Conservative and NDP Leaders call for Canada to extend and expand the Open Work Permit for Hong Kongers

Today, both the leaders of the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party in Canada have thrown their support behind the campaign to extend and expand the Open Work Permit for Hong Kongers as it is set to expire on 7 February 2023.

Announced in November 2020, the Open Work Permit scheme has allowed young Hong Kong graduates the opportunity to apply for a three year work permit as a pathway to settled status in Canada.

Under the scheme, many young Hong Kongers with links to the pro-democracy protests in 2019 have been able to move to Canada and take advantage of the scheme.

In the summer of 2022, Hong Kong Watch launched its campaign for the Open Work Permit scheme to be extended beyond February 2023 and expanded to allow more Hong Kongers not covered by the UK’s British National Overseas Scheme to apply.

Commenting on the need for the Open Work Permit to be extended and expanded, Conservative Leader Hon. Pierre Poilievre MP, said:

“The expansion and extension of the Open Work Permit scheme for Hong Kongers must be a priority in light of the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong. There is value in having such a scheme to help Hong Kongers come to Canada to build their lives here and contribute to its economic growth.

We urge the Trudeau government to make an expedited decision to remove any barriers in this regard, including extending the scheme beyond its current expiry date of February 2023, and removing the five-year limit to allow those who graduated university post-2009 and the requirement for a police certificate. The lives of Hong Kongers depend on it as they continue their struggle against Beijing’s communist and totalitarian crackdown on their city.”

Commenting on the campaign for the Open Work Permit, NDP Leader Hon. Jagmeet Singh MP, said:

“I am in full agreement with other likeminded leaders in UK, USA, EU and Australia that we must stand with the people of Hong Kong.  As the persecution of pro-democracy activists continue to escalate, urgent action is needed.  Canada must do its part by extending the current lifeline to safety set to expire in February and establish a special measure for human rights defenders.  To ensure the pathways are workable for these pro-democracy activists, barriers like the 5-year graduation requirement and a Hong Kong police certificate must be removed.”