Open Letter to the PM: Free Jimmy Lai

Dear Prime Minister Carney, and Minister Anand,

Open Letter: Free Jimmy Lai

Since the enactment of Hong Kong's extradition bill in 2019 and the draconian National Security Law in 2020 severely compromised Hong Kong's judicial system and the "one country, two system" rule, Hong Kong has lost autonomy, and its people have lost the most basic human rights and freedoms. Many people have been arrested, jailed and persecuted under these laws for standing up for democracy, for attending peaceful pro-democracy protests, even for merely participating in primary elections. Those convicted can face life imprisonment.

Jimmy Lai, founder of the very popular newspaper Apple Daily, is a steadfast champion of democratic principles and journalistic freedom in Hong Kong. Mr. Lai has also become a most high-profile political prisoner. He was arrested and charged under the National Security Law in December 2020 and has spent nearly 1700 days in prison; his sham trial has resumed today. Mr Lai, who has many connections to Canada, needs your advocacy. He is 77 years old, and his health is quickly declining. Mr. Lai has close ties to Canada, and this is a time for Canada to step up and be world leaders in protecting human rights and democratic values.

I have long called to free Jimmy Lai. In June 2025 I joined with members of all parties, who came together with Mr. Lai’s family and his international legal team to champion freedom for Jimmy Lai just ahead of the G7 in June – yet your government failed to take that opportunity to send a clear message.

I again ask that you now advocate for Mr. Lai and request his humanitarian release. I also renew my calls on your government to act on your Ministerial authority to grant Jimmy Lai honorary Canadian citizenship. The urgency in Mr. Lai’s case is acute and I hope you will act with the necessary swiftness.

Sincerely,
Jenny Kwan
Member of Parliament for Vancouver East

Cc: Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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But two New Democrats from the NDP’s seven-member caucus — which could play a critical role in helping or blocking the budget’s passage — suggested Wednesday they would be hard-pressed to support the document, even as interim leader Don Davies told the Star his party needs more time to make a decision. Others in his caucus played coy about their plans to decide the future of the Carney government.

Speaking to the Star before the NDP caucus meeting Wednesday, Winnipeg’s Leah Gazan and Vancouver’s Jenny Kwan said they have ruled out abstaining, but did not commit to voting against the budget.

“We’re elected here to make a point, to take a position,” Kwan said. “I’ve always done that in all my entire political life and I will represent my constituents.”

Click link to read the news story - https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/mark-carneys-liberals-welcome-mp-who-crossed-the-floor-as-the-hunt-for-budget-support/article_481bea0e-cee0-41fb-8b3d-e22aea01a68d.html

Globe & Mail: Federal budget 2025: Foreigners living in Canada will get permanent residence priority, Immigration Minister says

On Tuesday the federal government announced a dramatic cut in the number of temporary residents – halving admissions of international students to Canada in the next three years, while stabilizing the number of permanent residents.

Ms. Diab was unavailable for comment. Unusually, the annual levels plan was unveiled in the budget and is being spearheaded by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, rather than the Immigration Minister.

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said the government’s plan “represents a disappointing retreat from Canada’s historical role as a welcoming, progressive and inclusive country for immigrants, refugees, international students and temporary foreign workers.”

She said the decision to slash international student numbers, coming on top of previous reductions, will “further devastate colleges and universities and the communities that rely on them, while causing job losses across the country.”

Click link to read the news story - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-permanent-residence-freeze-canada-diab-federal-budget-2025/

iPOLITICS: Liberals, NDP delete proposed changes to birthright citizenship from ‘lost Canadians’ bill

The federal Liberals have helped pass an NDP motion that removes proposed restrictions to birthright citizenship from the government’s ‘Lost Canadians’ bill, despite the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voting in opposition.

On Monday, MPs voted on report stage amendments to Bill C-3 initiated by NDP MP Jenny Kwan that sought to reverse previously adopted changes that would require people eligible for birthright citizenship under the proposed law to fulfill residency and security requirements — similar to prospective immigrants.

The bill now proceeds to third reading, where it is expected to pass, before it moves on to the Senate. If codified, the ‘Lost Canadians’ bill would restore citizenship to people born in a foreign country to Canadian parents who were also born outside Canada.

But Conservative and Bloc MPs passed amendments that would introduce additional criteria for ‘lost Canadians’ to receive citizenship during an immigration committee meeting last month. The amendments would require those eligible to demonstrate, among other things, proficiency in either English or French, as well as a basic knowledge of Canadian history.

Though the Liberals opposed the changes, the amendments passed because the NDP no longer have a seat on committees after failing to keep official party status in this past year’s federal election.

During a recent interview, Kwan told iPolitics that the Tory-proposed changes conflate the rights of immigrants with ‘lost Canadians,’ which she said was “sneaky” and “unCanadian.”

“To me, it is absolutely disgraceful… [so] I’m looking to restore the bill to its original form,” she said.

Kwan’s motion passed by a margin of 170 to 163.

Following the vote, she called the result a “victory for every family who refused to give up, for every Canadian denied their birthright, and for the principle that citizenship belongs to the people — not to politicians.”

Click link to read the news story - https://www.ipolitics.ca/2025/11/03/liberals-ndp-delete-proposed-changes-to-birthright-citizenship-from-lost-canadians-bill/