(Clearwisdom.net) July 1, 2009, was the 142^nd anniversary of Canada's independence. The celebration event on Parliament Hill drew a large crowd of local residents and tourists. On the bridge from Parliament Hill to Rideau Center, the busiest business center in Ottawa, people saw the peaceful exercise demonstration of Falun Gong practitioners.

Ms. Xin, one of the organizers of the event, said, "During this year's Canada Day events, many people asked about the practice sites and wanted to learn Falun Gong. Many people left their names and contact information to participate in Falun Gong introductory classes."

The waist drum team of Ottawa is composed of ten young practitioners. This was their fourth year to participate in the Canada Day celebration. Every year, the waist drum play was the most welcomed performance. Spectators surrounded the performance site and offered applause and cheers.

Team leader fourteen-year-old Margret said, "Here, many Canadian people can see us. Many come to learn Falun Gong." She said organizing the team was not easy. During rehearsals, she encouraged the team members again and again for a better performance.

Practitioner Ms. Zhang said, "It is different from a few years ago. Many Chinese people now come to learn about Falun Gong even though they had been poisoned by CCP's lies. Just now a Chinese person came to tell me, 'The "N"ine Commentaries on Communist Party" is well written.' Another Chinese person wanted to take two books about Falun Gong to his friends after learning the true situation."

Besides group practice and the waist drum performance, the professional solo singer Ha Na and the Divine Land Marching Band of Ottawa and Montreal gave excellent performances.

Many Canadians learned about Falun Dafa and the CCP's persecution of the practice in China. Ottawa resident Steve said, "Though I don't know much about Falun Gong, I know about the persecution. Only under totalitarian control in China can such persecution occur. In Canada, people have freedom of belief." Steve said the CCP has committed too many crimes against Chinese people and that Canada should not carry on trade with such a regime.