MP Cathay Wagantall's Speech at the 33rd Falun Dafa Anniversary

"I am so pleased to be here today supporting you. First of all, I want to thank you for the invitation to be here today. For 33 years, Falun Dafa has been a source of mental, moral and physical enrichment for millions of its practitioners around the world. And for most of the 33 years, Falun Dafa has been persecuted by the highest levels of Beijing communist regime in China and abroad, it's no wonder why Beijing worked so tirelessly to suppress followers of the Falun Dafa, its main tenants of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance stand antithetical to what the communist regime stands for. You have found success, though, in China, Canada and worldwide, through peaceful spiritual practices that improve well being and despite brutal oppression and violence, you have remained so resilient. Canada is not immune from Beijing's attempts to silence you, and as we begin a new parliament. Let me be unequivocal in stating, we condemn any attempts to suppress freedom of belief or expression, whether it be in Canada or elsewhere in the world, to be able to express your faith. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right. Indeed, it is the world's first freedom. No government has the authority to interfere in the peaceful practices of these rights, and this is what we as a party stand for right here in Canada, in regard to religious freedom and certainly supporting faiths around the world and the freedom to be able to express that faith, not just within your own communities, but in the public square. I would like to thank the Falun Dafa Association of Canada for all it does to promote its practice in Canada as well as shed the light on the threats that your practitioners face. I want you to know that we stand with you today and every day. Thank you."