(Minghui.org) As summer approached, Falun Dafa practitioners in Ottawa went to two cultural events to introduce the practice to the public.
Practitioners had a booth at the 2025 Welcome to Stittsville Multicultural Festival held at Village Square Park on the afternoon of June 7, 2025. This annual event was hosted by Ottawa City Councilor Glen Gower, and nearly 100 organizations participated as performers, exhibitors, and vendors. Visitors explored different cultures, enjoyed live entertainment, and won prizes.
Practitioners were also invited to participate in the “Joy of Faith” event held by the Capital Region Interfaith Council (CRIC) on the afternoon of June 8.
Practitioners introduced Falun Dafa during the 2025 Welcome to Stittsville Multicultural Festival held on the afternoon of June 7, 2025.
Project Manager: The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance
Ms. Shobha Deepak, a project manager at a telecommunications company, attended the festival with her husband and two sons. They were very interested in Falun Dafa.
Ms. Deepak said, “I never knew about this practice before, and the best part is, it’s free. They let us know a lot about what’s going on and how it can help us stay healthy, and be more active by providing free activities instead of just focusing on work.
“I am looking forward to learning about this practice and hope to experience it with my family. I will definitely take the online course, and if time permits, maybe I will go to the University of Ottawa to take the offline course, so that I can meet more people and learn more,” she added.
She admired Falun Dafa’s core values, “I really like the Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance that (Falun Dafa) follows, because I think we need these the most right now in the world.”
City Councilor Welcomes Falun Dafa
Ottawa City Councilor Glen Gower said that some countries have many different traditions, religions, and beliefs. He believed that the festival is a real opportunity for the residents of Stittsville to learn more about the rich cultures that people brought from other countries to Canada.
Bruce Fanjoy, the newly elected MP of the region, attended the event and said that different cultures make Canada a better place and he welcomed the participation of the Chinese community, including the Falun Dafa group. “We welcome everyone to this beautiful festival. I hope everyone has a good time today,” he said.
Praise for Falun Dafa
Sponsored by the Capital Region Interfaith Council (CRIC), “Joy of Faith” is an interfaith experience filled with cultures, music and foods. It is a celebration and sharing of faiths and traditions held in Nepean, Ottawa on June 8, 2025.
Introducing Falun Gong at “Joy of Faith” event held in Nepean, Ottawa on June 8, 2025
Gary van der Meer, the organizer of the event and president of the Interfaith Council of the Capital Region, said, “I saw some beautiful handicrafts on the Falun Dafa table. Last year, they also had a band from Montreal, which was an important effort. It was not easy for them to travel by bus to come here. So we are very grateful to the Falun Dafa practitioners.”
Gary van der Meer, president of the Interfaith Council of the Capital Region.
He agreed with Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. “We express these principles in different languages and ways, but when we get together, we realize that wisdom is wisdom, and no matter where you find it, you should cherish it and be grateful for it,” said Van der Meer.
Fr. Emeka Onyeogubalu, a Catholic priest from Nigeria.
Fr. Emeka Onyeogubalu, a Catholic priest from Nigeria, said that he’s been observing Falun Dafa practitioners and their way of cultivation. He was interested in Falun Dafa because of its principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance that he feels will help people.
“I like to meditate, which is really beautiful. I think this practice attracts me, both for physical and mental health,” he said.
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