Canada Surrenders Immigration Sovereignty to Beijing

"The Chinese Communist Party develops a fake identity with an attempt to infiltrate our overseas visa office, via espionage and collect visa applications and then runs them through the hiring process for the sub-contractor. How would we even know about it?"

"Even one Chinese spy could destroy the entire functioning of the office and cause a significant security threat."

Opposition Member of Parliament Jasraj Singh Hallan, Ottawa

 

"We are eyes wide open on this issue and we will continue to manage these risks going forward."

"I understand and appreciate your concerns. I am confident in the protocols that we have put in place to manage the risks that exist in foreign environments, including in China."

"At this difficult moment, Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Hong Kong and shares the grave concerns of the international community."

Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, Ottawa 

An anti-national security law protester, right, holds a Hong Kong independence flag as he marches on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain in Hong Kong, on July 1. (Tyrone Si/Reuters)

An integral part of any Canadian mission abroad is the immigration division, tasked with giving assistance where applicable, and guiding would-be emigrants seeking visas to come to Canada to become immigrants. Their backgrounds are checked, they are interviewed to discern what their plans are and if they fall into certain critical categories with credit points suitable to grant them visas, enabling Canadian immigration officers at embassies and consulates abroad to either expedite their request or turn them down.

Locally-engaged people may be employed at these missions, to perform auxiliary work involved in the process, but it is the Canadian immigration officer who makes the final decisions, guiding the necessary paperwork to conclusion. But not, apparently, in China. Beijing likes to control any situation where China and Chinese are involved. Any entrepreneur or corporation wishing to set up business in China must release to Chinese authorities their company's vital information as the price of entry to the vast and lucrative Chinese market.

Canada, particularly under the current Liberal-led government of Justin Trudeau has been anxious to be in Beijing's good books. Mercantilism and trade trump national security and sovereignty. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino expresses his confidence in having signed a contract with a company owned by the Beijing police to protect personal information of people applying for visas to Canada. It is a contract that predated the current government but one utterly lacking in common sense.

The Beijing Shuangxiong Foreign Service Company, operated by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau is contracted to operate visa processing services for Chinese citizens wishing to visit Canada. According to Canada's immigration minister, the company is closely monitored with frequent audits and security screening of employees working there. The point of the exercise is that this company, in service to the Chinese Communist Party can ensure that only Beijing-approved citizens may secure visas to Canada.

Canada talks the talk but has forgotten how to walk the walk. While proclaiming its deep concern over Hong Kong and the fate of demonstrators, much less the plight of Chinese Ughyrs in light of Beijing's proven track record on abuse of human rights, Canada has authorized a police unit to in effect, vet any of its citizens who may apply for visas to Canada. Any democracy-concerned Hong Kongers who have taken part in protests over Beijing's clampdown on Hong Kong are destined for prison, not visas.

Lest it be overlooked Chinese CCP authorities' use of cyberstalking and universal identification apps know who among their citizens can be trusted to support the CCP and who, permitted to leave the country will become a messenger for the 'splittest' element that Beijing regards as civic terrorists. The Immigration Department is so naive it prepared to contract with a Chinese company to use their electronic technology at Canadian embassies and consulates before the news become public and the outcry aborted the plan.

Immigration critic MP Jenny Kwan of the NDP fails to see why the Canadian government is unable to understand the problems inherent in turning over Canadian decision-making to Beijing's police-tainted mercenaries. "The truth is the entire structure stinks and this is a huge conflict of interest for the safety of applicants", she protested. Even as the government of Canada took steps to free up opportunities for Hong Kongers to immigrate to Canada, to permit students to apply for work permits, it sees no complication in having Beijing control who may procure a visa and who may not.

No one arrested for taking part in any of the protests that roiled Hong Kong over Beijing's takeover of its parliament and institution of new laws inimical to the rights of Hong Kongers and with the end effect of retreating from democracy, firmly ensconced in the close orbit of the Chinese Communist Party, would be banned from coming to Canada, Minister Mendicino said.

Even though Canada surrendered its control over such matters with the signing of the Beijing Shuangxiong Foreign Service Company to operate its visa processing. "No Hong Kongers will be prevented from coming to Canada or claiming asylum, because they have participated in peaceful protests", said the Minister, with all the authority his position allows him. 

 

Seriously...!