Contact UVic Archives for access to the original resource and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions).This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
赫根巴登談加國政府對香港移民的看法(下)
幫派分子混入 政府採防範措施
【本報系記者薛曉光香港專訪】「加拿大的經濟情況，受到美國經濟逐漸好轉的鼓舞，已開始有好的徵兆。這兩、三年來對加拿大來說，相當的困難，但是這是正常的經濟循環，我們預期加拿大的經濟在短期內可以很快的反彈，至少在明年可以成為G—7高峰會談國家中成長最快的國家之一。」
找不到工作是許多移民加拿大港人的痛苦，赫根巴登承認這個事實並說：「過去兩年，在加拿大找工作真是非常困難，特別在多倫多地區，不只是香港移民不易找到工作，加拿大人也有同樣的困難。」
赫根巴登特別指出，雖然加拿大經濟情況並不是很好,但是加拿大並沒有像一些國家，因而關閉移民的大門。
新移民面對歧視問題，帶著眼鏡的赫根巴登認真的說：「在眾多港人移民的情況下，歧視的情況是相當有限的。」他表示，在每個國家都有這一類的問題，加拿大也相當重視這個問題。
了解是接受與容忍的第一步，加拿大與香港政府交叉合辦活動。兩年前，在香港舉辦了「加拿大節」，在本地香港加拿大人的支持下，為期五個星期，共有六十個節目。去年秋天加拿大也在五個大城市， 擧辦「香港節」，共一百個節目，從貿易、座談會、到龍舟競賽，流行歌曲、食品大 會、時装展示等等。
為避免歧視,赫根巴登誠懇的建議新移民學習語言，與加拿大人交朋友，參加當地社團活動及政治活動，他認為這些或許不是試圖避免歧視，而更是使香港人在加拿大有一個更豐富的生活。
赫根巴登表示理解新移民融入社會的主流需要時間，這是必然的過程。「新移民常常會聚集在一起，因為他們有相同的成長背景，生活習慣，他們也需要時間去調適新環境，所以加拿大政府了解，使新移民在心理上舒適很重要，慢慢的他們就會把觸角伸入新天地。」
除了部分移民回歸以外，赫根巴登也提到連繫著香港與加拿大的另一股強大力量是加拿大的香港留學生。數以萬計曾經在加拿大念書的香港人目前回到香港工作；他們在自己的行業，組織中積極工作，同時也與加拿大保持了千絲萬縷的關係。他繼續說：「當我們在香港舉行加拿大節時, 籌備組織的人多是香港加拿大人；其中組織龐大的香港留加校友會出力甚多。」
赫根巴登說：「十年前，我們就對三合會份子企圖在加拿大扎根採取防範手段， 十年後，我們還是保持高度警覺，絲毫未有鬆懈。最近新聞重提犯罪集團成員移民，並不是因爲有特殊的事件發生，而是因為加拿大最近強化法律，限制有犯罪集團嫌疑的人士入境。」
他表示，當年有三萬人自香港移民加拿大，難免會有少數不受歡迎的人想加入這個行列。「 我們很努力，現在更積極的立法，將不受歡迎的人排除在移民大門之外。」
亞洲幫派問題嚴肅處理
「亞洲幫派的問題目前對加拿大來說， 不像美國或者一些其他的國家那麼嚴重，但是我們非常嚴肅的在處理這個問題。」 赫根巴登表示，加拿大許多社區團體，對有組織的犯罪集體試圖在加拿大扎根也密切的注視，並且採取防預措施。
「有意思的是，加拿大政府加強對香港犯罪集團的防範，主要是來自香港移民的壓力。」赫根巴登提高了聲音說：「不少移民表示，他們移居加拿大，不僅是為了政治、經濟上的因素，也是因為加拿大人社會秩序良好，他們希望能保存安全的社會規律。」
對香港移民的要求，赫根巴登表示加拿大政府認真對待。加拿大與香港警察也有密切的聯繫，以防止有組織的犯罪集團行動。
曾公開支持港督彭定康的加拿大總理慕容尼在辭職後，加拿大政府對彭定康的政改方案還是採取支持態度嗎？
代表加國政府的赫根巴登說：「我們支持彭定康的政改方案，並不是因為該方案是唯一行的通的做法，我們支持是因為該方案符合繼續增進香港的民主化過程，我們相信這種做法是香港人民的要求，也體現了中英聯合申明。」
「我們相信增強香港民主化，對香港高度自治是有幫助的，對維護香港在一九九七年後的繁榮、穩定、個人自由與尊嚴, 也是不可或缺的條件。」
English translation: John Higginbotham Talking about How the Canadian Government Views the Immigrants from Hong Kong (Part 2)
The Government Took Actions to Prevent Gang Members from Entering Canada
Interviewed and reported by Xue Xiaoguang at Hong Kong
“The economic situation in Canada, influenced by the gradual improvement of the US economy, has begun to look up. These last two or three years have been quite difficult for Canada, but this is a normal economic cycle. We expect Canada's economy to rebound very quickly in the short term, and probably by next year, it will be the fastest growing country in the G-7 summit."
