(Minghui.org) (Continued from Part 1) Dafa practitioners gathered at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill on May 5, 2026, to celebrate the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day, which falls on May 13. Nineteen Canadian Members of Parliament took part in the event to show their support and to join in celebrating the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction.
The MPs applauded Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) practitioners for their unwavering spirit and for holding onto their conviction despite the long years of persecution under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) They affirmed their support for Falun Gong and condemned the CCP’s persecution and escalating transnational repression, which threatens the safety and sovereignty of Canadian citizens. They warned that Canada must take action to stop it.
Nineteen Canadian MPs participated in the celebrations at Parliament Hill on May 5 for World Falun Dafa day. From left: Judy Sgro, co-chair of Parliamentarian Friends of Falun Gong, Dan Muys, John Brassard, Yvan Baker, Costas Menegakis, Connie Cody, Garnett Genius, co-chair of Parliamentarian Friends of Falun Gong Melissa Lantsman, MP Scott Reid, Micahel Guglielmin, Sandra Cobena, Larry Brock, Fred Davies, James Bezan, Elizabeth May, Jamie Schmale, Jacques Ramsay, Sameer Zuberi, Katherine DaCosta, office secretary of Amandeep Sodhi, and Roman Baber.
We Must Continue to Shine the Spotlight and Stop the CCP’s Persecution
James Bezan, Shadow Minister for Justice, said in his speech, “Since 1999 the practitioners of Falun Dafa have been subject to cruel and inhumane practices in China carried out by the communist regime. The atrocities, the illegal organ harvesting, the ongoing brutality and reprogramming of Falun Dafa practitioners, is something that we have to continue to shine the spotlight on. We have to stop it!”
MP James Bezan gave a speech during the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations on May 5 at Parliament Hill.
MP Bezan stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who still live under the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party. We need to make sure that they stay in our hopes, in our prayers and in our thoughts, so that one day in China they’ll be able to practice the freedom of expression and the freedom of conscience.”
We Stand With Falun Gong Practitioners
Garnett Genuis, co-chair of Parliamentarian Friends of Falun Gong, has long pushed for legislation to stop Canada from participating in or benefiting from the CCP’s forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. He is best known for his efforts in re-proposing C-561 (2017) and pushing for the passing of S-223 in Parliament (2022). The latter was passed with support from across political parties and has become an important legal platform to expose China’s illegal organ harvesting and trading in Canada.
MP Garnett Genuis was one of 19 MPs who participated in the celebration at Parliament Hill and he expressed his support for Falun Gong.
MP Genuis said, “It was an honor for me to work with your community to put forward the bill, which finally, after 15 long years of work, criminalized any involvement in forced organ harvesting and trafficking. There is continuing work that we need to do in this country and around the world to defend religious freedom, to defend the freedom of Falun Gong practitioners, and to stand up for these core values that we share: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
MP Larry Brock attended World Falun Dafa Day celebrations at Parliament Hill.
In his speech, MP Larry Brock noted that practitioners in Canada have been able to celebrate Falun Dafa Day freely in this country for 34 years. Yet practitioners in China continually have to hide their faith or are persecuted. He affirmed his support: “We will always stand against persecution of those who simply want to practice their faith.”
MP Sandra Cobena spoke at activities held at Parliament Hill on May 5 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
In her speech, MP Sandra Cobena thanked practitioners for their commitment to freedom, peace, and human dignity. She told practitioners that their presence here today sends a powerful message, “that dignity cannot be suppressed, peaceful expression cannot be erased, and that the pursuit of spiritual freedom is a right that belongs to every human being.” She continued, “We know that in many parts of the world individuals are still persecuted simply because of their beliefs or for practicing their faith peacefully. Even here at home we have seen how authoritarian regimes attempt to extend their reach beyond their borders.”
MP Fred Davies attended World Falun Dafa Day celebrations at Parliament Hill on May 5.
MP Fred Davies told practitioners that they, “have graced the grass in front of the Peace Tower, which is a symbol of our democracy here in Canada—the freedoms we enjoy, the freedoms you enjoy.”
MP Costas Menegakis joined practitioners in celebrating World Falun Dafa Day at Parliament Hill on May 5.
MP Costas Menegakis expressed his delight at seeing practitioners in the nation’s capitol on Parliament Hill. He said, “You are here on the property of the home of Canada’s democracy, where you can come, where you can participate, where you can have a voice and an opinion. You can feel free and really be part of what makes Canada the beautiful country that it is.”
The World Needs to Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day
In her speech, Elizabeth May, Green Party leader, commemorated former MP and Secretary of State David Kilgour who was a firm supporter of Falun Gong. She said that like Kilgour, she believes that, “The movement for Falun Dafa and Falun Gong must be protected and respected.”
