Canada-China Relations Committee on Nov. 16th, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number five of the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations. Pursuant to the motion adopted on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the committee is meeting on a study of Canada-China relations.

Today's meeting is in hybrid format, pursuant to the motion adopted by the House on September 23, 2020. The meeting is also televised and will be available on the House of Commons website.

To ensure an orderly meeting, I would like to outline a few rules to follow.

Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of floor, English or French. Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are participating by video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself.

For the benefit of witnesses—the minister would know this—if one of the members is asking you questions, you don't have to wait for me to introduce you or recognize you at that point, but at some point I will cut it off when their time is up.

As a reminder, all interventions by members of the committee and witnesses must be directed through the chair. Please speak slowly and clearly.

When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute.

I would now like to welcome the Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Marco Mendicino. We also have with us Natasha Kim, associate assistant deputy minister, strategic and program policy; as well as Dr. Nicole Giles, associate assistant deputy minister, operations.

Thank you all for being here. We will now go to the minister for his opening remarks.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Good evening, everyone.

It is an honour to be with you all today. Thank you as well, Mr. Chair, for dispensing with the introductions of my two colleagues, Dr. Giles and associate assistant deputy minister Natasha Kim.

Let me begin with the substance of my remarks, and then I'll be happy to take questions from our colleagues on the committee.

Canada remains deeply concerned about the imposition of the new national security law on Hong Kong, including recent developments in the legislative council. This country shares many close ties with Hong Kong, and we continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong.

Canada remains deeply concerned about the imposition of the new National Security Law on Hong Kong, including recent developments in the legislative council. This country shares many close ties with Hong Kong, and we continue to stand with the people there.

Accordingly, as Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, I continue to work with all of my cabinet colleagues, and indeed all members of the House, especially Minister Champagne, to address the situation and coordinate any responses we may consider.

We have recently announced our new levels plan for the next three years, which will continue to attract the best and the brightest from around the world to help accelerate our economic recovery and drive Canada's prosperity going forward.

Over the course of Canada's history, immigration has helped us not only to grow but also to create jobs. In fact, one in three businesses with employees in Canada is owned by an immigrant.

As we've fought back against this pandemic, Canadians have been grateful for the service and sacrifices made by newcomers, who have played an outsized role in our response. A third of health professionals in key roles, like family doctors and pharmacists, come from abroad.

As we look to recovery and building the workforce that Canada needs for a prosperous future, we will continue to look for highly skilled people from around the world. In this context, I recently announced a number of measures for students and youth from Hong Kong, as well as a number of enhancements to Canada's existing immigration programs, which remain available to those living in Hong Kong and can provide pathways to settling in Canada.

There are three areas that I would like to highlight. First, we will seek to attract recent Hong Kong graduates and workers with the skills that we need to support our economy today and going forward. Second, we will prioritize existing immigration routes for family members, students and workers. Third, we have introduced several targeted measures to enhance the protections that are offered by our asylum system.

In totality, these measures support the objectives of our new levels plan as we seek to attract the world's best and brightest.

These measures support the objectives of our new levels plan, as we seek to attract the world's best and brightest.

To attract Hong Kongers from abroad, we are going to fast-track work permits for those with recent graduate experience who wish to come to Canada to work or continue their studies. This will allow recent graduates in Hong Kong to apply for an expedited open work permit valid for up to three years. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a recognized Canadian or overseas post-secondary learning institution in the last five years. If approved, their spouse or partner, as well as their children, will also be eligible to apply for a study or work permit.

Of course, we don't just want them to work or study in Canada temporarily. We also want them to consider staying on, which is why we will create two new permanent resident pathways under this initiative. I will highlight them now.

The first stream is open to Hong Kong residents in Canada who have graduated from a recognized Canadian learning institution in the last three years, having completed at least 50% of their courses in Canada. The second stream will apply to Hong Kong residents who are in Canada and who have graduated with a degree from a Canadian learning institution or a recognized post-secondary learning institution abroad in the last five years, and who have one year of full-time work experience in Canada within the last three years.

Once eligible under the three-year open work permit, Hong Kongers may then qualify under stream one or two or other existing PR programs. These measures represent an exciting opportunity to welcome Hong Kongers who can help to build our country going forward. We plan to welcome the first eligible applicants under this program in early 2021.

These measures represent an exciting opportunity to welcome Hong Kongers who can help to build our country going forward. We plan to welcome the first recent graduates under this program in early 2021.

Foreign nationals, including Hong Kong residents in Canada, continue to have access to our asylum system. All eligible asylum claimants are afforded due process and the opportunity to make their case for needing Canada's protection. In addition, due to changing conditions in Hong Kong that could put some individuals at greater risk, we have implemented an exemption to the 12-month bar on a pre-removal risk assessment, or PRRA, for Hong Kong nationals. Under normal circumstances, individuals who received a negative decision on their refugee claim or on a previous PRRA application would not be eligible to apply for a PRRA for at least 12 months.

Hong Kong residents at risk of persecution who have fled to another country may also be eligible under Canada's existing resettlement programs, including the private sponsorship of refugees program and the government-assisted refugees program.

Canada supports the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Taking part in peaceful protests is not considered an offence in Canada. As such, arrests or convictions outside of Canada for taking part in peaceful protests are not grounds for inadmissibility to Canada. No one will be disqualified from making a legitimate asylum claim in Canada by virtue alone of having been charged under the new national security law, and neither will they be hindered in any way from availing themselves under any other immigration route.

As you know, the Prime Minister has committed to a whole-of-government response to China's national security law in Hong Kong. The measures I recently announced complement measures the government previously announced. By introducing new immigration measures that also complement the efforts of our international partners, as well as building on our existing programs and pathways, we are providing options and opportunities for Hong Kong residents that are going to support Canada's economic growth and prosperity.

