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Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
‘Falun Dafa Will Prevail': Canadian MPs Mark 33rd Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill
Over a dozen MPs gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28 to mark the anniversary of Falun Dafa, a Chinese meditation practice first introduced to the public more than three decades ago. MPs from both major political parties delivered speeches in front of hundreds of Falun Dafa practitioners and other attendees who gathered on Parliament Hill to mark the occasion. The event included live music and dance performances, as well as demonstrations of the practice's meditative exercises. Falun Gong practitioners perform meditative exercises during an event to celebrate the World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Liberal MP Judy Sgro welcomed the practitioners on behalf of the newly elected prime minister and his government and commended Falun Dafa's moral teachings and values. 'It's wonderful for us to be here on this beautiful, sunny day that clearly, God is shining down on all of us, especially those of you who are celebrating the 33rd anniversary today,' Sgro, co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, told the crowd. Classical Chinese dance was performed as part of events to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Referring to the guiding principles of Falun Dafa—truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, or forbearance—Sgro said the whole word is in need of these tenets. 'Everywhere we look today, we've got conflicts,' she said. 'If we could just get everybody into believing in the basic words of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, I think the world … would be a much better place.' Related Stories 5/13/2025 5/13/2025 Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman noted the benefits that Falun Dafa brings to the community, and said her party would stand with the practitioners in the face of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Every single day, I'm always proud to add my voice to yours. I'm proud to stand with you,' she said. 'I know that the Falun Dafa movement, everything that you are a part of, adds to each and every one of our communities, not only with volunteerism, … but by the tolerance and the benevolence and the forbearance that you preach.' Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a traditional Chinese discipline combining slow-moving exercises and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Introduced in China on May 13, 1992, an Although the discipline is currently practised in more than 100 countries worldwide, it is banned in communist China, where practitioners have faced severe persecution for more than 25 years, with reports of torture, forced labour, killings, and even live forced organ The persecution campaign was started in 1999 by then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin who saw the spiritual discipline's growing popularity and moral teachings as not being aligned with the CCP's atheistic doctrines. Young Falun Gong practitioners perform a classical Chinese dance piece as part of events to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'An Inspiration' Conservative MP Scott Reid praised Falun Dafa practitioners, calling them 'such amazing people who do such amazing work.' 'You're an inspiration in ways that are profound,' he said in his speech. 'You're addressing universal values, but you're addressing them in a way that is key to bringing China and its amazing ancient culture, its values, into the world system for the benefit of China itself and its people, for the benefit of the rest of the world.' He also noted that at the same time, he is sad that the persecution is continuing in China. 'The Communist Party continues a completely senseless campaign against a fundamentally non-political movement. It makes no sense to me,' Reid said. Conservative MP Scott Reid speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times But, he noted, through practitioners' 'extraordinary commitment to forbearance and compassion,' the persecution will end one day. He said the effort that the practitioners are displaying while incorporating their 'amazing set of values into the culture of the world' is the 'great work perhaps of our century.' 'Stand Together in Solidarity' Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, also a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, noted the peaceful nature of the practice, while adding that under the Communist Party in China, it has been subject to 'some of the worst persecution that we have seen.' 'We have to stand together in solidarity for truth and justice and stand against the threats to world peace and to universal human dignity that are presented by the CCP,' he said. Genius said the work he did to pass legislation in the previous sessions of Parliament will make it harder for the CCP to continue its forced organ harvesting of Falun Dafa prisoners of conscience, as it enables Ottawa to Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'But the work is not done on that. We can work with partners around the world to have similar legislation adopted in some other jurisdictions, and work with provincial and territorial leaders to ensure the full implementation of measures to prevent any kind of Canadian complicity in forced organ harvesting and trafficking,' he said. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux noted how important Falun Dafa practitioners are not only to Ottawa and his constituency in Winnipeg, but 'around the world.' He said the practitioners do important work to ensure 'the spiritual well-being' of the world, and to raise awareness about the persecution in China. