Enter into ShangHai from Vancouver using Home Return Permit issued from HK?

Generally speaking, you can use your Canadian passport, Hk ID card and Home Return card to enter Shanghai directly from Vancouver. Many Home Return Card holders enter China without a China visa.

However, if you face a strict immigration officer, you will face some problem, according to the visa rule, Home Return Card can only be used to enter Mainland China directly from Hong Kong; If you enter Mainland China from overseas, you should apply for a China visa.

You will not have a problem with Immigration officer. You might have a problem with airline employees who do not know that you can enter China without a Visa.

yes, there should not be any problem with the immigration whether it is in Shenzhen, Beijing or Shanghai, cause you do not necessary just allowed to enter thru HK, one can enter China with HRP thru anywhere around the world.
however the question is whether airline counter staff can recognized the HRP and let you broad the plane,
my speculation is that the old version of HRP does not have any English characters that say what is this card for, the new version of the HRP have a line in "RED" color explaining that the holder of this card is entitled to enter China.
Did anybody encountered this issues lately and what it take to solve the problem.
thanks.