TORONTO, VANCOUVER, CALGARY — April 12, 2025 Hong Kong Pathway Backlog Action Group launched a rally in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Hundreds gathered in above mentioned 3 cities this past weekend in a nationwide rally organized by the Hong Kong Pathway Backlog Action Group, a grassroots coalition advocating for fair and timely processing of permanent residency applications under Canada’s Hong Kong immigration stream.
The coordinated rally aimed to raise awareness among local communities and media about the prolonged delays affecting thousands of Hong Kongers, many of whom have lived, worked, and contributed to Canadian society while waiting in immigration limbo. It also served to demonstrate unity and mutual support among Hong Kongers across the country.
The events featured case-sharing from affected individuals, many of whom emphasized the uncertainty and stress that prolonged application processing times have placed on families and individuals. The rallies were conducted peacefully with the aim of fostering constructive dialogue and public engagement.
In Toronto, over 400 Hong Kongers participated in the rally at Nathan Phillips Square. The former Hong Kong Legislative Council member, Dr. Fernando Cheung, also joined the rally. He gave a speech to encourage Hong Kongers, ‘We come to Canada, restart our whole life… We have to build our network again. This separation is not easy, is not an easy journey, and to add on that, such uncertainty. Hong Kongers do not know how long we would be granted a ‘Permanent Residency (PR)’ status.’ said Dr. Fernando Cheung.
During the case-sharing session, many participants were willing to share their cases. One of the participants mentioned that she had applied for an extension of her work permit last September. Unfortunately, she was rejected for the extension, and she lost her job immediately. She appealed afterward, but still no update today. In addition, her friend was also rejected a work permit extension last November, but her friend was just successful in getting the extension after appealing for two months. It showed that the IRCC system has been being in a state of utter chaos since 2024. Therefore, Hong Kongers have had difficulty living.
In Vancouver, over 300 Hong Kongers braved heavy rain to gather at Robson Square, demonstrating resilience and solidarity despite the inclement weather. Among the attendees was internet radio host Giggs, who addressed the crowd with words of encouragement, affirming that “we are all in the same boat” and reminding participants of the strength found in mutual support within the community.
During the case-sharing session, participants courageously spoke out about their personal struggles under the Pathway. One member of the Action Group recounted how his application for an Optional Open work permit (OOWP) was rejected, leading to the immediate loss of his employment. He is currently in the appeal process, yet as of the rally date, he has received no response from IRCC. The rejection has pushed him into a humanitarian crisis, leaving him in a state of acute hardship and instability.
Our members also read aloud written testimonies from other affected individuals. Some reported that their children have been unable to attend school or access healthcare due to their unresolved immigration status. Others shared that IRCC’s rejection has left them unable to work, resulting in forced job loss that affects entire families. These stories highlight the widespread and critical impact of the backlog and administrative error on Hong Kongers.
In Calgary, over 300 Hong Kongers attended the rally, standing together in solidarity to raise awareness about the ongoing immigration issues. Guest speaker Sam Lung delivered a heartfelt speech that encouraged participants and brought a sense of courage and warmth to the Hong Konger community. During the case-sharing session, several individuals spoke about the difficulties they faced due to the inability to extend their work permits or other legal documents to remain in Canada. Although the challenges are significant, the mutual support among participants created a strong sense of unity and resilience.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees, as well as the media who came to cover the event. Your presence, support, and participation were instrumental in making this rally possible. Without each and every one of you, this event would not have been a success. While the Hong Kong Pathway Backlog Action Group facilitates these platforms for sharing, it is important to note that the views expressed by individual guests and participants do not reflect those of the Action Group.
Lastly, Hong Kong Pathway Backlog Action Group will continue to organise and initiate actions in the future, particularly following the upcoming federal election. We will closely monitor the situation and developments affecting Hong Kongers. Please stay tuned, and we sincerely invite everyone to continue supporting our future actions. Thank you.
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