(Clearwisdom.net June 15, 2003) On the evening of June 11, the 2003 Canada Day Achievement Award ceremony was held in Toronto's city hall. The goal of the award is to commend those volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to Canadian society and the community. The award was initiated 20 years ago and is given around July 1, Canada National Day at Toronto's City Hall. This year 59 Toronto residents received awards. Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Zhang Zhaojin received the award for his efforts in assisting the Canadian government to rescue Ms. Wang Yuzhi from the United Arab Emirates when she faced immediate deportation at the pressure of Chinese government.

The reasons given for Zhaojin's recognition were his volunteering to coordinate the activities of Falun Dafa Association over the past five years, and for organizing and participating in many activities that benefited the community. These activities attracted many Toronto residents to learn Falun Gong. In addition he also offered help to a permanent resident of Canada who was wrongfully detained in another country. Because of he and his friends' help, the lady whom Zhaojin had never met before safely arrived in Canada.

Mr. Zhaojin Zhang is from Mainland China and is working at George Brown College. He is enthusiastically involved in community services and has made great contributions to society. Quite a few Falun Gong practitioners had won various rewards for their contributions to the community, but this was the first time that a Falun Gong practitioner was recognized for the successful rescue of another persecuted Falun Gong practitioner.

Mrs. Wang Yuzhi was jailed in China several times because of her belief in Falun Gong, and she nearly lost her sight because of the torture she suffered. After she got out of jail, she went to the United Arab Emirates to escape further persecution. While she was clarifying the truth of Falun Gong to the Chinese people there, she was discovered by Chinese agents. Then the Chinese authorities wrongfully accused her of being a terrorist. Not knowing the truth, the local police arrested her and was prepared to deport her at the request of the Chinese embassy. Upon learning of the urgent situation, Mr. Zhaojin Zhang and other Falun Gong practitioners contacted the federal and local government to rescue her. With the help of the Canadian government, Mrs. Wang was released three days later and arrived in Canada on November 11, 2002. After she arrived in Canada, Mrs. Wang shared her experiences in Chinese jail, shocking those who heard about the brutal persecution she suffered. In the meantime, news of the successful rescue of the persecuted Falun Gong practitioner spread widely in the community and was a source of great pride for fellow Canadians.

Toronto City Councillor and co-chair of the Toronto National Day Celebration Committee Mr. Chris Korwin Kuczynski said, "The recipients contributed to society unselfishly and not for material gain. Many of them have been outstanding in helping the community. It is my responsibility to say 'Thank You' to them, especially on Canada Day. It is because of these types of citizens that Canada is a great country. I am proud of them."

Chinese community leader and co-chair of Canada Day Celebration Committee Mr. Steve Ang said that in the past 20 years, the committee presented awards to people who have made outstanding contributions to the country and the community. The recipients generally have over 5 years experience in volunteering, are nominated by the community and selected by the committee.

Mr. Zhaojin Zhang sees this award as not just recognition for himself, but also for all Falun Gong practitioners. He said, "It demonstrates that the Canadian government and people have a good understanding of Falun Gong and the principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance". It also showed the support and respect from the Canadian government and people to Falun Gong. Canada is a country emphasizing the importance of volunteers, and Falun Gong practitioners' contributions to Canadian society are well recognized."

Posting date: 6/26/2003
Original article date: 6/25/2003
Category: Worldwide Support
Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2003/6/14/52215.html

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