By introducing new immigration measures that also complement those of our international partners, as well as building on our existing programs and pathways, we are providing options and opportunities for Hong Kong residents that support Canada's economic growth.

We will continue to support the many connections and ties between Canada and the people of Hong Kong.

Thank you for asking me to join you today. I will be very happy to take your questions.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Thank you very much, Minister.

We'll now begin our first round of questions, with Ms. Dancho for six minutes, please.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for your remarks.

Minister, you've emphasized a number of times that Canada remains gravely concerned about the situation in Hong Kong. What, specifically, are your grave concerns?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Well, the many developments we have seen in Hong Kong, including the passage of the national security law, which we have condemned, as well as the most recent development involving the expulsion of four democratically elected legislators in Hong Kong.... It is against that backdrop that we have taken strong measures, including the suspension of our extradition treaty as well as the announcement last week—

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Okay, great. I'll just add to some of your comments there.

As you know, the world has witnessed a live stream video of the brutal response to pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Police Force, which has been accused of widespread human rights abuses by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch since the 2014 umbrella movement. We also know that Chinese Communist troops of the People's Liberation Army are stationed in Hong Kong and are prepared to suppress any dissent.

Are you planning to prohibit any members of the Hong Kong Police Force and the People's Liberation Army from immigrating to Canada under your new immigration announcement perimeters or otherwise?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

As I said, Ms. Dancho, we have taken the step of introducing a policy that is aimed at inviting an opportunity for young Hong Kongers, but we've also aligned two policies to enhance protections in our asylum system. I have made it abundantly—

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

For sure, but I'm wondering if you're going to purposely exclude or prohibit the individuals who are responsible for these actions from coming to Canada.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I was just in the process of emphasizing the inadmissibility requirements. I've also made it clear that we have a rigorous process when it comes to screening.

However, no one will be disqualified by virtue of being charged under the national security law alone or for committing any conduct that is not recognized under Canadian criminal law.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I appreciate that, Minister, but I think the recent national media reports regarding Operation Fox Hunt and the like would possibly disagree with the rigour that is applied to some of the immigrants who are coming to Canada.

We know that because of the Communist Party of China, individuals representing this party in Canada have been engaged in vigorous campaigns of intimidation, threats and coercion against pro-democracy Chinese Canadians, and Chinese and Hong Kong nationals living in Canada.

We know that one of the few ways they can get into the country is through your immigration department. Therefore, have you cancelled, denied or revoked any immigration visas, such as temporary resident visas, permanent resident visas or others, for any individuals known to be unauthorized agents of the Chinese Communist Party engaged in these tactics of intimidation on Canadian soil?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I just want to be clear right off the top, Ms. Dancho. As you well know, any effort to undermine our national security through political interference or through espionage is absolutely unacceptable. We have a robust public safety apparatus that seeks to—

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Have you revoked any immigration—

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order, Ms. Dancho. The practice generally is that you allow the person answering to have at least as much time as the question.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, with respect, that's not our rule and that hasn't been our practice. The member asking the questions has a right to control the time, and it's up to the public to judge whether the minister is answering and whether the time is—

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Thank you, Mr. Genuis.

I'm sure Ms. Dancho will want to ensure that the minister has an opportunity to give his response and not want to interrupt.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Chair, I assume this point of order isn't taking away from my precious time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

No, it's not.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I'm paused at three minutes and 12 seconds, so I assume that's where we can start off again.

On that point of order, to my colleague's point, I believe that was during the Parliament for five months following its being essentially shut down in March. Before that, the time was the questioner's. I just want to confirm that's the case.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Please proceed, Ms. Dancho.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Okay, thank you very much.

Minister, just to confirm, you can't say if you've revoked any visas for these intimidation tactics by the Communist Party of China on Canadian soil.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I was in the process of giving you the broader context of what our response is to threats to national security, including through espionage. I want to make it clear that we have a public safety apparatus that actively investigates all of them. We take appropriate actions where necessary, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any investigation.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I'll just leave a comment to that. It doesn't seem to be working—any tactics that your department is using—based on the national news we're hearing of what's happening to Chinese Canadians on Canadian soil.

However, moving on, Minister, as you are well aware, there are thousands of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong who are not residents of Hong Kong. They risk arrest and imprisonment if they try to flee Hong Kong. Your announcement doesn't really do anything for these individuals. What is your plan to support them, and do you have a plan?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Respectfully, I dispute that assertion. Canada has a robust asylum system. We have been recognized by the United Nations for two years in a row for the work we do to uphold human rights.

In addition to that, the policy announcement, Ms. Dancho—as I've now clarified on a couple of occasions—does add additional protections. It doesn't only address foreign nationals from Hong Kong; it addresses other individuals who may be active in this area and ensures that they are not disqualified by alone being charged under the national security law.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

As a specific example, I think we are all familiar with Grandma Wong. Alexandra Wong is a 64-year-old retiree who was arrested and detained for simply waving a British flag at a protest. She was subsequently detained by the Chinese communist government for weeks, and later put under essentially house arrest for a year.

Recently, she was reported as saying that it's too late for an older woman like her to get out of Hong Kong and start a new life elsewhere, for example in Canada. Do you agree with her, Minister, that Canada's doors are closed to a person like her?

In addition to that, I should point out that your announcement on Friday doesn't really do anything to support older pro-democracy activists and those without the financial means to attend post-secondary education. Is that correct?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Again, I dispute that intention, Ms. Dancho. We've created a number of pathways, which we are actively promoting, including the ability to reunite with family members here. With regard to anyone who is engaged in peaceful protests, as I've said, they would not be disqualified from making a legitimate asylum claim.