FEARS of a political upheaval after 1997 has led to a surge in young, wealthy Hong Kong businessmen applying to emigrate to Canada, according to one of the country's leading immigration lawyers.
Mendel Green said the number of applicants through his Tsim Sha Tsui office has now surpassed the flood that followed Beijing's bloody crackdown of the pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
'I think most of the people I have seen are upset by the announcements by the Chinese Government that they are going to dismiss the political reforms that Chris Patten wants,' Mr Green said. 'They seem to be expressing fears for the future more so than ever before. Unfortunately, I'm not sure their fears are justified.' Beijing has said that it will dismantle the democratic reforms set up by Mr Patten when it resumes sovereignty over Hong Kong.
Mr Green said the increase in applications could also be linked to a recently leaked report compiled by the Canadian Government that says the country intends to reduce its immigration quotas next year.
According to the Canadian press, the report recommends that global immigration targets should be dropped by 50,000 to about 200,000 next year to cover a drop in overall applications.
The report, which was leaked in the Toronto press last month, also suggested that rules be toughened so that only spouses and children sponsored by Canadians or landed immigrants are accepted automatically.
The document, prepared for Immigration Minister Sergio Marchi, suggested the Canadian public feels that 'immigration is out of control'.