(Minghui.org) May 13 is World Falun Dafa Day and the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Fourteen Members of Parliament (MP), an MP’s representative, and Falun Dafa practitioners participated in celebrations held in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 3, 2023.
The MPs celebrating Falun Dafa Day included Judy Sgro, Garnett Genuis, Scott Reid, James Bezan, Ted Falk, Marilyn Gladu, Tom Kmiec, Richard Martel, Colin Carrie, Arnold Viersen, Pierre Paul-Hus, Marc Dalton, Rachel Bendayan and Dan Mays. Michael Cooper MP sent a representative.
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees: Protesting the Persecution Shows Your Fortitude and Perseverance
Tom Kmiec MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees, said, “I know that many of you have been persecuted for a very, very long time by both the PRC (People’s Republic of China) and its agents all over the world. So it’s just a testament to your continued strength and your fortitude, your forbearance and compassion, and many of the things that Falun Dafa represents both in Canada and overseas, and you’re willing to come out here to brave the rain today, and to still stand up for what you believe in.”
Tom Kmiec MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees, addressed celebration attendees.
He wished practitioners a happy Falun Dafa Day, “Your truthfulness, compassion and forbearance that you stand up for is on display today.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade: We Stand with You
Rachel Bendayan MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, said, “I would like to begin by saying how important your voices are to our government. I would like to also express my solidarity with Falun Dafa and with you all.”
Rachel Bendayan MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke during the celebrations.
“I know that Falun Dafa and that many of you here are suffering at the hands of the the authoritarian regime in China. I’d like to say that we stand with you. I thank you for being here today to share your story with us members of government.”
Shadow Minister of Civil Liberties: Calling to Stop the Persecution
Marilyn Gladu MP, Shadow Minister of Civil Liberties, said, “I’m here to stand in solidarity with the Falun Dafa practitioners that are here today in great numbers. We call on the Chinese Communist government to stop persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners. I will stand and continue to cry for freedom not just in my own land but around the world.”
Marilyn Gladu MP, Shadow Minister of Civil Liberties, addressed the gathering.
Goodness Will Prevail Oppression
Assistant to Michael Cooper MP read the MP’s statement, “As a nation, we will always stand up to religious persecution of any people. We are going to stand up for the Falun Dafa universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, tolerance. We admire the courage and determination of all Falun Dafa practitioners who continue to peacefully practice their faith in the face of adversity and opposition.”
Sim Sither, Assistant to Michael Cooper MP, reads the MP’s statement.
Michael Cooper MP added in his statement, “We are confident that the goodness of the Falun Dafa people (practitioners) will prevail over the forces of oppression and persecution in the end. We are standing with the Falun Dafa community. We will do everything in our power to defend them and any sort of organ harvesting that’s happening. We stand against that. We will do whatever we can to end that as soon as possible. Thank you very much. Have a good day.”
Presented a Petition for Falun Gong Practitioners
Marc Dalton MP of Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge district said, “Thank you for how you have stood up for human rights, for democracy, and for your concern of family members or relatives in China, who have gone through the persecution that includes organ harvesting. It’s terrible. You’re not just standing up for people from the practitioners of Falun Gong, but you’re also standing up for the Uighurs, you’re standing up for others. Many others are persecuted minorities within the communist dictatorship. So your voice is important.”
Marc Dalton MP speaks at the ceremony.
“As concerned Member of Parliament, I have presented a petition also on your behalf and will stand alongside of you.”
Arnold Viersen MP speaks in the ceremony.
Arnold Viersen MP said, “I want to just thank the Falun Gong community for all of the petitions that they’ve (sent) me over the years, raising awareness of organ harvesting that’s happening in China, raising awareness about persecution of religious minorities in China, and I just want to thank each and every one of you for all the work that you’ve done. Every petition, every 25 names that I get on a petition, allows me to raise these issues in Parliament every day, and so I’m so thankful for your contribution.”
Garnett Genuis MP: Full Implementation of the Bill to Combat Live Organ Harvesting
Garnett Genuis MP is an advocate and initiator of the bill to combat live organ harvesting. In December last year, the 44th parliament finally passed Bill S-223 to combat the CCP’s live organ harvesting.
Garnett Genuis MP addressed the ceremony.
Garnett Genuis MP said, “Such an exciting moment last December. Bill S-223 has now become law. And so many of you I know were there on that day along with our brothers and sisters from the Uighur community, from the Tibetan community and other communities, fighting for justice and human rights. We passed the bill. We had a mock visit to the Chinese embassy to share with them what we would just have just achieved.
“There is so much more work to be done though, as the horrific violence against Falun Gong practitioners, including organ harvesting continues.
“And our advocacy now needs to turn to seeing the full implementation of this bill, encouraging medical associations and provincial governments to undertake the measures to ensure physicians are aware of this new law and how to identify and prosecute those that are involved in forced organ harvesting and trafficking and come back to Canada.
“So thank you for your persistent courageous witness here in Parliament Hill. And let me assure you of my continuing advocacy on the organizing issue, and all the other issues that are important.”
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