6 December 2009
Hong Kong
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on youth mobility with Hong Kong following a meeting with Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The MOU will allow qualified young people aged 18 to 30 from Canada and Hong Kong to travel and work in each other’s territory for up to one year. It is expected to come into effect in March 2010.
“As a result of this agreement, young people will gain an understanding of other cultures by living, working and travelling abroad,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This experience will also help them develop personally and professionally, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.”
Canada currently has 20 bilateral arrangements in place that encourage youth mobility. Additional bilateral arrangements have been signed with Spain, Slovenia and Lithuania in 2009. These arrangements will come into effect in 2010.
