Young Hongkonger Joins Canadian Congress to Assist Hong Kong Issues on Human Rights

In Canada, a new face has recently emerged in its Congress circle. Donald Cheng is a young Hongkonger who has been chosen as an intern for the Canadian House of Commons. Donald assists a member of Congress, MP Garnett Genuis, in presenting Hong Kong issues to Congress concerning the human rights situation in Hong Kong.

Donald Cheng, whose professional background centered on social work, obtained an Open Work Permit (OWP) in Canada. After he got his visa, he joined the Youth Initiative Program of Hong Kong Watch—a Human Rights group.

Donald’s interview performance with the Office Members of the Canadian Parliament earned him an opportunity of a lifetime: an internship at the Congress Office. It would later mark as his stepping stone to becoming an assistant to Garrett Genius, a Canadian conservative politician and member of the House of Commons.

On the afternoon of March 25, Toronto Hongkongers’ Community Center held a gathering event, with a recruitment fair and job search workshops. The event attracts many prospective job seekers.

Donald also shared his political journey at a special roundtable event of Congress’ internship experience. He and Aileen Calverley, co-founder and trustee of Hong Kong Watch, collected signatures for the Congress on issues related to Hong Kong.

Donald was never a politician; his internship at Congress has been eye-opening. His job requires him to follow up on Hong Kong issues and learn about human rights and immigration issues worldwide. For instance, places such as Ukraine, Turkey, Pakistan, and China are part of MP Garnett’s concerns.

For Donald to be fluent in his tasks as an assistant to a Congress member, he has to study issues from all over the world. He also needs to prepare detailed proposals and bring Hong Kong topics to the Congress table, helping the Parliament to grasp problems quickly.

“Unlike my job in the past as a social worker, the work is entirely different,” Donald explains.

But the two jobs are more similar than he thinks: policies are paramount to civilians’ needs. Congress members’ initiatives are inseparable from the community.

As a former social worker, Donald empathizes with people within communities, as he regularly steps into the people’s shoes and makes recommendations to change for the better accordingly.

A Social Worker in Hong Kong

Imagining a social worker becoming a politician’s assistant may seem complicated. Still, you will be surprised by how much administrative work is required of a social worker in Hong Kong, aside from working with people in the community.

Because of that, the nature of social service can be deviated from its intent.

“I worked as a social worker’s assistant at a youth center while in college,” Donald recalled. His interest in social work became a reality thanks to a political activist.

Former Hong Kong Legislative Council member and remanded democracy activist Leung Kwok-hung, also known as Long Hair, gave a speech at Gratia Christian College in Donald’s third year.

Leung detailed how Hong Kong’s social and political environment affected the operation of the social work industry.

Leung’s speech inspired Donald, “From how Leung’s analyzed the industry trend, I began to think about the issues emerging from the social welfare system: is the system people or government oriented?”

Leung’s speech confirmed Donald’s fate as a social worker.

During college, Donald met friends in the social work circle, which made him realize that being a social worker had a quota to fulfill, much like a salesperson.

A quota is usually a baseline of how well someone needs to perform in the sales industry. In the past, meeting the quota was primarily for commercial and sales volume purposes, but nowadays, it also applies to social workers.

It did, however, come as a shock when Donald realized social workers were required to meet set quotas.

Donald explained that social cases were not his core work. He spent a lot of energy and effort processing project proposals, financial documents, and accounting receipts.

Donald recalled that finding ways to secure funding and meeting particular service volume overrode the need to serve society.

When he graduated in 2019, Hong Kong was overwhelmed with an active anti-extradition movement, and the protests were in full swing.

The Chinese Communist Party had intensified its devouring of democracy and erosion of freedom in Hong Kong throughout the protests. As soon as the National Security Law emerged, Donald realized Hong Kong was no longer a safe place for him.

So he made his way to the United States of America for education and the potential of migration.

Study in the U.S.

In September 2021, Donald attended Andrews University in Michigan for his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. While studying, he also interned at a non-profit organization, Neighbor to Neighbor.

In just a short year, Donald saw the cultural differences in social work approaches between Hong Kong and America.

Donald saw social work in America seem far more focused on the community and people-oriented.

“In America, social work is based on three principles: dignity, freedom, and social justice of human beings.” Donald said.

Unlike Hong Kong food banks, which feel more like almsgiving and more mandatory as a charity, food banks in America would offer a variety of food selections. It feels more dynamic and allows the beneficiaries a more dignified and respected experience.”

Work in Canada

Initially, Donald intended to relocate to the United States after finding a job there.

However, in 2021, Canada launched a lifeboat plan for Hongkongers amid the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong.

Canada opens its arms to students graduating from qualified colleges and universities within five years to apply for an open work visa (OWP). Eligible applicants can work for a year and obtain permanent residency using the  stream B Hong Kong Pathway.

Compared with the immigration criteria of the United States, Canada’s policies are more relaxed. So Donald headed to Canada in 2022 and joined Hong Kong Watch Canada as a volunteer and signed up for the Youth Initiative Program.

The Youth Initiative offers workshops, training, and assistance to apply for Congress internships or become political party volunteers.

Hong Kong Watch conducted its first workshop online with 18 participants from all over Canada. After various guest speeches, Donald gained a deeper understanding of Canada’s democracy, parliament body, and government.

After attending eight workshops, Donald was interviewed for an internship at the Canadian Parliament.

Donald’s response awoke and impressed the interviewers when asked about his thoughts on the National Security Law. He told them, “The China government has completely destroyed human freedom and democracy.”

Later, Donald was offered the intern position.

Continued with Hong Kong Issues

Aside from comprehension skills, listening and writing fast in English were crucial for success as an assistant to a congressman. Other than being an effective listener, Donald must be more involved with news and social trends worldwide. His colleagues suggested watching more news programs to stay ahead of global affairs.

Comparing his experience as a social worker, Congress members must cover other vital aspects such as economy, medical care, housing, and social welfare.”

“Since I am more familiar with Hong Kong affairs, my ability can fully play to Hong Kong’s advantage, such as expanding and extending the Lifeboat Scheme Stream B permanent residence policy. Alternatively, I can aid campaigns for releasing political prisoners in Hong Kong,” he said.

He explained, “The China government has destroyed human freedom, and democratic activists, who the National Security Law has oppressed, should be written down and drafted for the Canadian legislators.”

Previously only needing to care for a single community and its youth, Donald is responsible for something much bigger now: human rights from communities worldwide, instead of just one neighborhood full of Hongkongers.

Regardless of where Donald may be physically now or in the future, his heart remains on helping Hongkongers.

Donald wants to tell everyone that there is a greater purpose for their leaving Hong Kong, “Being overseas is a chance to accomplish things that we cannot do in Hong Kong.”

With Hong Kong on his mind, Donald’s determination is unshakable.