(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners were invited to participate in Canada Day parades on July 1, 2011, in Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia.

The Canada Day Parade in Vancouver started at 7:00 p.m., with 57 participating groups. Well before the parade, Georgia Street was packed with spectators. The Falun Gong procession consisted of the Divine Land Marching Band, a dance troupe, a decorated float, and a waist drum troupe. The practitioners’ performance was met with warm applause along the length of the parade route

As a result of practitioners’ persistent truth-clarification over the past 12 years, more and more Canadians now know about Falun Dafa and recognize the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. As the Falun Gong procession approached Burrard Street, three young Western people shouted in Chinese, “Falun Dafa is Good!”

There were many Chinese people among the spectators, and many were very excited and proud to see the Falun Gong procession. An elderly lady from Northwest China told the reporter, “I know Falun Gong is very good, and I am very pleased to see so many people practicing Falun Gong in Canada. I will also read more Falun Gong materials.”

Mr. Yu, who is in his seventies, said, “I love China, but the Chinese Communist Party does not represent China. Falun Dafa brings honor to China and represents Chinese culture.” He then asked a practitioner to help him quit the Young Pioneers (an affiliate of the Communist Party) and said that he also wanted to learn the Falun Gong exercises.

After the parade, many people said that the Falun Gong procession impressed them the most, as it was very beautiful and their band and waist drum troupe were both great.

The Canada Day and 66^th Salmon Festival Parade in Richmond took place in the morning. The Falun Gong procession was warmly welcomed in Richmond as well.

Though it was a challenge to take part in two parades on the same day, the practitioners were pleased to see so many people learn about Dafa.