To celebrate the 31st anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day, cities across Canada are holding flag-raising ceremonies and illuminating local landmarks in honour of the spiritual practice’s principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Many of the events have been attended by VIPs, including local politicians. Conservative MP John Brassard praised the practice at a ceremony in Barrie and highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant against the communist regime in Beijing. Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall also spoke at the event and emphasised Canada’s freedom of religion as a beacon of hope and opportunity. At least 16 cities and towns across the country are participating, including Hamilton, Orangeville, and Scugog in Ontario. While Falun Dafa is practiced in over 110 countries worldwide, it remains banned in China, where the authoritarian regime’s persecution campaign involves incarceration, torture, brainwashing, and the live harvesting of organs from adherents. In addition to flag-raising events and illuminations, officials from various levels of government have sent greetings to Falun Dafa practitioners, including over a dozen MPs and Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty.