October 1, 2001

The Right Honourable Jean Chretien
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Prime Minister:

I am writing to you at the request of certain citizens of my community with respect to the persecution by the Chinese government of followers of the Falun Gong movement.

I know that it is the policy of the Government of Canada to have constructive engagement with the Government of China. However, Canada is a country that puts the highest possible value on human rights and their protection by all governments. I hope and trust that in all of our relations with the Chinese government we are voicing our concerns with respect to human rights violations generally and persecution of Falun Gong followers in particular.

I would appreciate your written response to this letter.

Yours very truly,

Steve Parish
Mayor