Sanctions and protections for Falun Gong

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to publicly demand China end persecution and transnational repression of Falun Gong, impose sanctions and accountability on responsible CCP actors, and strengthen protections for targeted communities. The government responds that Canada has imposed sanctions, prioritized countering transnational repression, and is implementing inquiry recommendations to protect communities.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WHEREAS: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has engaged in a 26-year campaign of eradication against Falun Gong practitioners, who follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance; Falun Gong practitioners in China have suffered severe human rights abuses, including mass arbitrary detention, torture, killing, and forced organ harvesting on a large scale; In Canada, Falun Gong adherents have been subjected to transnational repression and foreign interference by the CCP, including harassment, surveillance, intimidation, disinformation, and other forms of sabotage; Recent incidents include bomb and shooting threats targeting Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance and music performance presented globally by the Falun Gong community that showcases the traditional China before communism and also exposes the CCP's atrocities; The G7 leaders have condemned transnational repression as a serious threat to fundamental rights and freedoms, national security, and state sovereignty. THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to proactively deploy all possible avenues to: 1. Publicly call on the Chinese regime to end its persecution of Falun Gong in China and transnational repression abroad; 2. Continue to impose sanctions on and pursue accountability for CCP officials and proxies responsible for these human rights violations; 3. Take stronger measures to protect the Falun Gong community targeted by foreign repression.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant The promotion and protection of human rights is a core element of Canadian foreign policy. Canada consistently calls on the People’s Republic of China to respect, protect, and promote freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion or belief – obligations that all States must fulfill. Canada has publicly voiced concern about the intimidation and repression of, inter alia, religious groups in China, including Falun Gong practitioners, and raises its concerns privately with relevant Chinese authorities whenever possible. Canada will never tolerate acts of foreign interference or transnational repression against its citizens or those in Canada. Canada made countering transnational repression a priority during its Group of Seven Presidency in 2025 and did so to raise awareness of these malign tactics and to advance a coordinated international response. Transnational repression – which is the use of threats, intimidation, or coercion by a state or its proxies against individuals or communities beyond its borders to coerce and ultimately silence political opposition abroad – is often employed against groups such as Falun Gong practitioners. On December 10, 2024, Canada invoked the Special Economic Measures Act to impose sanctions on eight current and former People’s Republic of China officials for their respective roles in grave human rights violations, including those committed against Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, in January 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the situation of human rights in China directly with her Chinese counterpart. Canada is actively working to increase safeguards on our democratic institutions and protect communities from foreign interference. The 2024 Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference identified attempts by foreign actors, including state-affiliated entities, to intimidate and coerce diaspora communities, among them Falun Gong practitioners. The Government of Canada is implementing the inquiry’s recommendations to strengthen protections, enhance transparency, and support affected communities, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to fundamental rights, democratic integrity, and the rule of law. Canada will always defend the right for people to express themselves and for them to partake in their cultural events without interference or fear of harm. Global Affairs Canada is aware of the abhorrent bombing and mass shooting threats that targeted Shen Yun dance performances across Canada. Officials from Global Affairs Canada contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada immediately upon learning of these threats and were alerted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had already been notified and that an investigation was already underway.? Canada continues to express concern about the intimidation and repression of ethnic and religious minority groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, and raises these issues at appropriate opportunities. Canada’s goal is to ensure its engagement on human rights issues is effective and strategic. Canada uses the tools available to us, including public statements and diplomatic representations, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums, as well as in coordination with countries that share similar concerns.