(Minghui.org) “Falun Dafa practitioners are popular in our community. I am delighted to welcome Falun Dafa here,” Leonard Krog, mayor of Nanaimo, said during the flag-raising ceremony. This is the fourth year the event has been held to commemorate World Falun Dafa Day. “I hope they feel safe here and are able to continue to follow their faith.”

Mayor Leonard Krog (third on left, front row) took a group photo with practitioners at the flag-raising ceremony for World Falun Dafa Day held on May 4, 2026.

A flag with the words “World Falun Dafa Day” fluttered in the blue skies above Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, on Monday morning, May 4, 2026.

A World Falun Dafa Day flag was raised in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, on Monday morning, May 4, 2026.

The flag-raising ceremony was hosted by Mayor Leonard Krog, and this was the fourth time he held the ceremony in celebration of World Falun Dafa day. He said he felt proud: “Canada is the first country in the world to recognize and commend Falun Dafa. I feel especially proud of this.

“When we see persecution happening in countries around the world, democratic governments shrinking globally, and those in power becoming autocratic rulers, all the more should we be grateful for being in Canada.

“I support Falun Dafa. Support this entire concept of freedom, as well as the right to become the person you want to be in this country. This is the heart of Canada. It reflects the basic values of Canada, and respects the right of Falun Dafa practitioners to live safely here, and practice cultivation.”

May 13 is World Falun Dafa Day and also the birthday of the founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.

Mayor Krog said Nanaimo has a particularly long connection with Chinese people that can be traced back more than 140 years to the mining era in that region. He hopes today that the Falun Dafa practitioners from China are protected and can live and work happily in this free land and practice cultivation.

The mayor also praised Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and said, “To tell the truth, and speak the truth, this is one of the most basic principles in life. Without ‘truth’ and honesty, there cannot be a good government.”

When he learned that May 13 is also the birthday of the founder of Falun Dafa, Mr. Li Hongzhi, Krog smiled and wished Master Li a “Happy Birthday!”

Mayor Issues Proclamation Honoring Falun Gong

Mayor Krog also issued a letter proclaiming May 13, 2026, World Falun Dafa Day in Nanaimo. (Photo courtesy Minghui correspondent)

For many years, Mayor Krog has expressed his support for Falun Dafa through proclamation letters. He read the proclamation he issued for 2026 at the flag-raising ceremony:

“Whereas: Falun Dafa celebrates the 34th anniversary of the introduction of one of the world's most popular meditation and cultivation practices on May 13,2026; and

“Whereas: Falun Dafa is a peaceful self-improvement practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture that consists of five gentle exercises, including meditation, and teachings centered on the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance; and

“Whereas: Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, has helped millions around the world improve their health and moral standards as well as deepen their understanding of life, humanity, and the universe through the practice of Falun Dafa; and

“Whereas: since its first introduction to the public in China in May 1992, today Falun Dafa is practiced in over a hundred countries worldwide by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is always taught free of charge by volunteers and can be practiced individually or in groups.

“Now therefore, I, Leonard Krog, Mayor of the City of Nanaimo, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2026, as Falun Dafa Day in the City of Nanaimo, Province of British Columbia.”

Group photo of practitioners at the flag-raising ceremony on May 4, 2026.

Practitioners hold the flag to be raised at the ceremony.

Society Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Local resident Andy and his two children came to the park to enjoy the start of summer. He praised the mayor for raising the Falun Dafa flag and said he hopes residents in Nanaimo can follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. “The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are, of course, important. There are too many judgments and divisions in society now; people tend to find reasons to criticize things instead of understanding and being compassionate. So, we need more of these values.”

He and his children were also drawn to another activity that practitioners held on Vancouver Island that day, and said, “I think it’s wonderful that we have such freedom in Canada. I hope to see more of these activities.”

One of his children said, “I truly love the music here. I also love the costumes; they are very cool. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” “It’s great that you share culture that we don’t usually see, and you feel safe here.”