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Falun Dafa Will Prevail' Mike Duggan, a city councillor in Gatineau, just across the river from Parliament Hill, said the scene created by the Falun Dafa practitioners on May 28 was 'the nicest I've seen in this place in quite a while.' 'Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, offers millions a path to personal growth, health, and inner peace through meditation and moral teachings,' Duggan said. 'In over 100 countries, practitioners gather in parks and public spaces such as this one, sharing their beliefs and exercises freely, contributing to cultural diversity and mutual understanding.' Mike Duggan, a Gatineau city councillor, speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Duggan noted the importance of the freedom of thought and to be able to practice one's faith, and how that is cherished in Canada. 'I support Falun Dafa practitioners in their peaceful pursuit of faith, hoping that their example … inspires greater compassion and respect for diversity everywhere, among all humans around the world,' he said. Conservative MP Michael Cooper said Falun Dafa's tenets are the 'antithesis of everything' that the CCP stands for. 'In fact, there is one word that sums up the Beijing-based communist regime, and that is: evil,' he said. And it's important to stand up to this evil, Cooper added. Conservative MP Michael Cooper speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'As a member of Parliament, I will go–as I have for years–into that chamber to stand up and speak out in support of the Falun Dafa,' he said. 'Good will prevail, Falun Dafa will prevail.' Ending the Persecution Liberal MP Yvan Baker said more people need to be made aware of the persecution Falun Gong practitioners experience in China, saying that he is an 'ally' in working to end the persecution. 'It's important that Canadians know about the persecution of … the followers of Falun Dafa, and that we do all we can to support them,' he said. Liberal MP Yvan Baker speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall said Falun Dafa has been a source of 'mental, moral, and physical enrichment' for millions of people, although it faces persecution in China, and even interference attempts by the CCP abroad. 'For most of the 33 years, Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the highest-levels of Beijing communist regime in China and abroad,' Wagantall said. 'It's no wonder why Beijing works so tirelessly to suppress followers at Falun Dafa. Its main tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance stand antithetical to what the communist regime stands for.' Wagantall added she stands with Falun Dafa practitioners 'today, and every day.' Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'The True North Strong and Free' Conservative MP James Bezan said the three principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance practised by Falun Dafa is 'really all about the principles of us Canadians.' 'We're going to continue to celebrate Falun Dafa Day every year,' he told the practitioners on Parliament Hill. 'And I know that each and every one of you, whether you're born a Canadian or you have come here to become a Canadian, I thank you for making Canada the True North Strong and Free.' Bezan also noted the work he did to pass the ' Conservative MP James Bezan speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'There is no reason why those bureaucrats, doctors, corrupt businesspeople should be able to bring their families and their wealth to Canada and use us as a safe haven when they have really benefited from the torture and the atrocities against Falun Dafa,' he said. 'I'll continue to use my voice as a member of Parliament to stand up and speak out for Falun Gong practitioners.' Conservative MP Dan Muys noted that he attends the Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Ottawa every year, and thanked practitioners for holding the event. Conservative MP Dan Muys speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'Thank you for coming here and [for the] peaceful demonstration each year to extol the virtues of truth, compassion and forbearance, which are virtues that the world needs more of,' he said. 'A Powerful Reminder' Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld said the World Falun Dafa Day celebration is a 'powerful reminder of the universal values that unite us: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.' Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'These principles not only form the foundation of Falun Dafa, but also inspire peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across communities across Canada and beyond,' Vandenbeld said. 'I commend the resilience and dedication of Falun Dafa practitioners in promoting peace, wellness, and human dignity, often in the face of profound adversity.' Conservative MP Costas Menegakis speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Conservative MP Costas Menegakis noted that he last joined the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2015 before he left politics, but had a chance to join again this year after being re-elected in the April 28 general election. 'It's beautiful to see so many people from Montreal, from Ottawa, from Toronto gathering here to celebrate this, the 33rd Falun Dafa Day, right here … in the nation's capital,' he said. Conservative MP Rhonda Kirkland speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times Newly elected Conservative MP Rhonda Kirlkand also wished the attendees a 'happy Falun Dafa Day,' adding that she was 'excited' to be part of the event. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin, who was also newly elected in the recent election, wished the attendees a 'Happy Falun Dafa Day,' and said it's important to stand to support the practitioners in the face of the CCP's persecution. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin speaks during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times 'It's an honour to stand on the side of truth and justice and to support our friends in the community, and [I'm] proud that our party has stood up for human rights, especially with all the issues going on with the CCP,' Guglielmin said.
