(Minghui.org) On May 22, 2021, Falun Dafa practitioners in Quebec City, the capital of Quebec Province, Canada, celebrated World Falun Dafa Day and the 29th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. A letter of congratulations was sent by Richard Martel, a federal Member of Parliament for Quebec, Canada.

Congratulatory Letter from Richard Martel, Member of Parliament, Quebec, Canada

Quebec City, founded in 1608, has a predominantly French population, and was one of the first cities established by European colonists in North America. Falun Dafa has spread to more than 100 countries around the world, including Quebec since 1992.

In his letter, Quebec federal MP Richard Martel sent congratulations for Falun Dafa Day, paid tribute to Falun Dafa practitioners, praised their adherence to the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and supported their efforts to stop the persecution.

Falun Dafa practitioners held an event in downtown Quebec City to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 29th anniversary of the spread of Falun Dafa. 

Group exercises

The practitioners gathered at Place d’Youville in the center of the city at 1 p.m.

The celebration kicked off with the majestic music of the Falun Dafa Tian Guo Marching Band. 

Practicing Falun Dafa and Finding Inner Peace and Tranquility

Marie-Hélène, who has practiced Falun Dafa for 15 years, says that Dafa has brought her inner peace.

Marie-Hélène, lives in Quebec City and has been practicing Falun Dafa for 15 years. She said that most of the practitioners in the area are Westerners who meet in parks in the summer, and indoors in the winter to do the exercises and study the teachings. After only a few weeks into the practice, she felt a big difference. “My mind became calm, and my anxiety disappeared. I found inner peace and tranquility,” she said.

She said that the citizens of Quebec were curious about Falun Dafa, and were shocked when they learned about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) crime of harvesting organs from imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners while they were still alive. Many people signed the petition to urge government action to help stop the CCP’s crimes.

Falun Dafa Helped Her Find Meaning in Life

Karina said Falun Dafa helped her to find the meaning of life. 

Karina, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Quebec City, also shared what she had gained from practicing Falun Dafa. She said that before she practiced, she had been searching for the meaning of life, but without success until 2004. She said, “When I received a Falun Dafa flier, I was first surprised to find out that Falun Dafa was taught for free, and then that there were practitioners teaching it right near my house.”

After learning the practice, she discovered, “The teachings of Dafa explained the meaning of life and gave me a goal – to become a better person, and to transcend the cycle of reincarnation.”

She said, “I invite people to learn about this beautiful practice that tens of millions of Chinese, and people around the world are practicing, because of its true impact on health and morality.”

Quebec City Resident: This Practice and the Philosophy Is So Beautiful

Located under the old city walls, next to Old Quebec, Parliament Hill, and the bus terminal, Place D’Youville is a central and busy place. The celebration of Falun Dafa practitioners attracted many people. They stopped to learn about the event. Others were attracted by the peaceful behavior of the practitioner. Many people signed up in support of stopping the persecution after learning what Falun Dafa is, and about the CCP’s persecution.

Attracted by the peaceful atmosphere of the group doing the exercises, Ms. Lemieux, who was passing by, stopped to watch. She commented, “It was so beautiful,” “I had tears in my eyes,” and “Their movements, philosophy, and origami lotus flowers are very moving,” “I support this practice with all my heart.”

She said she was particularly excited when she saw the upward stretching movements, “When I saw their arms stretching upward, it was as if a door had opened, and a flower had bloomed; it was very moving.”

She said she was lucky to come across the Falun Dafa practitioners, as it was her last day in the city, and she was returning to her city the next day. She expressed her appreciation for the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, saying, “I would not be able to live without these values.” Before leaving, she carefully placed the origami lotus flower and Falun Dafa brochures in her backpack and said she would read Falun Dafa books online when she returned home.

St-Laurent, a retired firefighter from Quebec City, learns the practice

Daniel St-Laurent, a retired firefighter, joined the lineup and followed along with practitioners to do the four standing exercises.

A week ago, Daniel learned about Falun Dafa (aka Falun Gong) for the first time at this square when he met a practitioner who was collecting signatures for a petition. When he returned home, he went online to find out more about the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP. He said that Falun Dafa’s philosophy of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance was exactly what people needed, and said, “This is so lacking in society now.”

After learning the four exercises, Daniel said, “It’s great! I can sleep well at night.” He stayed on to watch the event until the end and then waved goodbye to the practitioners.

Social worker: Everyone Should Come to Learn about Falun Dafa

Quebec City residents Johnathan and Joseane drove by, attracted by the sound of the Tian Guo Marching Band’s music, and parked their car to watch the event. After learning the truth about Falun Dafa, they said that everyone should come and learn about Falun Dafa.

Johnathan (left) and Joseane (right)

Joseane, a social worker, said that the concepts of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance taught by Falun Dafa are so important and meaningful to her work as a social worker and in her daily life. Johnathan, who works as a teacher, also said that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are concepts that guide a person to grow and become a good person.

Joseane said, “Everyone should take some time to come here to learn about and try to learn this practice.” She hopes more people will sign the petition to stop the CCP persecution, “so we can change things.”

The activities of Falun Dafa practitioners attracted the attention of people passing by, some of whom read the exhibition boards, and some talked to the practitioners to learn the story behind the practice and the persecution in China.

Canadians sign a petition in support of stopping the persecution. 

“We Need to Work Together to Stop This Persecution.”

William and Claudia, who passed by the event, stopped to learn the truth about Falun Dafa. When told of the CCP’s crime of organ harvesting, William said it was beyond imagination.

William said, “It is very important to bring to light the persecution that is happening.” He is very grateful to Falun Dafa practitioners for holding such an event and hopes that something can be done to stop the persecution. Claudia said, “Persecution should not happen. We need to work together to stop this persecution.”