Ottawa, Canada: Parliament Members Join World Falun Dafa Day Celebrations

(Minghui.org) Practitioners gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 28, 2025, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 33rd anniversary since the practice was introduced to the public in 1992. Fifteen Members of Parliament attended the event and commended the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa.

Some of these parliament members are long-time supporters of Falun Dafa and some were recently elected. The parliamentarians are: Judy Sgro, Melissa Lantsman, Kevin Lamoureux, Garnett Genuis, Scott Reid, James Bezan, Michael Cooper, Dan Muys, Rhonda Kirkland, Cathay Wagantall, Costas Menegakis, Yvan Baker, Michael Guglielmin, Anita Vandenbeld, and Mike Duggan.

A World Falun Dafa celebration was held in Ottawa on May 28.

When they spoke, these parliament members praised Falun Dafa and pointed out how it has changed Canada and the world for the better with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Even when they face harsh persecution, practitioners continue to tell people the facts while promoting peace, health, and human dignity. This is a manifestation of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and a good example of what a peaceful appeal should be. The parliamentarians said they would continue standing with Falun Dafa practitioners to uphold justice.

Several parliament members with practitioners: Michael Guglielmin (third from left), Rhonda Kirkland (fourth from left), Cathay Wagantall (third from right), and Garnett Genuis (second from right)

Making the World a Better Place

“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,” said Liberal MP Judy Sgro, co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong.

Liberal MP Judy Sgro speaking at the event

MP Judy Sgro said she’s happy to participate in the celebration every year. “On behalf of our new prime minister and the Government of Canada, I welcome you here to Parliament Hill on this beautiful, sunny day as we celebrate the 33 years of Falun Dafa, which has touched the lives of millions of people, and that means millions of people here in Canada as well, that come out and practice Falun Dafa on a daily basis,” she said.  

“Everywhere we look today, we’ve got conflicts,” MP Sgro 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.” She also thanked practitioners for their efforts and commitment.

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux

“It is great to see Falun Dafa practitioners at such events, rain or shine,” said Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux. As he has in the past, he came to show his support for Falun Dafa practitioners in Canada and around the world.

A strong advocate for Bill S-223, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organ), he is aware of the persecution practitioners suffer in China. He said what practitioners have done to spread the facts and promote spiritual well-being is very important.

Conservative MP Dan Muys

Conservative MP Dan Muys said he also attends the Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Ottawa every year. “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 added.

Opposing the Persecution

Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman

This was not the first or the last time that Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman has participated in a World Falun Dafa celebration. “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 every single day,” she said.

Profound Inspiration

Conservative MP Scott Reid

Opposition Deputy House Leader Scott Reid also thanked practitioners for their contributions. “You’re an inspiration in ways that are profound,” he said. “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 said Falun Dafa practitioners have embodied the beautiful principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. “The Communist Party continues a completely senseless campaign against a fundamentally non-political movement. It makes no sense to me,” he added.

MP Scott Reid has supported Falun Gong practitioners for 25 years, from when the CCP first began the persecution. He said, “It’s the extraordinary commitment to forbearance and compassion of those who are being persecuted that ultimately will be, I believe, the trigger that causes the world, through one form or another, and the Chinese government, the PRC government itself, to realize that this is actually a movement that is helping the people they represent—really, more than any other movement could do—to incorporate this remarkable, amazing set of values into the culture of the world. It is the great work perhaps of our century. You are doing it, and, speaking for myself, I am very grateful you are.”

Making Canada and the World a Better Place

Conservative MP James Bezan

Conservative MP James Bezan, also Conservative Party Shadow Minister of Defense, congratulated practitioners on the celebration. “The core principles of Falun Dafa—Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—are really all about the principles of us as Canadians,” he said.

“We’re going to continue to celebrate Falun Dafa Day every year,” he told practitioners. “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.”

He also wants to hold the human rights perpetrators accountable. “There is no reason why those bureaucrats, doctors, corrupt business people 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 explained.

Liberal MP Yvan Baker

More and more people are aware of the persecution in China, said Liberal MP Yvan Baker. “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 Anita Vandenbeld

The World Falun Dafa Day celebration is a “powerful reminder of the universal values that unite us: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance,” said Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld.

“These principles not only form the foundation of Falun Dafa but also inspire peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across communities across Canada and beyond,” she 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.”

Upholding Justice

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis spoke at the event.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong said the practice 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 added.

He welcomed practitioners to Parliament Hill again and reiterated the importance of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He also hopes the Chinese Communist Party's suppression ends soon.

Conservative MP Michael Cooper

Conservative MP Michael Cooper said Falun Dafa’s tenets are the, “...antithesis of everything” that the CCP stands for, because Falun Dafa promotes the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

He called for the continuation of sanctioning the human rights abusers. “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 Falun Dafa,” he added.

Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall

Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall said Falun Dafa has been a source of, “Mental, moral, and physical enrichment” for people despite the ongoing persecution by the CCP.

“For … years Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the highest levels of the Beijing communist regime in China and abroad,” she 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.”

She said, “You have found success, though, in China, Canada, and worldwide, through a peaceful spiritual practice that improves well being. And despite brutal oppression and violence, you have remained so resilient.

“As we begin a new parliament, let me be unequivocal in stating: We condemn any attempts to suppress freedom of belief or expression, whether it be in Canada or elsewhere in the world, to be able to express your faith. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right. Indeed, it is the world’s first freedom,” she added.

Freedom of Belief

City Councilor Mike Duggan

Mike Duggan, a city councilor in Gatineau, Quebec, said the Falun Dafa practitioners’ event 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. 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.

“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 added.

Congratulations from the Newly Elected and Re-elected MPs

Conservative MP Costas Menegakis

Conservative MP Costas Menegakis said he participated in a similar celebration 10 years ago and now was pleased to attend again after being reelected. “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 Kirkland also wished those present, “Happy Falun Dafa Day,” and said 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.” He said it’s important to stand with practitioners and protest the CCP’s persecution.