(Minghui.org) May 13, 2018 marks the 19th World Falun Dafa Day, commemorating the public introduction of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) in China on May 13, 1992. Falun Dafa practitioners celebrate this special day across the world with group exercises, parades, and dance and music performances. Members of Parliament (MP) and Senators in Canada have shown their support for Falun Dafa by sending letters to congratulate the practitioners in the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day.
PC MP and Leader of the Official Opposition Andrew Scheer: This Practice Has a Strong Following
PC MP and Leader of the Official Opposition Andrew Scheer and his letter
MP Andrew Scheer wrote in his letter, “Through the promotion of the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, millions of people around the world have benefitted from the teachings of Falun Dafa. I know this practice has a strong following in Canada's peaceful, pluralistic society.
“Canada's Conservatives will always stand up for religious minorities facing persecution around the world. Human rights, including the right to practice your religion, will always be a priority for our party.
“I am pleased to have this opportunity to commend the Falun Dafa Association of Canada for all the hard work they do in sharing this beneficial practice with Canadians.
“On behalf of Canada's Official Opposition, please accept my best wishes for a joyful and memorable celebration.”
PC MP and Former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Judy Sgro: I Add My Voice to Yours
PC MP and former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Judy Sgro and her letter
Judy Sgro, PC MP, former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong (PFOFG), wrote in her letter, “I commend you for your work on behalf of Falun Dafa practitioners around the world, and for your commitment to peace. I add my voice to yours in a united call for openness, tolerance, and freedom of conscience and religion.
“On behalf of the people of Humber River – Black Creek, I offer my sincere best wishes and personal congratulations as you celebrate this special day.”
PC MP and House Leader of the Official Opposition Candice Bergen Recognizes Values of Truthfulness Compassion and Tolerance
PC MP and House Leader of the Official Opposition Candice Bergen and her letter
PC MP and House Leader of the Official Opposition Candice Bergen wrote in her letter, “Falun Dafa's values of truthfulness, harmony, compassion, and tolerance in society are shared by the entire Conservative Caucus and myself.
“I hope that your 26th anniversary celebration is full of the peace and joy that your teachings promote across the world.”
MP and Official Opposition Shadow Minister for National Defence James Bezan: We Unite as Canadians in Our Commitment Towards Upholding These Values
MP and Official Opposition Shadow Minister for National Defence James Bezan and his letter
MP and Official Opposition Shadow Minister for National Defence James Bezan wrote, “I'm pleased to join you in celebration of the 26th anniversary of Falun Dafa. The principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, are values that we all aspire to achieve in Canada. Though we come from many different and diverse backgrounds, we unite as Canadians in our commitment towards upholding these values...
“Since 1999, practitioners of Falun Dafa have been subject to cruel and inhuman attacks and experienced many atrocities at the hands of the Chinese communist government. This includes the deliberate targeting of the Falun Dafa for state-sponsored organ harvesting. These brutal crimes must be stopped now, the victims never forgotten and those responsible for this disgusting atrocity must be brought to justice. The corrupt officials who perpetrated these government-sponsored organ harvesting programs must be sanctioned under Canada's new Magnitsky Act and stop these gross international human rights violators from using Canada as a safe haven to hid their wealth, their families and themselves.
“I thank all Falun Dafa who have made Canada home and are making our nation stronger. Together we can stop the persecution of Falun Dafa in China.”
Senator McPhedran Praises Falun Dafa for Demonstrating True Canadian Values
Senator Marilou McPhedran and her letter
Senator Marilou McPhedran noted in her letter, “Through the promotion of tolerance and compassion, you demonstrate true Canadian values every day. As dedicated members of the human rights community, I extend my thanks for your work on human dignity and peace in China.”
MP Falk: Marking Anniversary Shines Light into Dark Places
MP Ted Falk and his letter
MP Ted Falk wrote in his letter, “The horrific measures employed by the Chinese government against Falun Gong practitioners, Christians and other religious minorities violate Article 36 of China's Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. They breach China's pledges to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They violate what it means to be human.
“By freely marking this anniversary together we can help shine a light into the dark places: the regimes and ideologies of our world that hate and repress freedom and faith.”
Erskine-Smith Extends Heartfelt Congratulations
MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and his letter
MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith wrote, “It is my honour to extend heartfelt congratulations to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada on this, the celebration of their 26th anniversary.
“I have had the privilege to meet with members of the association many times since taking office in 2015, and truly appreciate their work in sharing the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.”
MP McCrimmon: I Proudly Join Your United Call for Openness, Tolerance, and Freedom of Conscience and Religion
MP Karen McCrimmon and her letter
MP Karen McCrimmon wrote, “I applaud you for your work on behalf of Falun Dafa practitioners around the world and for your commitment to peace. I proudly join your united call for openness, tolerance, and freedom of conscience and religion.”
