(Minghui.org) In response to recent interference against Shen Yun Performing Arts, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) issued a response on May 8. “Global Affairs Canada is aware of the very troubling bombing and mass shooting threats that targeted Shen Yun dance performances across Canada,” wrote the response. As a result, GAC officials have contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada, and an investigation was already underway.
“Canada will never tolerate acts of foreign interference or transnational repression against its citizens or those in Canada,” the response continued. In fact, Canada has made countering transnational repression a priority and done so “to raise awareness of these malign tactics and to advance a coordinated international response.”
This statement was by signed by Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, on behalf of the Minister, and it serves as the official response to a petition submitted to Parliament this past March by Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Kelly DeRidder.
The petition pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has suppressed Falun Gong for 26 years with severe human rights abuses. “In Canada, Falun Gong adherents have been subjected to transnational repression and foreign interference by the CCP, including harassment, surveillance, intimidation, disinformation, and other forms of sabotage,” explained the petition. “Recent incidents include bomb and shooting threats targeting Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance and music performance presented globally by the Falun Gong community that showcases China before communism.”
In fact, the G7 leaders have condemned transnational repression as a serious threat to fundamental rights and freedoms, national security, and state sovereignty. The petition thus urged the Canadian government to “take stronger measures to protect the Falun Gong community targeted by foreign repression.”
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is one of the core departments of the Canadian federal government, responsible for the Canadian external affairs, including foreign policy, international trade, consular services, international development, and humanitarian assistance. It reports directly to the Canadian Cabinet system, and its head is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Response from the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) on the interference against Shen Yun in Canada. (Screenshot of GAC website)
Bomb Threats
After Shen Yun began its tour in Toronto on March 28, the third scheduled performance—originally set for March 29 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts—was canceled by the venue after it received a bomb threat via email from a Chinese account.
Although the Toronto Police Service investigated the matter and confirmed that the threat was baseless, the theater nevertheless decided to cancel the remaining five performances scheduled through April 5.
After persistent efforts by Shen Yun’s local presenter, the theater agreed to reschedule the performances for late June.
Bomb threats sent via email from the same account were also directed at the venue hosting Shen Yun performances in Vancouver. After the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) confirmed that the threats were not credible, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver chose to proceed with its scheduled performances from April 8 to April 12 as planned.
GAC: Not Tolerating Foreign Interference
“Transnational repression – which is the use of threats, intimidation, or coercion by a state or its proxies against individuals or communities beyond its borders to coerce and ultimately silence political opposition abroad – is often employed against groups such as Falun Gong practitioners, wrote the GAC response.
During the June 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, leaders issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over acts of transnational repression committed by authoritarian states or their proxies. “As part of its commitment to counter transnational repression, Canada continues to engage with, support and protect vulnerable communities, including Falun Gong practitioners, to defend Canadian sovereignty and uphold the universality of human rights including freedom of religion or belief,” explained the GAC response.
For example, Canada invoked the Special Economic Measures Act to impose sanctions on eight current and former People’s Republic of China officials in December 2024 for their respective roles in grave human rights violations, including those committed against Falun Gong practitioners.
“Most recently, in January 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the situation of human rights in China directly with her Chinese counterpart,” the response continued.
“The Government of Canada shares the concern of all parliamentarians regarding human rights violations that restrict freedom of religion or belief. Canada will always support the rights of Canadians to express themselves freely and peacefully and continues to work internationally, including at the United Nations, to ensure that these universal rights are protected everywhere,” concluded the GAC response.
Expelling the CCP Officials Involved in Transnational Repression
Joel Chipkar, a spokesperson with the Falun Dafa Association in Canada, has called on Canadian officials to publicly condemn the CCP’s transnational repression against Shen Yun and Falun Gong in Canada, and to declare the Chinese Consulate officials responsible for the interference efforts in Vancouver as persona non grata and have them expelled.
Nineteen Canadian MPs from across party lines gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 5 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. Conservative MP James Bezan said the Chinese Consulate officials involved in the interference attempt should be expelled from Canada for engaging in foreign intimidation and transnational repression.
“It’s abuse of authority as well as the license that’s given to them as a diplomat,” he remarked. “Let’s make sure that they’re all held to account for creating these crimes against the people of Canada.”
Conservative MP Dan Muys said Canada can’t tolerate acts of interference such as the hoax bomb threats that initially led to the cancellation of Shen Yun shows in Toronto. “It’s incredible news that it (the show) is now back in Toronto, and I hope that I can join you in Toronto for that performance at the end of June, because we’ve got to celebrate that,” he added.
Conservative MP and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman also stated that Canada will not tolerate such acts of transnational repression. No foreign government, foreign embassy, or foreign ambassador can tell Canada how to conduct its affairs, she explained.
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