Epoch Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Toronto Practitioners of Spiritual Practice Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, Marking 33rd Anniversary
Forming a bright sea of yellow, hundreds of Torontonians converged on Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday dressed in matching shirts, holding colourful banners, and performing the meditative exercises that are part of the traditional Chinese spiritual practice known as Falun Dafa. The gathering on May 11—which included VIP speeches and a parade through downtown Toronto—marked the 33rd year since Falun Dafa was introduced to the public in China by its founder, Li Hongzhi, in 1992. Similar World Falun Dafa Day festivities take place on or around Li's birthday, May 13, in many cities worldwide every year. Falun Dafa practitioners perform the practice's exercises at the Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Falun Dafa practitioners meditate at the Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times As in past years, this occasion in Toronto featured a marching band, a lion dance, choral singers, and dancers in graceful costumes performing Chinese dance. It was organized by the local community of Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto—among them those who had fled communist China due to an ongoing religious persecution against the group Finding freedom of belief in Canada, practitioners in many Canadian cities hold the annual event to celebrate as well as raise awareness. The gathering often includes speeches and greetings such as by government officials and community leaders showing their support. 'The Falun Dafa movement has made a great contribution to our country, here in Canada, and seeks to preserve Chinese tradition, spirituality, culture, and values,' Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told The Epoch Times in an interview just ahead of World Falun Dafa Day. In contrast, 'the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners is deplorable,' Genuis said, referring to the alternative name that Falun Dafa is known by. Related Stories 5/9/2025 5/5/2025 'It's a grave violation of international law and basic norms of human rights, and Conservatives will continue to stand for human rights in China and everywhere, to advocate for recognition of universal human dignity of all people,' Genuis added. The Young Falun Dafa practitioners hold a lion dance performance on stage at the Nathan Phillips Square during the ceremonies to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day, in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times The FDIC said Jiang saw the ever-growing numbers as a threat, as well as the spiritual practice's independence from Party control and its guiding principles that were incompatible with communist atheist ideology. Former Senator Consiglio Di Nino, who had spoken at the annual Young Falun Dafa practitioners perform a traditional Chinese dance on stage at the Nathan Phillips Square during the ceremonies to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day, in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Young Falun Dafa practitioners perform a traditional Chinese dance on stage at the Nathan Phillips Square during the ceremonies to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day, in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times 'I want to, once again, acknowledge and respect who you are and what you're doing, because we do need it, and we continue to need it for the world at large,' he said. Former Conservative MP Wladyslaw Lizon, originally from Poland, told the rally participants: 'I grew up in a communist system. Therefore, I know what it means for followers [of faith] in China who are mistreated by their own government.' 'We should not forget them, and we should never stop asking and pushing the communist government to stop persecution,' he said. Also speaking was Gloria Fung, president of Canada-Hong Kong Link. Pointing to the CCP's 'brutality in China suppressing Falun Gong brothers and sisters,' Fung said 'all of us have known that the CCP will stop at nothing to preserve its power.' She noted that 'now its arms have stretched to Canada and our communities,' and 'its goal is to destabilize our Canadian democracy,' referring to Beijing's transnational repression and foreign interference, such as attempts to Event hosts (L and 2nd L) and keynote speakers on stage at the Nathan Phillips Square to celebrate the World Falun Dafa Day, in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. (3rd L-R) Dean Baxendale, book publisher and CEO of the China Democracy Fund, Gloria Fung, president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, former Senator Consiglio Di Nino, former Conservative MP Wladyslaw Lizon, Sheng Xue, Chinese Canadian author and democracy activist, Houqiang Yu, chairman of the Canada Committee of the China Democratic Party, and Kevin Yang and Joel Chipkar with the Falun Dafa Association of Canada. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Fung said her organization will continue to push the federal government to Dean Baxendale, a book publisher and CEO of the 'This practice has spread around the world,' Baxendale said in a speech at the rally. 'The movement was suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party, as we know, [starting] back in the late '90s.' Falun Dafa practitioners hold a parade to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times He said he was in Washington, D.C., earlier this week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 'But what's important to understand is that this is not a U.S. problem,' Baxendale said. 'This is a global problem, and we need legislators here in Canada to stand up and to push back against the Chinese Communist Party's oppression and transnational repression writ large around the world.' Falun Dafa practitioners hold a parade to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Falun Dafa practitioners hold a parade to celebrate the world Falun Dafa Day in downtown Toronto on May 11, 2025. Evan Ning/The Epoch Times Falun Dafa Association of Canada representative Joel Chipkar expressed his appreciation to Falun Dafa's founder and spoke to how the spiritual faith has benefited its practitioners. 'What began as a quiet spiritual practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance quickly spread into a profound and life-changing force touching millions of lives around the world,' he said, noting that 'Falun Dafa is the fastest-growing spiritual practice in China's history' and has practitioners in over 150 countries. 'What is most inspiring is the strength and resilience that Falun Dafa has given to people who practise it,' he said. 'Even in the face of misinformation and persecution, millions of people have held firm in their faith, responding not with hatred, but with compassion and truth.' 'Their stories of endurance and forgiveness are a testament to the power of Falun Dafa and a beacon of light in our world today,' Chipkar said.
