(Minghui.org) Canadian Falun Gong practitioners from Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto celebrated the 15 ^th World Falun Dafa Day in front of the Parliament Hill on May 7.

The series of events started at 7am, when practitioners passed out Falun Gong materials to tourists. At 9am, they demonstrated the exercises. The Divine Land Marching Band then marched around the downtown area at noon. Practitioners then performed traditional Chinese dances and waist drum at 1pm.

The Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, as well as 11 other parliament members came to the celebration.

Mr. Kenny greeted the practitioners in Chinese: “Hello, Falun Dafa is good. Falun Dafa is good.” He thanked the practitioners for coming to Parliament Hill and expressing their support for human rights and freedom of belief in a beautiful way.

The celebration in front of Parliament Hill

Group exercise

Divine Land Marching Band

Chinese waist drum performance

Young practitioners performing Chinese dance

Tourists signing a petition supporting Falun Gong

Practitioners telling people about Falun Gong

Tourist: “We are lucky to have learned the exercises from you today.”

Mariana and Aleena, two tourists, watched the exercises with interest. “I was touched, and had a special feeling,” Mariana said, “A nice Chinese lady came over to us and told us what Falun Gong is. Then a western gentleman taught us the exercises.”

“Do you know how I felt?” Mariana asked, “All of sudden, I felt so relaxed.”

“I suffer from serious insomnia. I always feel sleepy, even if I get more than 10 hours of sleep, because my brain never truly falls asleep.”

With tears in her eyes, Mariana said: “But today, all the stress and depression in my mind are gone all of a sudden. I'm really excited. It feels like I found what I've been looking for.”

“We are lucky to have learned the exercises from you today. I will keep practicing it,” she said.

Anik, a local citizen, heard about the celebration on Facebook.

Anik (right) is learning the exercises

“I was just curious and tried to see what was going on. But when I sat down, starting to learn the exercises, I felt something happening in my body. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I know I've got something wonderful. This is just a start. I will keep it up,” said Anik.

High School Student: “My whole body is full of energy.”

A group of high school students had a field trip at Parliament Hill. They saw the group exercise demonstration and decided to learn.

High school students learning the exercises

Mark said: “I felt hot when learning the exercises. It seemed that my whole body is full of energy, especially in my arms and head. I'm grateful for this chance to learn the exercises.”

Alex felt a strong force pushing his arms to do the exercise movements. “I felt good—this is really interesting. I'll do it at home,” he said.

Almost every student felt energy flowing in their bodies. Some felt it in the arms, some in the shoulders and some in the chest.

All of the students signed on the petition in support of the practitioners' efforts.

Chinese government official: “Falun Gong has contributed a lot to society. Your reputation will be restored.”

A visiting Chinese government official and his wife watched the performances for a long time. He said to a practitioner: “I believe that Falun Gong has contributed a lot to society. You helped the government reduce the burden of healthcare and keep society harmonious. I believe that your reputation will be restored.”

He also told practitioners that he has already quit the communist party.

Practitioners: “I am grateful to Master Li Hongzhi.”

Xia Guiqi from Montreal, 76, started practicing Falun Gong in 1998. “Looking back on the 16-year journey, all I want to say today is that I am grateful to Master Li Hongzhi,” Ms. Xia said.

Ms. Xia Guiqi from Montreal

“I suffered a lot before I started practicing Falun Gong. I had many conflicts in daily life, and very bad health. I thought about committing suicide many times. I was full of hatred towards life and society as a whole.”

“Cultivating Falun Gong restored my health and made me realize that everything, including my suffering, comes from my karma. I don't bear so much resentment and complain anymore. I have become a happy person.”

“My family witnessed my change and all support me in doing the practice. I also get along very well with my co-workers and other people in daily life.”

Ms. Xia said: “I come here today, trying to let more people know about Falun Dafa and its teachings—Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

“I've benefited a lot from it, and I want more people to benefit too,” said Ms. Xia.

Mr. Jin from Montreal had a similar feeling. “When you try to see the conflicts from other people's viewpoint and try to consider others first, you would see that nothing is unsolvable. You will end up improving and discarding your attachments. Every time I experience such improvements, it is due to Master Li's guidance.”

“So, I want to express my deep appreciation to Master Li Hongzhi today,” Mr. Jin said.

Mr. Jin from Montreal