Canada suspends its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, contemplates increased immigration

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada is suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of new Chinese national security legislation and could take steps to boost immigration, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.

China imposed the legislation on the former British colony this week despite protests from Hong Kongers and western nations, establishing what is a major financial center on a more authoritarian path.

Trudeau said Canada will continue to defend Hong Kong, which is home to some 300,000 Canadians.

“Canada will treat exports of sensitive goods to Hong Kong in the same way as those destined for mainland China. Effectively immediately, Canada will not allow the export of sensitive military items to Hong Kong, ”said Trudeau.

“We are also suspending the extradition treaty between Canada and Hong Kong … we are also seeking additional measures, including around immigration,” he told reporters. He gave no details.

The new law has caused a sharp increase in inquiries from families seeking to move to Canada, but Ottawa’s tight COVID-19 border control measures make it nearly impossible to enter, immigration attorneys said.

Possible steps Ottawa could take include favoring Hong Kong residents who already have family in Canada, extending the amount of time people can stay temporarily, and allowing more people to apply for a work program that is a step in obtaining citizenship, lawyers say.

Trudeau spoke after leaders of Germany and Britain had already voiced concerns about the new law.

Previously, Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne condemned the “secret” way to enact the legislation, saying that Canada had been forced to reevaluate existing agreements.

Canada and China are caught in a diplomatic dispute that erupted in late 2018 after Canadian police detained Huawei Technologies Co [HWT.UL] chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou with an order from the United States.