(Minghui.org) During the 2022 Falun Dafa Day Celebration in May, a total of 23 cities in Canada held flag-raising and lighting ceremonies to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public. Between May 11-13, three Ontario cities including Brighton, Orangeville and Quinte West, and Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan, held ceremonies. Edmonton, Alberta will hold a ceremony on May 20.

Many of the mayors personally officiated during the ceremonies and proclaimed May 13 Falun Dafa Day. The officials who participated in the ceremonies said that it was a great honour to raise the Falun Dafa Day flag. They commended Falun Dafa for its contributions to the community and humankind, and recognized that Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance are universal values, a precious gift in a chaotic world.

Celebrating 30 years of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world, 23 Canadian cities held flag-raising ceremonies.

“Falun Dafa’s Philosophy Is Also Desire of the Citizens of Brighton”

On May 13, 2022, Brian Ostrander, Mayor of Brighton, Ontario, hosted the flag-raising ceremony.

Mayor Ostrander said, “We are very proud to raise this flag. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the philosophy of Falun Dafa and also the desire of our citizens in Brighton.”

Mayor Ostrander said, “We are very proud to raise this flag. Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are the philosophy of Falun Dafa and also the desire of our citizens in Brighton. Mostly importantly, this represents our unwavering support for freedom of beliefs.”

He thanked the Falun Dafa practitioners for their attendance. He said, “In the city of Brighton, people can practice any faith that is in keeping with tradition. Thank you for being here. We are grateful. Happy ‘Falun Dafa Day!’”

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the spread of Falun Dafa, and we should celebrate the places in the world where we can freely practice Falun Gong. We want the citizens of Brighton to know that we respect and understand everyone’s beliefs within our tradition.” He said, “Canada is a free country. Across Canada, we are not only happy and proud of our freedom, but are working hard for it every single day.”

Mayor Ostrander condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution, “It is a terrible thing that a group like Falun Dafa is persecuted, no matter when or where. I’m glad that in Canada, righteous beliefs are accepted and embraced.”

Mayor Ostrander and Falun Dafa practitioners.

Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are Universal Values For All Human Beings; We Need To Get the Message Out

For the second year, the City of Orangeville, Ontario, held a flag-raising ceremony for May 13, 2022, Falun Dafa Day. Deputy Mayor Andy Macintosh presided over the ceremony on the morning of May 11 and proclaimed May 13 as Falun Dafa Day in the city.

Deputy Mayor Andy Macintosh of Orangeville, Ontario, presides over the flag-raising ceremony, and proclaims May 13 as “Falun Dafa Day” in the city.

Mr. Macintosh holds a T-shirt with the characters of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” and takes a photo with Falun Dafa practitioners

The Falun Dafa Day flag flies over Orangeville, Ontario

Deputy Mayor Macintosh said, “In the current situation, it is all the more important for us to properly support this important activity of yours.” He said he did not know much about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China before, and learned a lot through this event.

He said, “This event is great because there are many upsetting things happening in the international community now, so we need to use such a ceremony to regain inner peace and tranquility.” “Now, more than ever, we need to treat others with compassion and empathy, and the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance go hand in hand with that and can bring real help to people.”

“I believe that truthfulness, compassion and forbearance are universal values. We should be kind and tolerant to everyone,” he said.

The mayor said that although Orangeville is a small town, raising the flag here is a good start, and more and more cities will participate in the flag-raising in the future. “People are in tough times right now, so it’s especially important to have this event.”

“Not just in Orangeville, in Canada, in China, truthfulness, compassion and forbearance are universal values for all of humanity, so we need to get that message out,” Mayor Macintosh said.

Mayor Macintosh and the proclamation

The Values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance are the Common Wealth of Humanity, Regardless of Race or National Boundaries.

Quinte West, Ontario, is located along the scenic Bay of Quinte and is the gateway to the world-famous Trent Severn Waterway. The city is also home to Canada’s largest military base, 8 Wing Trenton. On May 11, Mayor Jim Harrison raised the Falun Dafa Day flag in person and hailed Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance as universal values.

The Falun Dafa Day flag was raised in Quinte West on May 11, 2022.

On May 11, 2022, the city held a flag-raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day, and Mayor Jim Harrison presided over the ceremony.

Mayor Harrison said, “The city held the flag raising ceremony to recognize the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance, which are common assets of humanity, regardless of race or national boundaries.”

He said, “The City of Quinte West is pleased to raise the flag today and celebrate the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. (These values) transcend cultural boundaries and contribute to a healthier, more harmonious society.”

Quinte West also celebrated the special day by illuminated a bridge with blue lights from May 11 – 13, 2022.

Mayor Harrison presents a city badge to a Falun Dafa practitioner

The City of Quinte West celebrated the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa by lighting up the bridge on the Bridge Street with blue lights from May 11 – 13, 2022.

Mayor Jim Harrison and the proclamation

“I Recommended That Our Citizens Come Together To Celebrate This Day.”

Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan has honored Falun Dafa Day for five years in a row.

On May 13, 2022, Mayor Sandra Masters, in recognition of Falun Dafa, proclaimed May 13, 2022 Falun Dafa Day in Regina.

On May 13, a flag-raising ceremony was held in Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan province, to celebrate Falun Dafa Day.

The Governor of Saskatchewan, Russell Mirasty, sent a letter of congratulations for Falun Dafa Day. The letter reads, “On behalf of Queen Elizabeth II of Canada, I am honored to extend my best wishes to each and every one of you as we celebrate Falun Dafa Day on May 13, 2022.”

The congratulatory letter reads, “We live in an era of spreading divisions and strife, and the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance promoted by Falun Dafa are indeed what is needed at this time.”

“The new Canadian immigrants who fled (the Chinese Communist Party) because they were persecuted for practicing Falun Dafa have shown extraordinary spiritual resilience in the face of great adversity. I want to thank the people who practice Falun Dafa in Saskatchewan for your contribution to the community.”

“As you celebrate the 30th anniversary of the spread of Falun Dafa, please accept our sincerest wishes for an enjoyable celebration.”

Mayor Sandra Masters proclaimed May 13 Falun Dafa Day in Regina

The mayor wrote, “As Mayor of Regina, I hereby proclaim May 13, 2022 as Falun Dafa Day in Regina and, in issuing this proclamation, suggest that our citizens come together to celebrate this day.”

Sandra MastersMayor of Regina