Hong Kong – Commissioner of Police inspects Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol’s 60th Anniversary Parade (with photos)

Commissioner of Police inspects Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol’s 60th Anniversary Parade (with photos)

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     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, today (March 26) served as the reviewing officer to inspect the 60th Anniversary Parade of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (HKRSP) at the Hong Kong Police College.
      
     Officiating at the parade, Mr Siu Chak-yee said: “It is a significant milestone for HKRSP to mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment this year. This is the first time for HKRSP to adopt Chinese-style foot drill at its anniversary parade, demonstrating HKRSP’s sense of national identity and sense of belonging to the country.”
      
     According to Police figures, there were 89 fatal traffic accidents in 2022, a drop of 5 cases as compared with 2021. This marked a record low since 1954. The number of fatal and serious traffic accidents also dropped by 46%, from 1,918 in 2021 to 1,045 in 2022. The number of fatal and serious traffic accidents involving bicycles also decreased by 71%, from 515 in 2021 to 150 in 2022.
      
     However, Police noted that elderly pedestrians aged 65 or above were the most vulnerable road users in traffic accidents. In 2022, there were 38 elderly pedestrians aged 65 or above died in traffic accidents, accounting for 70% of the total number.
      
     The Government has all along been devoted to raising public awareness on road safety and strengthening their knowledge on using roads properly. In collaboration with HKRSP and other partners, Police strive to promote road safety. Besides supporting various publicity campaigns on road safety, HKRSP also conveys messages and information on road safety to the elderly and other stakeholders through its networks, and encourages mutual support and assistance among all sectors of the community to care for elderly pedestrians.
      
     Police launched the first WeChat report platform – “Project PROVE – Public Reporting Offences with Video Evidence” in May 2022, for members of the public to upload videos and photos and report non-emergency traffic related offences. The project aims at raising the law-abiding awareness of motorists, to stay alert and exercise tolerance and patience, in order to raise the general road safety. The “Project PROVE” platform has received more than 57,000 reports up to the end of February 2023, with an average of 5,200 reports per month.
      
     HKRSP has developed into a team of over 11,000 members. In addition to more than 370 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as member schools, over 30 elderly and adult traffic safety teams have also been established.
      
     Police will continue to work closely with HKRSP to promote the importance of road safety and encourage all sectors of society to pursue the vision of “Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong’s Goal”.

Canada – Commissioner of Competition advocates for more competition in remarks to Canadian Bar Association

GATINEAU, QC – Competition Bureau

Today, Canada’s Commissioner of Competition, Matthew Boswell, championed the power of competition in building a more prosperous Canada at the Canadian Bar Association Fall Symposium.

In his speech, Commissioner Boswell underscored the importance of competition – including the need for a modernization of competition laws in Canada – as the country pivots from crisis management to economic recovery.

Competition is a key catalyst of productivity and economic growth. It attracts investment, stimulates the creation of high-skilled jobs and fuels exports of Canadian products, services, and ideas.

The Commissioner’s full remarks can be viewed or read on the Competition Bureau’s website.

“Today, competition matters more than ever. In Canada, a robust competition policy agenda will be critical to rebuilding stronger, more resilient and more inclusive economies from coast to coast to coast. A greater focus on pro-competitive policies can safeguard the wealth and prosperity of all Canadians”

Matthew Boswell

Commissioner of Competition

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

Hong Kong – Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise (with photo)

Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise (with photo)

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     The Central People’s Government, on the recommendation and nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has approved the appointment of Ms Louise Ho Pui-shan, formerly Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, as Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the removal of Mr Hermes Tang Yi-hoi from the post of Commissioner of Customs and Excise with effect from today (October 21). Mr Tang proceeded on pre-retirement leave on the same day after serving the Customs and Excise Department for 34 years.
 
     Commenting on the appointment of Ms Ho, Mrs Lam said, “Ms Ho has served in the Customs and Excise Department for 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. She possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that she will lead the Customs and Excise Department in meeting the challenges ahead.”
 
     Speaking on the retirement of Mr Tang, Mrs Lam said, “Since taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Customs and Excise in July 2017, Mr Tang has made sustained efforts in leading the Department with distinguished results on the prevention of smuggling activities, the protection and collection of Government revenue on dutiable goods, the detection and deterrence of narcotics trafficking and abuse of controlled drugs, the protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests, the regulation of money service operators, the protection and facilitation of legitimate trade and the upholding of Hong Kong’s trading integrity. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Tang for his contribution to the HKSAR and I wish him a happy retirement.”
 
     The following are biographical notes on Mr Tang and Ms Ho:
 
Mr Hermes Tang
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     Mr Tang joined the Immigration Department as Immigration Assistant in February 1985. He subsequently joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in 1987. He was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2009, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2011, to Chief Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2015 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2016. He took up the Commissioner of Customs and Excise post in July 2017.
 
     Mr Tang has been awarded seven Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendations between 1992 and 2006; Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendation in 1997; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2005, with the first and second clasps in 2012 and 2017 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2014; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2019; and the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2021.
 
Ms Louise Ho
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     Ms Ho joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in February 1991. She was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2010, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2017 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2019.
 
     Ms Ho has been awarded three Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendations in 1999, 2003 and 2005 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2009, with the first clasp in 2016; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017.

Hong Kong – Customs Commissioner issues statement in response to media reports

Customs Commissioner issues statement in response to media reports

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     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, today (July 8) issued the following statement in response to media reports:

     I confirm that I have attended a dinner hosted at a catering premises earlier and was issued a fixed penalty notice for failing to meet the maximum persons allowed rule as required in the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance. This fine has been paid. I will exercise particular caution when attending events in the future and will be sure to meet with the requirement.

     Regarding media reports that alleged the dinner was involved with a criminal case, I must clarify that the dinner was not involved in the aforesaid criminal case. In view that the legal proceedings of the case are ongoing, I will not comment further.

Canada – Minister Guilbeault to Announce the First Commissioner and Directors of the New Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, will announce the first Commissioner and Directors of the new Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

OTTAWA – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, will take part in a virtual press conference to announce the first Commissioner and Directors of the new Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. This announcement is part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to ensure the promotion and revitalization of First Nations, Inuit and Métis languages in Canada.

Please note that all details are subject to change.

Journalists must confirm their participation by sending their full name and the name of their media outlet to pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca by 8 a.m. on Monday, June 14.

A Zoom link will be sent to allow reporters to ask questions following the press briefing.

EVENT: Press conference

DATE: Monday, June 14, 2020

TIME: 11:30 a.m. EDT

LOCATION: Virtual

Camille Gagné-Raynauld

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage

camille.gagne@canada.ca