The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Dear Minister Diab,

We write in response to your recent remarks in Parliament concerning the Hong Kong Pathway and the growing backlog faced by applicants awaiting permanent residence in Canada.

We sincerely appreciate Canada's support for Hong Kong residents through the immigration measures introduced since 2021. These measures provided safety, opportunity, and hope during a period of profound uncertainty in Hong Kong.

We also recognize your observation that some Hong Kong residents have successfully obtained permanent residence through other pathways, including provincial nominee programs, economic streams, and family sponsorship. While we welcome every successful transition, alternative pathways do not answer the central question of whether the Hong Kong Pathway itself is functioning as intended.

The Hong Kong Pathway was established with broad cross-party support and strong public backing as part of Canada's response to the changing situation in Hong Kong.

According to IRCC figures as of March 31, 2026, the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways had received 46,445 applications, while only 14,220 had been finalized, leaving approximately 32,225 applications in inventory. Over the preceding five months alone, more than 4,400 new applications were received while only approximately 700 applications were finalized.

Although the pathway remains open until August 31, 2026, growing inventory and limited admissions space are creating a widening gap between its stated objectives and its practical operation. Individual success through alternative immigration streams cannot substitute for the effective implementation of the pathway itself. A pathway should be judged by whether it delivers its intended objectives, not by whether some applicants are able to find alternatives.

We therefore respectfully call upon the Government of Canada to:

• Implement a one-time backlog reduction measure in the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan for Hong Kong Pathway applicants and other eligible applicants under temporary public policies within the Humanitarian and Compassionate category; 
• Allocate sufficient admissions space to process the existing Hong Kong Pathway inventory within a reasonable timeframe.

We remain grateful for Canada's support and committed to constructive dialogue on practical, evidence-based solutions.

Sincerely,

Hong Kong Pathway Alliance and Supporters