The difficulty of finding a job is the pain of many immigrants in Canada. Higginbotham admitted it and said: "It has been very difficult to find a job in Canada in the past two years, especially in the Toronto area, not just for Hong Kong immigrants. Canadians have the same difficulties."
He specifically pointed out that although Canada's economic situation is not very good, Canada does not close the door for immigration like some other countries. As to the issue of discrimination the new immigrants faced, Higginbotham said seriously: "In terms of the large number of Hong Kong immigrants, the cases of discrimination are quite limited." He said that the problem would not be encountered in every country. The government is quite serious about this issue.
Understanding is the first step for acceptance and tolerance. The Canadian and Hong Kong governments hold many events from time to time. Two years ago, the ‘Canada Festival’ was held in Hong Kong. With the support of Canadians in Hong Kong, the event lasted for five weeks and had 60 programs. Last fall, the ‘Hong Kong Festival’ was held in five major cities in Canada, with a total of 100 programs from trade and symposiums, to dragon boat races, pop songs, food exhibits, fashion shows and more.
To avoid discrimination, Higginbotham advised that new immigrants learn English, make friends with local Canadians, and participate in local social and political activities. Doing so not only avoids being discriminated against but also enriches the Hong Kong immigrants’ lives in Canada.
Higginbotham said that it takes time for the immigrants to join mainstream society, which is inevitable. "New immigrants often gather because they have the same background and living habits. They also need time to adjust to the new environment. Therefore, the Canadian government understands that it is important to make new immigrants comfortable. Slowly, they will extend their ‘tentacles’ into the new world."
In addition to the return of some immigrants, Higginbotham also mentioned that the other powerful force linking Hong Kong and Canada is Hong Kong's international students in Canada. Tens of thousands of Hong Kong people who have studied in Canada are currently returning to work in Hong Kong; they work actively in their own industries and organizations, and they also maintain close relationships with Canada. He continued: "When we held the ‘Canada Festival’ in Hong Kong, the people who organized the event were mostly Canadians in Hong Kong. A large number of Hong Kong alumni of Canadian universities contributed greatly."
Higginbotham said “About ten years ago we had taken actions to prevent Triad members from entering Canada. We are still on high alert for them ten years later. In recent news, they mentioned immigrant members of criminal groups. That is not because something specific happened but rather is due to the fact that Canada strengthened the law to prevent any criminal suspect from entering.”
He said that when 30,000 people immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong annually, there will inevitably be a few undesirables who want to join the immigrants. "We work hard and now have more active legislation to exclude these people from immigration."
Dealing with the Problem of Asian Gangs
"The problem of Asian gangs is not as serious for Canada as it is for the United States or some other countries. But we are very serious about dealing with this issue." Higginbotham said that many groups in Canada are closely monitoring and taking precautionary measures to stop attempts from gangs to take root in Canada.
"Interestingly, the Canadian government has stepped up its defense against Hong Kong criminal groups, mainly because of the pressure from Hong Kong immigrants." Higginbotham raised his voice and said: "Many immigrants said that they moved to Canada not only for political and economic reasons, but also because Canada has a good social order. They hope to have laws that safeguard individuals."
Higginbotham said that the Canadian government takes the requests of Hong Kong immigrants seriously. Canadian and the Hong Kong police also cooperate closely to prevent organized crime from taking action.
Since the Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who openly supported the Hong Kong Governor Christopher F. Patten, has resigned, will the Canadian government still hold a supportive attitude to Patten’s plan of political reform?
Higginbotham, representing the Canadian government, said “We support Patten’s plan of political reform not just because the plan is the only feasible one, but because it fits the needs of continuing to improve the democratic process. We believe that this meets the needs of Hong Kong people and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. “
“We believe that improving the democracy in Hong Kong will be helpful in realizing the autonomy of Hong Kong. This is an indispensable condition to maintain the prosperity, stability, and individual freedom and dignity after 1997.”
