Over a dozen MPs gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28 to mark the anniversary of Falun Dafa, a Chinese spiritual 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 at the celebration. The event included a marching band and dance performances as well as demonstrations of the meditative exercises of Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong.
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 Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, told the crowd.
Referring to the guiding principles of Falun Dafa—truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, or forbearance—Sgro said the whole world 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.”
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).
“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.”
The persecution was launched in 1999 by then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin, who saw the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity and moral teachings as being at odds with the CCP’s atheistic doctrines.
‘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.
‘Stand Together in Solidarity’
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong along with Liberal MP Sgro, 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.
“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 the significance of what Falun Dafa practitioners are doing, not only in 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.
‘Falun Dafa Will Prevail’
Mike Duggan, a city councillor in Gatineau, Quebec, just across the Ottawa 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.”
Duggan noted the importance of freedom of thought and the ability to practise 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.
“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.
Ending the Persecution
Liberal MP Yvan Baker said more people need to be made aware of the persecution Falun Gong practitioners are facing in China, noting that he is an “ally” in efforts 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.
Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall said Falun Dafa has been a source of “mental, moral, and physical enrichment” for millions of people, even as it faces persecution in China and interference attempts by the CCP in other countries.
“For most of the 33 years, Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the highest levels of the Beijing communist regime in China and abroad,” Wagantall said.
“It’s no wonder why Beijing works so tirelessly to suppress followers of 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.”
‘The True North Strong and Free’
Conservative MP James Bezan said the three principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance practised by Falun Dafa practitioners 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.”
“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 said he attends the Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Ottawa every year and thanked practitioners for holding the event.
‘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.”
“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 noted that he last joined the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2015 before he left politics, and now has a chance to join again this time 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.
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, 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.
“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.
