hong Kong and asking for the freedom of Mr. Jimmy Lai.
6:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
If I understand correctly, Mr. Chair, the question is about whether or not our relations with the PRC are impacting our ability to conduct advocacy on Mr. Lai's case. Is that correct?
6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Yes and no. I'm asking this question as the chair of the human rights committee.
Until this moment, I have not found convincing reasons why we have not asked for the freedom of Mr. Jimmy Lai.
6:25 p.m.
Executive Director, Greater China Political and Coordination, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Thank you for raising that.
We have been focused on human rights in Hong Kong for many years. Our position has been very consistent over many years. We've spoken out multiple times about Jimmy Lai. We have called for the release of all individuals charged under the NSL. We continue to conduct that kind of advocacy.
No, we have not specifically called for the release of Mr. Lai, but I believe our position is quite well understood by his supporters.
6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
My question is addressed to Mr. Linkruus and Mr. Smith, probably. During the handover of Hong Kong in the late nineties from the British to China....
The flow of money to China used to go through Hong Kong. How do you see the flow of money now from outside to Hong Kong, and from Hong Kong to China? Are there any obstacles from the Chinese government? Are there any restrictions?
6:25 p.m.
Director, Financial Services, Trade Relations, Financial Sector Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Very unfortunately, I do not have any information about flows of money or investments between Canada and China.
6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I was going to ask Mr. McNamee about what he said.
Mr. McNamee, you said that there are concrete, special measures and pathways for those who want to stay in Canada.
Can you give us a general idea of those concrete measures?
6:25 p.m.
Director General, Family and Social Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We have public policy measures in place that allow Hong Kongers to stay in Canada as students or workers. We set up a special process that gives Hong Kongers the right to stay here as permanent residents.
The public policy has been in place since 2021, and it will be in effect until 2025. Through the policy, we have already received more than 20,000 applications for permanent residency through these two pathways, streams A and B. We have already accepted close to 8,000 applications, which were made in person.