(Minghui.org) As a Falun Dafa Day flag was raised in Milton, Ontario, Canada, to celebrate the 31st anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day on May 1, 2023, more cities in Ontario raised the flag and proclaimed Falun Dafa Day.

From May 8 to 12, 2023, flag-raising ceremonies were held in Cambridge, Orillia, Brock, Scugog, and Orangeville to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Flag-raising ceremonies in five cities in Ontario from May 8 to 12, 2023.

Cambridge, Ontario: “Thank You for Your Steadfast Commitment to Promoting Compassion and Tolerance Here at Home and Around the World.”

The ceremony was held at 9:00 a.m. on May 8 at Cambridge Township Square in Cambridge, Ontario. A flag was raised while a small band composed of Falun Dafa practitioners played music.

World Falun Dafa Day Flag raising ceremony in Cambridge Township, Ontario.

World Falun Dafa Day Flag raising ceremony in Cambridge, Ontario.

Provincial Councillor Brian Riddell and the proclamation.

In his proclamation letter, Provincial Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Ontario, Brian Riddell, said, “As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Cambridge, it is my distinct pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to the Falun Dafa community as you gather in Civic Square to proudly raise your celebration flag. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to promoting compassion and tolerance here at home and around the world.”

Orillia: “The Great Compassion and Forbearance Demonstrated by Practitioners under the Persecution Have Touched Every Kind-Hearted Human Being.”

A flag-raising ceremony was held at 11:00 a.m. on the same day in Orillia, Ontario. For the third consecutive year, Mayor Don Mclsaac proclaimed May 13 as Falun Dafa Day in the city.

Flag raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day in Orillia, Ontario.

Flag raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day in Orillia, Ontario.

Mayor Don Mclsaac and the proclamation.

In his proclamation, Mayor Don Mclsaac said, “Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient Chinese spiritual discipline in the Buddhist tradition. It consists of moral teachings, meditation, and gentle exercises that are a unique and effective way to improve people’s health and energy levels; and

Falun Dafa was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China. Transcending cultural and racial boundaries, today Falun Dafa is being practiced by more than 100 million people in over 114 countries from all walks of life; and

At the core of Falun Dafa are the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Through consistent and dedicated practice, the student of Falun Gong comes to achieve a state of selflessness, greater insight and awareness, inner purity and balance; and

The great compassion and forbearance demonstrated by Falun Dafa practitioners under the Chinese Communist Regime’s most severe persecution have touched every kind-hearted human being; and

Falun Dafa practitioners in communities across Canada celebrate Falun Dafa Day on May 13 and this year marks its 30th anniversary.

I, Don, Mclsaac, Mayor of the City of Orillia do hereby proclaim May 13, 2023, as “Falun Dafa Day” in the City of Orillia.”

Flag Raising Ceremony in Brock Township: “It is a Meaningful Event.”

At 10:00 a.m. on May 10, the township of Brock held a flag-raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day. Fernando Lamanna, Chief Financial Officer of the township, presided over the flag-raising ceremony and read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Walter Schummer, proclaiming May 13, 2023, as Brock Falun Dafa Day.

Brock holds a Falun Dafa Day flag-raising ceremony.

Brock holds a Falun Dafa Day flag-raising ceremony.

Brock Mayor Walter Schummer and the proclamation.

Mr. Lamanna said, “It is very meaningful to have such an event in the town of Brock, not only in the town of Brock but also in Ontario and around the world.”

Scugog Proclaims May 13, 2023, as Falun Dafa Day

Scugog held a flag-raising ceremony for the second consecutive year at 11:00 a.m. on May 12, 2023.

On behalf of the Mayor, Laurie Bowers, Director of Community Services of Scugog Township Perry District Council, attended the flag-raising ceremony and read the proclamation.

Scugog holds a Falun Dafa Day flag-raising ceremony.

Laurie Bowers (third from left), Director of Community Services of the Perry District Council, presided over the flag-raising ceremony on behalf of the Mayor and read the proclamation.

Scugog Township Mayor Wilma Wotten and her letter.

Mayor Wilma Wotten said in her letter, “On behalf of the Township of Scugog Council I extend our congratulations to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada as you celebrate your 31^st year of contribution to Canada honoring the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

"I am pleased to offer this greeting to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada and proclaim Falun Dafa Day this May 13, 2023.

"Therefore, I, Mayor Wilma Wotten on behalf of the Township of Scugog do hereby proclaim May 13, 2023, as Falun Dafa Day within the Township of Scugog.”

Orangeville: Falun Dafa Contributes to a More Peaceful, Tolerant, and Compassionate Society

On the same day, May 12, at 11:30 a.m., Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post hosted the flag-raising ceremony and proclaimed May 13, 2023, as Falun Dafa Day in Orangeville.

Flag-raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day in Orangeville.

Flag-raising ceremony for Falun Dafa Day in Orangeville.

Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post reads her proclamation.

In the proclamation Mayor Post said, “Whereas, Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is an advanced exercise and spiritual practice for mind and body that honors the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance; and

"Whereas, Falun Dafa has benefited both physically and spiritually tens of millions of people from diverse cultural backgrounds in over 100 countries, including Canada, since its public introduction in China in May 1992; and

"Whereas, Falun Dafa transcends cultural and racial boundaries and contributes to a more peaceful, tolerant, and compassionate society; and

"Whereas, Falun Dafa practitioners in communities across Canada are celebrating Falun Dafa Day on May 13 to mark this year as the 31^st Anniversary; and
"Now, therefore, I, Mayor Lisa Post, on behalf of the Council, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2023, as “Falun Dafa Day” in the Town of Orangeville.”

Proclamation letter from Lisa Post, Mayor of Orangeville.

After the flag-raising ceremony, Mayor Post greeted each practitioner and said, “Thank you each and every one of you for coming. Thank you.”