Pro-Democracy Group for Hong Kong Launched in Canada; Parliamentarians Express Support

(L to R): Hong Kong Watch co-founders Benedict Rogers and Aileen Calverley, Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, Conservative MPs James Bezan and Garnett Genuis at the official launch of Hong Kong Watch Canada on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 30, 2023. NTD/Annie Wu

A UK-based pro-democracy group that monitors human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law in Hong Kong officially launched its Canadian branch on May 30, with 20 parliamentarians of various political stripes in attendance to support its inauguration ceremony on Parliament Hill.

The launch was hosted by four patrons of Hong Kong Watch Canada and parliamentarians, including Conservative MPs Garnett Genuis, Melissa Lantsman, James Bezan, and Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, as well as former Hong Kong Legislative Council member Dennis Kwok. Nearly 100 people attended the event.

The parliamentarians expressed support for the pro-democracy movement and welcomed newcomers from Hong Kong escaping political persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They also urged the federal government to combat Beijing’s interference in the sovereignty and democratic values of Canada.

Liberal MP Jean Yip and NDP MP Jenny Kwan delivered opening speeches, alongside former Liberal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and former Liberal Sen. Jim Munson.

Aileen Calverley, co-founder of Hong Kong Watch, said the Canadian branch was formed in part to assist Hong Kongers who face CCP’s intimidation in Canada.

“We … got a lot of cases about intimidation in [the] Hong Kong community—some beheading videos, some kinds of threat messages, and email,” she told NTD, The Epoch Times’ sister media on May 30.

“With Hong Kong Watch Canada, we can be there and meet [those escaping Hong Kong], and also arrange meetings for them with other MPs, to inform our prime minister and also the Canadian government about the intimidation and threat from CCP on Canadian soil.”

‘Anti-Humane Activity’

Housakos said the launch of Hong Kong Watch Canada will help in “sensitizing” Canada’s politicians and the public to understand what China is doing to the people of Hong Kong.

“It is also very important that all Canadians understand that the Trudeau Government has to take immediate and unequivocal action against all officials in Hong Kong, corrupt officials that are doing all the heavy lifting for Beijing,” he told NTD.

He recommended using the Sergei Magnitsky Law to sanction those officials so “they don’t find safe haven here” in Canada, and “they don’t have the opportunity to move the proceeds of their illegal activity and their despicable anti-humane activity into our country,” he added.

Bezan, who was instrumental in pushing for the enactment of the Magnitsky Act in Canada, said the “terror” China inflicts on dissidents goes beyond its borders, citing examples in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“[We] witnessed how the PRC [People’s Republic of China] continues to try to expand their geopolitical sphere of influence, trying to expand their empire building, and that has started with what they’ve done in Hong Kong,” he said in his speech.

‘Nothing Will Silence Us’

Kwan, who announced on May 29 that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) confirmed she too is a target of Beijing, said nothing will deter her from fighting for democracy and human rights, Hong Kongers included.

“Nothing will silence us,” she said to the attendees, citing the cases of Conservative MP Michael Chong and his party’s former leader Erin O’Toole who both confirmed in May that CSIS informed them they are under the CCP’s radar.

Kwan said that, while she appreciates the Liberal government’s implementation of the “lifeboat scheme” that offers a pathway to Canada for Hong Kongers, she said the scheme is “flawed.”

“There is much work to be done to address and to support the people of Hong Kong, and that includes those with a criminal record,” she said, referring to participants in Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy movement.

“They have a criminal record because they protested, and they were out there, putting themselves out there, and because the way in which the Chinese government has approached this, there is a criminal record for them.”

Yip agreed with Kwan, saying the government will continue to advocate for those who wish to settle in Canada.

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and CEO of Hong Kong Watch said the group is also advocating for Hong Kongers whose pension funds are at risk.

“Many Hong Kongers who leave Hong Kong have been denied access to their pension funds by the Hong Kong authorities, so those are issues that we will advocate on and campaign on here in Canada,” he told NTD.

Munson said Canadians should not forget what is happening in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is very close to Canada,” he told NTD. “Hong Kongers have given so much to this country.”

Annie Wu contributed to this report.