Elizabeth May paid tribute to former parliamentarian David Kilgour who was a firm supporter of Falun Gong, in a speech given at Parliament Hill to celebrate Falun Dafa Day.
MP May said, “Human rights, the human spirit, the message of peace and love that Falun Dafa and Falun Gong brings to the world will never be squashed by Beijing. Falun Dafa and Falun Gong practitioners will be free to practice this practice of love and compassion and be respected, protected, and free. Thank you so much. The world needs to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.”
Canada Needs to Make the Right Choice
MP Roman Baber, who was born in Communist Soviet Union, said that he, “has a particular affinity” with people like Falun Gong practitioners who are very passionate about freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
MP Roman Baber joined practitioners in celebrating World Falun Dafa Day at Parliament Hill on May 5.
He told practitioners, “It seems like such a surreal concept in 2026, but today in Communist China, between 40 and 50 million Falun Gong members are still being prosecuted are still prohibited from openly practicing their religion, still have to be afraid.”
He thinks Canada should be clear in its stance on justice and morality: “We have to be very clear morally about which side of humanity we stand on. Do we stand with a regime that compromises human life, that still potentially creates unthinkable human rights abuses against the following people, or we are going to stand on the side of human rights, on the side of religious freedom.”
MP Baber believes that Canada should shake off its fear of the CCP: “We should not be afraid in our democracy to preserve our Canadian democracy from foreign interference or from foreign threats. We should remember every day and think about those in Communist China that are still oppressed, that are still afraid to practice their faith, that are still subject to a labor camp or reeducation camp or slave labor.”
He assured practitioners, “In myself and many of my conservative colleagues you will always have a supporter on the right side of history.”
MP Garnett Genuis is of the opinion that “We [Canada] should not be naive about the threats posed by the CCP; that we have people who would like us to unlearn the things we have learned over previous years about the serious problem of transnational repression, about human rights abuses, about genocide that the CCP are responsible for.”
I Will Be One of Your Strongest Advocates
Conservation MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman expressed her appreciation to be part of the World Falun Dafa Day celebration: “It is my distinct honor and pleasure always to join you.”
MP Melissa Lantsman thanked practitioners for the opportunity to be part of this year’s World Falun Dafa Day celebrations at Parliament Hill.
She told practitioners she first learned of Falun Dafa and its principles two decades ago. “I’ve been a long time advocate to make sure that this place, Parliament Hill, has your voice heard. I will be one of your strongest advocates!”
MP Lantsman said she will not accept the CCP’s genocidal persecution of Falun Dafa: “We will never stand for foreign ambassadors telling Canada what to do and how to act, what to believe and what to shut down. That has no place here on Parliament Hill. It has no place here in Canada!”
MP John Brassard thanked practitioners for coming to Parliament Hill on behalf of the people of Barrie-Innisfil, Ontario, which he represents and thanked them for “practicing what you believe in, without fear.”
MP John Brassard joined practitioners in celebrating World Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill.
He said, “I know, sometimes as difficult as it is, the level of intimidation that goes on—we’ve seen cancellation of events because of direct pressure from the Chinese Communist regime. I admire your courage, I admire your tenacity, I admire your faith, and I admire your resilience in ensuring that the Falun Dafa movement continues to grow, not just here in Canada but around the world.”
MP Brassard told practitioners he wanted to be here today to show his support for Falun Dafa and Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. He said there will be the usual flag raising ceremony in the City of Barrie on Friday May 8 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
I Will Continue to Speak the Truth By Your Side
MP Sameer Zuberi commended practitioners for, “being here today, being strong under very difficult conditions.” He said he is aware of what Falun Gong has gone through over the past many years and the challenges they continue to face today. He said, “Today we are standing up here, calling for respect. Respect for everyone. Respect for humanity. Regardless of faith, tradition, perspectives. That’s what we are calling for today. And [what] we will continue to call for.”
MP Sameer Zuberi gave a speech during World Falun Dafa Day celebrations at Parliament Hill on May 5.
MP Zuberi said, “Myself, you will find somebody who will speak this truth all the time. And I will continue to do so, by your side.”
MP Yvan Baker has joined practitioners for Falun Dafa Day celebrations at Parliament Hill ever since he became a parliamentarian. He said, “It’s an honor to be here with all of you today, and I want to welcome you all to Parliament Hill again. And I say again because I’ve had the privilege of attending this celebration with you year after year now.”
MP Yvan Baker said it was an honor to join practitioners in celebrating World Falun Dafa Day at Parliament Hill once again.
He stated that the principles of Falun Dafa are, “indeed values that we all cherish as Canadians, that we all honor.” He hopes more people can understand what Falun Gong is by watching television or listening to media reports on the day’s activities.
MP Baker thanked practitioners for, “sharing your positive message and I want to thank you for your contributions to Canada, because your contributions aren’t just today, here on Parliament Hill, they’re every day in communities across our country.”
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