I think that is definitely one of the ways the Chinese government tries to collect data and information regarding which of the protesters or activists are trying to leave Hong Kong or to escape from the tyranny in mainland China.
Also, it does hinder people from applying for a visa to come to Canada. When we know that the visa centres are actually contracted to Chinese companies that are very closely related to the Chinese government, I believe that a lot of activists, protesters or even random everyday citizens in China would be afraid to apply because that would mean their information would be collected by the Chinese Communist Party. That also means that the Chinese Communist Party would be aware that they are planning to leave the country. That is a very dangerous—