Just to check I've understood - you are a Canadian who also holds citizenship of another country and will be asking for the visa to be put into your Canadian passport, not the passport of your other nationality?

Some people will say (from experience) that you cannot apply for your visa anywhere but your home country, but there are actually many examples of visas being granted in third countries. I myself, somewhat unusually, got my Z-visa in Thailand with no hassle, and I certainly do not hold Thai citizenship - they just had to specify in the paperwork where I would be applying. This was a while ago, though.

Realistically, Hong Kong should be fine, but nobody can ever make you any guarantees with Chinese bureaucracy.

It could depend on many things - including your employer's relationship with the authorities and the mood of the person doing the paperwork at the embassy- and I wish you luck.

As of my experience, though I am not sure how much would be helpful for you, I was expecting to be given the Z Visa here in China. Back in October, last year, there has been a change about the Z Visa saying that foreigners should return to their native country and apply for it at the Embassy of China. Moreover, the Z Visa would not be issued any longer not only in China but in any other third countries. At least this is what I was told by my agent and by the staff at my school. 

Jeaniacob has the correct answer, however, MissA is correct about it being about Guanxi and whether your employer has Guanxi and is liked by the government.  If they do have Guanxi etc, it is remotely possible to go to HK still.

you can go to HK for the  z visa, but need the special fee for it. 

you can contact me via consultant01@0086rich.com or phone me 18038011183

we can assist you to do it. 

Chester

Not sure if things have changed in the interim, but in May 2012, I was granted a Z Visa in Australia, and I'm not an Australian citizen.