Canada denounces Hong Kong's bounties on pro-democracy advocates living abroad
Article content
In a joint statement, federal Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Saturday that Canada will not tolerate what it describes as an attempt for Hong Kong 'to conduct transnational repression abroad.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
The statement came after Hong Kong police announced Friday warrants and rewards for 19 activists for 'suspected contravention' of its National Security Law for their roles in promoting self-determination in the Chinese special administrative region.
Article content
Article content
'The new warrant … will help to draw more attention for (the) international community to realize that the transnational repression of (China) is so toxic and dangerous to normal people on exercising freedom of expression and speech,' Ho said in a text message to The Canadian Press.
Article content
Ho added he was not surprised to hear his name on the new warrant list again, and the best policy on handling the situation is 'to keep everyday business as usual as possible.'
Article content
Article content
The new list of 19 people added at least three other Canadian residents to the list with rewards of HK$200,000 offered, including Vancouver-based activist Keung Ka-wai.
Article content
Article content
Keung said while he is somewhat concerned about his safety, he does not plan to stop his work in the Hong Kong democratic movement as he has already been arrested nine times and jailed twice for his participation before leaving for Canada.
Article content
'It is very important to us because that is our dream,' Keung said of the pro-democracy movement. 'And we have to do what must be done to develop the democracy of Hong Kong.
Article content
'I think it is really important to me and to every Hong Konger.'
Article content
Hong Kong police said in its announcement that they are calling on those on the wanted list to return and turn themselves in instead of 'making more mistakes,' but Keung said he has no plans to do so.
Article content
Ho agreed, adding that he is not concerned about his personal safety and has cut off all contact with Hong Kong family members since last year, and Global Affairs Canada has reached out to find out how many people living in the country are being targeted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
5 minutes ago
- CBC
Report shows Canadian-made military equipment, including bullets, were exported to Israel
Rachel Small, Canada lead for World Beyond War, said a report detailing Israeli import data and shipping records shows 'the extent to which Canadian military products are deeply embedded in Israel's military infrastructure.' The Canadian government says it has restricted shipments of items that could be used in Gaza.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tax data suggests lethal Canadian arms still being exported to Israel
OTTAWA – Israeli customs data suggests lethal Canadian arms are still being exported regularly to that country, despite Ottawa's claim that it has halted such shipments. A coalition of Canadian advocates for Palestinians examined data published by the Israel Tax Authority showing shipments from Canada classified as bullets, guns and weapons arriving in Israel. Parliament voted in favour of a non-binding motion in March 2024 to halt new arms permits for Israel, and the government subsequently announced a review of existing export permits. That month, the office of then-foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly said none of the operating permits allowed for the export of 'lethal goods' to Israel. Yara Shoufani of the Palestinian Youth Movement says the Canadian government has not been transparent about what's reaching Israel, and she wonders if the federal government misled Parliament. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Global Affairs Canada and the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand did not immediately provide comment on the report. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Protesters offer less-than-Friendly Manitoba welcome to U.S. ambassador to Canada
Dozens of protesters lined the streets outside the Winnipeg Art Gallery Tuesday afternoon, denouncing a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon featuring the United States' ambassador to Canada. Waving signs and chanting slogans, the crowd — which grew to nearly 100 — slammed American foreign policy, accusing Ambassador Pete Hoekstra of representing an administration that promotes division and undermines global co-operation. Canada and the U.S. have been involved in contentious trade talks for months, and another of President Donald Trump's deadlines for imposing additional punishing tariffs on Canadian imports is quickly approaching on Thursday. Some demonstrators also took aim at the chamber itself for offering Hoekstra a platform during a politically fraught time, while others turned their criticism toward Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'Carney, Carney, you can't hide, we know you are on Trump's side!' some in the crowd shouted. The rally began with about 50 people just before noon outside the WAG on Memorial Boulevard, then shifted around the corner to St. Mary Avenue. There, protesters greeted arriving luncheon guests with chants, boos and pointed signage. 'We're here saying we need an independent foreign policy, we can't follow the U.S.,' said Sarah Brobridge, who was with the Winnipeg Coalition for Peace and Sovereignty. 'We can't follow them into the murderous, genocidal wars they're dragging us into. We're standing against the five per cent (of GDP contribution to NATO's) budget, which is going to rip away from social needs, housing and health care — everything that people need here (in Canada). And we're standing up against the U.S.'s decline into fascism.' The group also questioned the chamber's choice of speaker, arguing it should reflect on why it invited someone whose 'avowed purposes include making Canada an appendage of the U.S. war machine and to make Canada the 51st state.' The Free Press has requested comment from the chamber. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Protesters also called out Premier Wab Kinew and Mayor Scott Gillingham, demanding answers for what they called 'silence' and a lack of criticism over Hoekstra's visit. 'I am opposed to American imperialism anywhere, and the fascist trends going on there and the threat that poses to Canada and the rest of the world,' said Ann LeTouche, who held a sign that said, 'Tariff this, sphincter face,' and another that read, 'Justifying mass murder is psychopathy.' LeTouche also critiqued the rally's focus, noting that some of the messaging veered off topic. 'We need to focus on the fact that this is a visit of an ambassador for a country that's threatened to invade us,' she said. Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
