Hong Kong Watch welcomes new measure to address Hong Kong Pathway backlog
Hong Kong Watch welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of a new time-limited measure under the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan. The measure sets additional permanent residence admissions targets of up to 100,000 in 2027 for the humanitarian category, including an allocation of 32,000 for the Hong Kong Pathway.
The announcement brings long-awaited certainty to tens of thousands of Hong Kongers who have made Canada their home and have waited, often for years, for a decision on their permanent residence. Launched in 2021, the Hong Kong Pathway closed to new applications on 31 August 2026.
Aileen Calverley, co-founder of Hong Kong Watch and Chair of Hong Kong Watch Canada, said:
“This is a meaningful step forward for Hong Kongers who chose Canada as a place of safety and opportunity. Clearing the backlog will give Hong Kongers the certainty they need to plan their careers and family lives. The focus now must be on delivery, with faster processing and clear timelines. We will keep working with the government and parliamentarians to turn this commitment into results.”
Over the past two years, Hong Kong Watch has consistently advocated for a one-time measure to address the backlog. We have engaged with parliamentarians across party lines and with officials from the Office of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. During a meeting with the Minister’s Office in early October, Hong Kong Watch was invited to propose policy solutions and subsequently submitted formal recommendations. We reiterated these proposals in testimony before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) on 29 October.
Hong Kong Watch is encouraged that the government’s announcement aligns closely with our recommendations.
Hong Kong Watch sincerely thanks Members of Parliament Jean Yip, Salma Zahid, Jenny Kwan, Wade Chang, Peter Fragiskatos, Sameer Zuberi, Brad Redekopp, Costas Menegakis, Chak Au, Melissa Lantsman, and Shuvaloy Majumdar for their support. We also thank the members of CIMM for the opportunity to present our recommendations.
Hong Kong Watch remains committed to working with the Government of Canada and parliamentarians across all parties to implement the measure effectively and to uphold Canada’s commitment to the people of Hong Kong. Effective implementation includes clear processing timelines and transparent communication with applicants.
香港監察歡迎加拿大撥給「Hong Kong Pathway」3萬2千個永居配額
香港監察歡迎加拿大政府宣布在《2027至2029年移民水平計劃》（Immigration Levels Plan）下推出一項新限時措施。措施為2027年人道移民類別設定高達10萬個永久居留目標配額，當中有3萬2千個配額撥給「Hong Kong Pathway」救生艇計劃。
這項宣布為數萬個已在加拿大安家落戶的香港人帶來期盼已久的確定感，當中很多人已等待永居申請結果多年。「Hong Kong Pathway」於2021年推出，已於今年8月31日起停止接受新申請。
香港監察共同創辦人兼加拿大香港監察主席Aileen Calverley表示：
「對於選擇在加拿大尋求安全和機會的香港人來說，這是意義重大的進展。清理積壓能帶給香港人規劃事業和家庭生活所需的確定感。現在必須着眼在落實措施上，包括加快處理速度和制訂明確的時間表。我們會繼續與政府和國會議員合作，確保承諾得以實踐。」
過去兩年，香港監察一直倡議推出一次性措施解決積壓問題。我們與跨黨派國會議員和移民、難民及公民部長辦公室官員會面交流。10月初，香港監察會晤移民部長辦公室官員，應邀提出政策解決方案，隨後遞交正式建議。10月29日，我們向眾議院公民及移民常務委員會作證，重申相關建議。
政府的宣布與我們的建議如出一轍，香港監察備受鼓舞。
香港監察衷心感謝以下國會議員的支持：Jean Yip、Salma Zahid、Jenny Kwan、Wade Chang、Peter Fragiskatos、Sameer Zuberi、Brad Redekopp、Costas Menegakis、Chak Au、Melissa Lantsman和Shuvaloy Majumdar 。我們亦感謝移民委員會給我們機會提出建議。
香港監察繼續致力與加拿大政府和跨黨派國會議員合作，務求有效落實措施，履行加拿大對香港人的承諾。有效落實包括制訂明確的處理時間表和與申請人透明溝通。
Photo: Jason Hafso on Unsplash