Emigration accelerated after widespread and largely peaceful demonstrations across the city in 2019 turned more disruptive and at times violent.

Hong Kong authorities maintain that the national security law restored order to the city after more than a year of street protests.

“No question there’s definitely an uptick this year in people coming in from Hong Kong,” said Ken Wong Tin-lok, a Vancouver-based Canadian immigration consultant.

Vancouver in particular has been a desired destination for immigrants from southern China for the better part of two centuries. More than a quarter of its population is of Chinese origin, making it an appealing landing point for those seeking cultural familiarity as they settle in Canada.

Since June last year, the Canadian government has offered two pathways for Hongkongers to become permanent residents.

Stream A is for those who come to pursue a two-year diploma or degree from a recognised Canadian institution, while those in Stream B need to have graduated from a recognised postsecondary institution within five years and then have worked in Canada for a year. The pathways are due to stay in place through to August 2026.

Wealthy emigrants to remove up to US$65 billion from mainland China, Hong Kong

“The temporary policy is a giveaway of permanent residency where you can come and secure a work permit,” Wong said.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the government body responsible for processing the influx, 1,260 people were admitted under the scheme as permanent residents through July this year.

Of this total, 1,165 belong to Stream A. They account for a portion of the more than 6,000 Hong Kong residents who have emigrated to Canada through other existing programmes over the last three years.

One Stream B beneficiary is Paul Lau Chun-por. Lau, 47, came to Vancouver more than six months ago with his wife and two children, aged eight and 10.

Previously a secondary schoolteacher for 18 years, Lau graduated last year with a master’s in education and took advantage of Canada’s new policy for Hongkongers.

Lau and his wife deliberated about leaving for Canada for a year before proceeding. He was worried about giving up “a good stable job” in Hong Kong. Initially Lau thought he could just send their children to university in Canada when they got older.

“But we were thinking, if the children go over, then we will miss out on them growing up, the experience of being together with them,” Lau explained. “We wanted to try to come together as a whole family.”

Hong Kong migration to Canada soars to levels unseen since 1998

At first they stayed in an Airbnb, then moved to a rental arrangement containing second-hand furniture donated by friends living in Vancouver. These friends have also helped drive the Lau family around their new hometown.

“I adjusted quite quickly,” said Lau of his life in Vancouver. “We have gotten to know the city, going to different parks, trails, hiking, cycling and camping.”

Working in family ministry, Lau organised activities helping new immigrants get acquainted and took part in practical classes offered by the group: learning “Canadian English”, how to open a bank account, how to answer questions on a driving test, and how to do simple home repairs.

By Lau’s estimate, he has personally helped about 20 families get settled in Vancouver, and he and his colleagues have helped more than 100 families in the last five months.

The Chinese Christian Mission is one of several groups dispensing much-needed help to newcomers, although not all of the immigrants start smoothly.

Yet no matter how much information immigrants to Canada gather to prepare for the move, Lau said, the reality of their experience is different.

“Some rent places based on pictures online, and then they come and discover the location is not as convenient, not as advertised, or it’s noisy because it’s next to a construction site.”

Lau preaches calm. “We tell them not to be so anxious to find a place to live,” he said. “Hongkongers want things done fast, but when you immigrate on your own or with your family, housing is a big issue. You need to be here to see where everything is.”

Like Lau, Bobo Wong Ching-tsz initially felt reluctant about immigrating but has now become enthusiastic about her new life.

Wong, 28, arrived last December and secured a job interview soon after, having laid the groundwork by applying for work while in Hong Kong.

Previously working with children, Wong is now employed by an elderly care home in Vancouver’s Chinatown, organising activities for its residents.

“I couldn’t see a future in Hong Kong, even though I didn’t want to leave,” said Wong, whose arrival in Canada was memorably marked by snowfall, her first time experiencing it. Still she believed there was no need to be scared of coming to Vancouver.

“There are many opportunities here, though the salary is lower than in Hong Kong,” Wong said. “But you can try many different things, like hiking and kayaking. When winter comes, I want to learn how to ski.”

For Colin Liu Ho-yin, 28, the adventure of settling into Vancouver has gone relatively smoothly, helped by his past familiarity with the city and a family connection.

Liu visited Canada eight years before arriving in Vancouver as an immigrant nearly three months ago. He was preceded in his move by his younger sister, who had persuaded him to join her and her husband in relocating.

Eager to hit the ground running, Liu began applying for jobs in Vancouver before his arrival. A month ago he started working in the human resources department of a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

“I have a really good supervisor who values my experience and helped me translate my work experience in Canada,” said Liu, who praised what he called “Canadian inclusiveness”.

“During lunchtime we all sit together outside and colleagues share some home-made food like ice cream and carrot cake.”

Liu recently earned a master’s in human resources management, and after he obtained a Canadian work permit, he had two months to pack up and bid farewell to his friends in Hong Kong.

Wong, the immigration consultant, said the Canadian government was using education as a way to entice young people. The idea is to help fill some of the job sectors that are understaffed at the moment, especially in food and drink, retail, IT and media.

“Hongkongers are coming here and start working and paying taxes,” said Wong, who noted a contrast with earlier immigrants who arrived in the 1980s and 1990s.

“For Canada these are tangible benefits instead of just having wealthy migrants investing in real estate or businesses.”