Member of Parliament Peggy Nash and Senator Consiglio Di Nino with the Flame of Truth in Parkdale district, Toronto, Canada.

TORONTO, Canada: More than 200 Tibetans and friends of Tibet took part in the Toronto leg of the ‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay on 8 Septmeber 2012. The Torch relay traversed through downtown Toronto covering ten kilometers. The main highlight of the procession was the distribution of pamphlets to promote awareness about the current struggle and sacrifices made by 51 Tibetans in Tibet.  Over 1000 signatures of local Canadians were collected in support of the petition during the three-hour procession.

The program began at around 11.30 AM in Parkdale area of Toronto with participation by long time friends and supporters of Tibetan cause in Canada like Peggy Nash, a Member of Parliament, and Senator Consiglio Di Nino.

Peggy Nash welcomed the torch to the City of Toronto and, as a member of the Canadian parliament, called upon the people of the world and the United Nation to note and act on what is happening inside Tibet currently. She strongly emphasized that the persistent violation of human rights in Tibet and the total disregard for Tibetan people’s personal life and freedom, and the denial of Tibetan’s right to speak in their own language and practice their own religion must come to end.  

Senator Di Nino, expressed solidarity with the people of Tibet and pledged his continued support for the cause of Tibet. He urged the Tibetans that they should never let the flame to seek freedom die as he believed that the Tibetans will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel. He further called upon the Tibetans to let known to the world, to Chinese community in Toronto and to Canadians as well, that Tibetans will never stop fighting for their country, for freedom and for justice.

The Flame of Truth torch procession in Toronto, Canada.

North Amrican Chithue Norbu Tsering explained in detail the objectives of the Flame of Truth Torch Relay and read out the petition to be submitted at the conclusion of the relay.

Kunsang Tanzin, President of the Canadian Tibetan Assoiciation, Ontario, expressed his gratitude to MP Peggy Nash and Senator Consiglio Di Nino for their consistent support for the cause of Tibet in Canada. He requested them to continue their support.

The gathering was also addressed by brother of Ashong and executive member of Dhokham Chusi Gangdrug Association. He urged the gathering to remember and value the ultimate sacrifices made by 51 Tibetans in Tibet and play dutifully one’s role in the Tibetan cause.

Among the prominent Tibetans in Toronto Kasur Lobsang Nyima, former Trimshipa Tashi, Chisur Kunga Tsering, former Tsogdrung Nawang Tsultrim and former representative Wangchuk Tsering took part in the event.

The event was jointly organized by the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontairo, RTYC, RTWA, SFT and Chushi Gangdug Association.

Members of the local Tibetan community in Toronto, Canada taking part in the Flame of Truth Torch relay on 8 September 2012.