Immigration is top issue for Hong Konger Canadians: preliminary findings of Vote4HK Canada

Vote4HK Canada has released its preliminary findings following the Community Survey for Hong Kongers in Canada having successfully gathered 1,162 responses.

In the first stage of research, census data was reviewed to identify ridings with a significant Hong Kong population, defined as areas with 1,000 or more people of Hong Kong origin. Below are the top 5 significant ridings across each Canadian province:

  • Alberta: Calgary Nose Hill, Edmonton Riverbend, Calgary Crowfoot, Calgary Skyview, Calgary Confederation

  • British Columbia: Richmond Centre–Marpole, Richmond East–Steveston, Vancouver Fraserview–South Burnaby, Vancouver Kingsway, Burnaby Central

  • Ontario: Markham–Unionville, Richmond Hill South, Markham–Stouffville, Scarborough–Agincourt, Markham–Thornhill

  • Quebec: Brossard-Saint-Lambert

According to the survey, the top issues for Hong Kongers in Canada are in the following order:

  1. Waiting times for visa or permanent residency approval

  2. Cost of living

  3. Employment opportunities for oneself or family members

The survey also asked Hong Kongers in Canada about what policies important to them, which include:

  1. Expediting the processing of permanent residency applications

  2. Combating community crimes

  3. Combating overseas surveillance, harassment, or intimidation of dissidents by the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong

The mission of Vote4HK Canada is to empower Hong Konger Canadians to take an active role in democratic participation during the Canadian federal election. This initiative and its resources are designed to make it easier for individuals to understand and participate in Canadian democracy such that Hong Kongers’ voices are heard on issues that matter most to the Hong Kong community.

This initiative is inspired by Vote4HK UK, with whom Hong Kong Watch collaborated to encourage British National (Overseas) Hong Kongers to meet with their local candidates and learn about different political parties leading up to the 2024 UK general election. At the encouragement of Vote4HK UK, Hong Kong Watch is undertaking a similar initiative in Canada to engage the Hong Kong diaspora in understanding and participating in the Canadian political landscape.

The work of Vote4HK Canada can be found at the following social media platforms:

Instagram: v4hk.ca

Twitter: v4hk_ca

Facebook: Vote for Hong Kong Canada

「Vote4HK Canada」初步調查發現在加港人最關心移民問題

「Vote4HK Canada」早前展開在加港人社群意見調查，最後成功收集到1,162份回應，現公布初步調查結果。

在第一階段研究，團隊根據人口普查數據，找出有顯著香港人群體的選區（定義為有超過1,000名香港人聚居的選區）。以下是加拿大各省的五大顯著選區：

  • 亞伯達省：Calgary Nose Hill、Edmonton Riverbend、Calgary Crowfoot、Calgary Skyview、Calgary Confederation

  • 卑詩省：Richmond Centre–Marpole、Richmond East–Steveston、Vancouver Fraserview–South Burnaby、Vancouver Kingsway、Burnaby Central

  • 安大略省：Markham–Unionville、Richmond Hill South、Markham–Stouffville、Scarborough–Agincourt、Markham–Thornhill

  • 魁北克省：Brossard-Saint-Lambert

根據調查，在加港人最關心的問題依序如下：

  1. 等待審批簽證或永久居留的時間

  2. 生活成本

  3. 自己或家人的就業機會

調查亦問到對在加港人重要的政策，包括：

  1. 加快處理永久居留申請

  2. 打擊社區罪案

  3. 打擊中國及香港政府海外監視、騷擾或恐嚇異見人士的行為

「Vote4HK Canada」的使命是協助港裔加拿大人在加拿大聯邦大選期間，自主積極參與民主進程。這項倡議及其提供的資源旨在促進理解並參與加拿大民主，從而在港人社群最關注的議題上，聽見香港人的聲音。

這項倡議受到「Vote4HK UK」啟發。香港監察在2024年英國大選前與他們合作，鼓勵BNO港人與所屬選區候選人會面，了解不同政黨。在「Vote4HK UK」的鼓勵下，香港監察正在加拿大推行類似倡議，讓離散港人社群理解並參與加拿大政治格局。

請到下列社交媒體平台，了解「Vote4HK Canada」的工作：

Instagram: v4hk.ca

Twitter: v4hk_ca

Facebook: Vote for Hong Kong Canada

NewsFrances BellCanada, Diaspora