Canada initiates deportation proceedings against community leader

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has initiated deportation proceedings against Rong Xiangyuan, the 63-year-old founder of the Canada-China Friendship Promotion Association. The agency alleges that Rong committed crimes against humanity during his military service in the Chinese army and misrepresented his military background when applying for permanent residency in 2008. Rong, who has lived in Canada since 2008, denies all allegations of war crimes.

Separately, civil rights advocates are calling for an investigation following a CBSA enforcement action during a protest in Calgary. After police requested immigration status checks for individuals at a Portage College graduate protest, CBSA officers identified 12 people as potentially inadmissible, leading to ten exclusion orders. Over 250 civil society groups, including Amnesty International Canada, have signed an open letter calling for an independent investigation and a suspension of the orders, expressing concern that peaceful assembly is being met with immigration enforcement.

In the case of Rong, the Immigration and Refugee Board will hold a hearing to determine his eligibility to remain in Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, specifically addressing allegations of war crimes and misrepresentation.