(Minghui.org) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China on January 13, 2026. Because the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) transnational repression is escalating and has extended to Canada, the Falun Dafa Association of Canada called on the Prime Minister to raise this issue when he met with Chinese officials. The association also called on him to urge the release of Canadian residents’ family members who are detained for practicing Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) in China.

Practitioners held a rally and march in Toronto on August 16, 2025, calling for an end to the CCP’s transnational repression.

Spokesperson Joel Chipkar of the Falun Dafa Association said that the prime minister’s voice in raising these issues with Chinese officials would, “Give hope to victims, support affected Canadian families, and send a clear message that Canada will not tolerate repression on its soil.

“The persecution of Falun Gong in China remains severe, systematic, and unabated. In 2025 alone, at least 750 practitioners were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, many of whom are elderly practitioners in their 80s who endured sham trials and torture,” Mr. Chipkar said. “Falun Gong practitioners remain the largest group of prisoners of conscience in China. For over 26 years, the CCP has utilized state machinery to detain, torture, and silence millions.”

Calling on Canada to Lead the Effort to End the CCP’s Transnational Repression

In its letter to the prime minister, the association wrote, in part: “Canada has long been regarded as a staunch advocate for human rights and religious freedom, and is committed to resisting foreign interference and protecting communities from transnational repression. We urge you, during your visit to China, to directly raise the issue of the persecution and transnational repression of Falun Gong practitioners with Chinese leaders, in order to reaffirm Canada’s core values.

“This persecution has crossed borders, manifesting as transnational repression on Canadian soil,” said Chipkar said. The association submitted a report to Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission in 2024, documenting more than a quarter of a century of transnational repression in Canada, including harassment, cyber attacks, surveillance, hate propaganda, violence, and interference with public events.

The Transnational Repression Threatens Canada’s Sovereignty

In its letter to the prime minister, the association noted its concern that transnational repression has intensified in recent years, targeting both Falun Gong practitioners and Shen Yun Performing Arts, a world-renowned classical Chinese dance company founded by Falun Gong practitioners. Shen Yun and the Falun Gong community have faced harassment, disinformation, surveillance, and bomb and mass-shooting threats in Canada and other democratic countries.

Shen Yun has become a CCP target because it aims to revive traditional Chinese culture predating communism and expose the ongoing religious persecution in China.

The letter continues: “Falun Gong practitioners have seen a surge in hoax mass-shooting and bomb threats since 2024, with more than 160 death and bomb threats targeting their community worldwide, at least 127 of those threats were directed at Shen Yun Performing Arts. The threats targeted theatres scheduled to host Shen Yun performances during the performing arts company’s 2025 global tour. Incidents occurred at four theatres in Canada in 2025—in Mississauga, Kitchener, Montreal, and Vancouver. The emailed threats warned of violence should the performances proceed, in an apparent attempt to shut down the performances. Some of the threatening messages were traced to China and exhibited indicators suggesting involvement by Chinese authorities.

“Such acts constitute serious criminal activity. The Government of Canada has a responsibility to raise these concerns at the highest level with Chinese leadership, to protect the safety and well-being of Canadians, and uphold the fundamental right to freedom of artistic expression for those who sought refuge and freedom in Canada.

“These incidents are part of a coordinated campaign of transnational repression aimed at silencing dissent, intimidating communities, and exerting influence over Canadian institutions. Beyond the harm inflicted on the Falun Gong community and Shen Yun, such actions pose a direct threat to Canada’s sovereignty, public safety, democratic values.”

Calling for the Release of Detained Family Members

Mr. Chipkar said the association specially requested that Prime Minister Carney advocate for the release of 10 Falun Gong practitioners who are family members of Canadian residents. The 10 are being detained in multiple provinces in China, including Gansu, Shandong, Hubei, Tianjin, Beijing, Liaoning, and Shanxi, and demonstrate the CCP’s ongoing and systematic persecution of Falun Gong.

“These families continue to suffer as their loved ones face systematic torture, abuse, and even death within the Chinese prison system, after being sentenced to up to nine years following sham trials,” Mr. Chipkar said.

65 Canadian Senators and Members of Parliament signed a statement condemning the persecution and the escalating transnational repression.

As of December 10, 2025, 65 Canadian Senators and Members of Parliament had signed a joint statement condemning the CCP’s 26-year-long persecution and the escalating transnational repression. In a letter, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety expressed his concern about the CCP’s transnational repression in Canada and its serious and ongoing impact on Falun Gong practitioners. He encouraged practitioners to meet and communicate with relevant authorities.