The approximate number of ethnic Chinese people in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island; whether there are currently Falun Dafa/Falun Gong practitioners in New Brunswick; number of practitioners in New Brunswick (2001-2003) [CAN41639.E]

According to information posted on the Statistics Canada Website, based on 2001 census data, 1,310 people in New Brunswick stated that their ethnic origin was Chinese and an additional 770 people responded that Chinese was among their ethnic origins (Canada 2001a). In Prince Edward Island, 150 people reported that their ethnic origin was Chinese and another 75 people stated that Chinese was among their ethnic origins (ibid. 2001b).

A Falun Gong practitioner in Saint John, New Brunswick, who is listed as the sole contact person on the Falun Dafa in Atlantic Canada Website, stated that as far as he is aware, there have been only two Falun Gong practitioners (including himself) in New Brunswick from 2001 to 2003 (9 June 2003). However, he added that there may be other people practicing Falun Gong privately in their homes (Falun Gong practitioner 9 June 2003). The practitioner also mentioned that he travelled to Montreal to study Falun Gong, since he was unaware of any training available in New Brunswick (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Canada. 2001a. Statistics Canada. "Population by Selected Ethnic Origins, New Brunswick." http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/demo28e.htm [Accessed 4 June 2003]

_____. 2001b. Statistics Canada. "Population by Selected Ethnic Origins, Prince Edward Island." http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/demo28c.htm [Accessed 4 June 2003]

Falun Gong practitioner in Saint John, New Brunswick. 9 June 2003. Telephone interview.

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Canadaeast.com

Falun Dafa Clearwisdom

Falun Dafa in Atlantic Canada

Falun Dafa Information Center

Falun Dafa.org

Pure awakening.net