451-00721 (Foreign affairs)

The promotion and protection of human rights is a core element of Canadian foreign policy. Canada consistently calls on 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. 

During the Universal Periodic Review process, Canada provides targeted recommendations to states to address Freedom of Religion or Belief concerns, including restrictions on religious practice. During the 2024 Universal Periodic Review of China at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Canada made specific reference to Falun Gong practitioners when calling on China to end all forms of enforced disappearances. 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. 

Global Affairs Canada is aware of the very troubling 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 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 G7 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. At the June 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Leaders issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over acts of transnational repression committed by authoritarian states or their proxies. As part of its commitment to counter transnational repression, Canada continues to engage with, support and protect vulnerable communities, including Falun Gong practitioners, to defend Canadian sovereignty and uphold the universality of human rights including freedom of religion or belief. 

The Government of Canada shares the concern of all parliamentarians regarding human rights violations that restrict freedom of religion or belief. Canada will always support the rights of Canadians to express themselves freely and peacefully and continues to work internationally, including at the United Nations, to ensure that these universal rights are protected everywhere.