Hong Kong immigrants in Canada rushing to return to Asian homelands

A growing number of Canadian citizens originating from Hong Kong are turning their backs on their adopted country and going home.

Recently-released demographic data tells the tale of fast-diminishing numbers of Asian-Canadian citizens, down by 32,000 in the last 17 years. Canada’s National Household Survey shows a total of 209,000 Hong Kong-born residents, a third of whom are settled in Metro Vancouver.

In 1996, 241,000 immigrants from Hong Kong lived in the region, meaning that thousands are leaving every year to go back for their country of origin. Hong Kong’s economic growth since it was handed back to China is cited as one reason as returnees can earn more money than in Canada, and reuniting with families is another strong draw based on Chinese culture.

Unlike most of China, Hong Kong has a vibrant free trade market, giving more opportunities for higher salaries and career advancement than in Vancouver and other Canadian cities. The local tax rate of just 17 per cent overall is another major attraction which, together with shorter working hours, gives more recreation time and more spare cash. I

mmigration lawyers suggest that repatriates may also have deliberately acquired Canadian citizenship and had no intention of staying in the country long-term. The Chinese, they say, are an established part of the new-style, wealthy international class of citizens who enjoy the options and insurance of possessing dual citizenship.