Hong Kong Watch meets with Immigration Committee members to address the Hong Kong Pathway backlog

Last week, Hong Kong Watch’s co-founder and Chair of Trustees, Aileen Calverley, together with Advocacy and Communications Officer, Landson Chan, met with Canadian parliamentarians, including two members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) of the House of Commons, to discuss the pressing issues surrounding the Hong Kong Pathway backlog.

Aileen Calverley met with Senator Leo Housakos and Chak Au MP to highlight challenges that undermine the effectiveness of this “lifeboat scheme”: Without permanent residency, Hong Kongers are unable to transfer their MPF funds from Hong Kong to Canada. In addition, individuals with charges in Hong Kong face significant barriers in obtaining security clearance.

Senator Leo Housakos, Patron of Hong Kong Watch, expressed his commitment to developing a plan to fast-track Hong Kong Pathway applications and emphasized the importance of strengthening Canada’s support for Hong Kongers seeking refuge.

Chak Au MP, originally from Hong Kong himself, pledged to press the Minister of Immigration to allocate this year’s remaining quotas to Hong Kong Pathway applicants and affirmed his readiness to champion the issue in Parliament.

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP, Vice-Chair of the Immigration Committee and Patron of Hong Kong Watch, acknowledged the seriousness of the delays and committed to raising the matter formally with the Immigration Committee. He emphasized that the committee will have an opportunity to examine the backlog in depth and explore viable policy solutions to expedite the processing of applications.

Costas Menegakis MP, member of the Immigration Committee who represents a riding with many Hong Kongers, also voiced his full support for the Hong Kong community and recognized the urgency of addressing the current challenges faced by applicants.

In addition, the Hong Kong Watch team met with James Bezan MP, long-time supporter and Patron of Hong Kong Watch, to discuss an upcoming parliamentary seminar later this month, where a new Hong Kong Watch report will be officially launched.

Hong Kong Watch will also hold further discussions with the Prime Minister’s Office this week regarding potential steps to allocate additional quotas and expedite the processing of applications under the Hong Kong Pathway.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all Members of Parliament who continue to stand with the Hong Kong community in Canada and support efforts to ensure fairness, compassion and timely action for those seeking refuge through the Hong Kong Pathway.

香港監察會晤移民委員會委員 探討Hong Kong Pathway申請積壓問題

上週，香港監察共同創辦人兼信託董事會主席Aileen Calverley聯同倡議及傳訊主任Landson Chan會晤加拿大國會議員，包括兩位眾議院公民及移民常務委員會委員，討論圍繞「Hong Kong Pathway」申請積壓的迫切問題。

Aileen Calverley會見參議員Senator Leo Housakos和眾議員區澤光（Chak Au MP），重點指出削弱這項「救生艇計劃」成效的挑戰：沒有永久居留權的話，香港人無法將強積金從香港轉移到加拿大。另外，在香港被控控罪的人士在通過安全審查上遇到重大阻滯。

香港監察贊助人Senator Leo Housakos表示會致力制訂加快「Hong Kong Pathway」申請處理進度的方案，並強調加拿大有必要加強對尋求庇護港人的支援。

本身來自香港的Chak Au MP承諾會敦促移民部長將今年餘下的移民配額分配給「Hong Kong Pathway」申請人，並表示樂意在國會聲援這個議題。

移民委員會副主席、香港監察贊助人Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP承認申請延誤的嚴重性，並承諾向移民委員會正式提出事件。他強調，委員會將有機會深入檢視積壓問題，並探討加快處理申請的可行政策方案。

代表選區有很多香港人聚居的移民委員會委員Costas Menegakis MP亦表示全力支持香港社群，並認為應對申請人現時面對的挑戰實屬當務之急。

另外，香港監察團隊與長期支持我們的香港監察贊助人James Bezan MP會面，討論本月稍後舉行的國會研討會，屆時我們將正式發布一份新香港監察報告 。

香港監察本週亦將就增加配額並加快「Hong Kong Pathway」申請處理進度的可能措施，與總理辦公室展開進一步討論。

我們衷心感謝所有持續支持加拿大香港社群的國會議員，他們支持我們的工作，為透過「Hong Kong Pathway」尋求庇護的香港人爭取公平對待和及時行動。