Thank you, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe. Yes, we are voting on a motion as presented by Ms. Kwan. If we vote in favour, we will be adding one hour with that witness.
I can repeat Ms. Kwan's motion, just for clarification:
That, regarding the study of special immigration and refugee measures for the people of Hong Kong, the committee allocate one additional hour to the study to invite representatives of VFS Global to testify for one hour, and that this meeting take place not later than February 24, 2021.
Mr. Clerk, please continue with the vote.
(Motion agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0)
The motion is adopted. Thank you.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee is resuming its study of immigration and refugee measures for the people of Hong Kong.
Today's meeting is taking place in virtual or hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. The webcast will always display the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all meeting participants that screenshots or taking photos of your screen is not permitted.
For those participating virtually, 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. With the latest Zoom version, you may now speak in the language of your choice without the need to select the corresponding language channel. You will also notice that the platform's “raise hand” feature is now in a more visible location, on the main toolbar, should you wish to speak or alert the chair.
For members participating in person, proceed as you usually would when the whole committee is meeting in person or in a committee room.
Before speaking, please wait until you are recognized by the chair. If you are on video conference, please click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself. For those in the room, your microphone will be controlled as normal by the proceedings and verification officer. All comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. When you are not speaking, your microphone should be on mute.
With regard to a speakers list, the committee clerk and I will do the best we can to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person.
With that, I would like to welcome all of the witnesses for our first panel. We have Ms. Mabel Tung, chair of Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement; Ms. Joey Siu, associate of Hong Kong Watch; and Mr. Nathan Law, appearing as an individual, is a Hong Kong activist and former legislator.
We will start with Madame Tung, chair of Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement.
Madame Tung, you have five minutes for your opening remarks. The floor is yours.