TORONTO, Canada—Charmaine Williams, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, says Shen Yun Performing Arts is full of joy and hope.

“It just filled me with so much joy,” Ms. Williams said after seeing Shen Yun’s opening performance at the Four Seasons Centre on March 31. “I just felt so empowered because it was a story of hope.”

“With stories and legends, vibrant costumes and backdrops, original music, and a few fun surprises—it’s an experience that will delight your senses, inspire your heart, and just leave you feeling great,” the website says.

Ms. Williams noted that our society has gone through turbulent times, especially coming out of a pandemic, so it’s crucial to be reminded that there is hope, as she saw in Shen Yun.

“We are climbing out of the post-pandemic ripple effects, and we’re building our economy, and we have to hold on to hope. And that’s what Shen Yun reminded me [of]: Holding on to hope,” she said.

“When politics wants to get involved, we need to remember our core values and the love and the peace that we all strive for.”

“As we approach the Holy Week, Palm Sunday, we have something positive to look forward to. So I’m just overjoyed, and I’m very thankful that Shen Yun is in Toronto and is here for everybody to benefit from.”

Ms. Williams said she saw light in Shen Yun.

“I saw so much brightness, so much lightness,” she said. “I loved every minute of it.”

“It was wonderful.”