Kathy Witdouck

Yesterday, I received an email from my 8 year old daughters school informing me that she has been selected to perform the "land acknowlegent" in her schools upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony. While my initial reaction was "the hell she is!", I had a night to sleep on it, and crafted my response seen below. We will not be a part of this virtue signalling that is now quickly becoming a slippery slope across Canada. *********************************** Dear Ms. ------ and Mr. ------, I am writing as the parent of ------ ------, a Grade 3 student at ------ Elementary, regarding the upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th. Ms. ------recently informed me that my daughter ------has been selected to deliver the land acknowledgement at the start of the event. While I appreciate the school's efforts to honour this significant day and involve students in meaningful ways, I must respectfully request that she not participate in this portion of the ceremony. After careful consideration, our family has decided that ------ will not be delivering the acknowledgement, and we will be excusing her from school that morning to attend a personal family observance at a local cenotaph. As a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran who has served our country, and with a family history of military service dating back to the 1700s - long before Canada was a nation - I hold Remembrance Day especially close to my heart. Many of my ancestors, including my great grandfather - who made the ultimate sacrifice overseas during WW1 and both of my grandfathers who thankfully survived WW2, fought to protect the freedoms we cherish today. This day, in our view, is sacred in its singular focus: to remember and honour the over 110,000 Canadian soldiers who died in the World Wars, the thousands lost in other conflicts, and the countless veterans who returned bearing the invisible and visible scars of their service. It is a time to reflect on those who built and defended this land, ensuring its safety for generations, including our own children. We recognize the importance of cultural education and reconciliation efforts, and Canada thoughtfully designates National Indigenous Peoples' Day on June 21st and National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th for such observances. These dedicated days allow space for those vital conversations without overshadowing other national commemorations. On Remembrance Day, however, introducing elements like a land acknowledgement - even with the best intentions - feels like it dilutes the day's profound purpose. For families like ours, who have contributed to the very fabric of this nation through generations of service, it can inadvertently suggest that our shared history begins elsewhere, rather than celebrating the collective sacrifices that unite us. Daily land acknowledgements at school, while well-meaning, have also begun to weigh heavily on ------. At just eight years old, she is internalizing messages that frame her - and by extension, her family - as outsiders or "colonizers" on the land her ancestors helped defend and develop. This is not a narrative that aligns with our lived history or values, and it risks eroding her sense of belonging in her own community. We are committed to teaching her about Canada's diverse histories in age-appropriate, balanced ways, but we believe Remembrance Day should remain untouched by these broader discussions. On November 11th, instead of the school ceremony, we plan to take ------ to the cenotaph to meet with fellow veterans, including a surviving relative who served. This firsthand experience will help her connect directly with the human stories behind the day, fostering a deep, personal appreciation for sacrifice and service. We hope the school will accommodate this absence without issue, as it aligns with our educational goals for her. I kindly ask that you and the school community reflect on these perspectives. At its core, this is a plea from one CAF veteran's family: please, let us have this one day - one achingly difficult day - to grieve, remember, and honour without the intrusion of political or performative elements. It would mean the world to those of us who have worn the uniform, and to the children we raise to understand its weight. Thank you for your understanding and for the compassionate work your team does every day. I am happy to discuss this further if helpful and remain grateful for the supportive environment ------Elementary provides for ------. Sincerely, ------ Father of ------ ------

Largest fentanyl lab in the history of the world busted in Vancouver. Chinese organized crime, possibly Iran. liberals won’t release data and information. 100 million doses, shipped south to NW US on ships through our ports that have no law enforcement. Ya our borders are really secure FFS.

Wow Wow Wow A must listen.

Got some seat time in the new CR11. Very impressed with this machine, big thanks to our dealership for setting this up! @waltegreg @VaneeFarmCentre @NewHollandAG

“Mr. Bean” on free speech in UK. Video: @christianorguk

Catholic Bishop Robert Barron on the obscene mockery of Christianity during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. Well said @BishopBarron

Pretty neat experience watching these up close 🛩️

@WayneSundby @BrianWitdouck He’s managing the place now! So proud of him @kwitdouck_10 @BrianWitdouck

Taking a ride with my son on Father’s Day delivering a load of potato’s

Breaking!! In Finance Committee this morning. PBO confirms Trudeau put a gag on him from disclosing a government report on the Carbon Tax that confirms his findings. Me: They put a gag on you? PBO: That is my understanding. What is Trudeau trying to hide? Listen here⤵️

Maher mocks Canada. Not funny, however.

The reason - the absolute only reason is that the last election was Oct 21 2021 Sooo if the the 2025 election was held on the date mandated by law (Oct 20) Many of the Liberal & NDP candidates who WILL be defeated will not be eligible for a pension Remember this Remember it well

Just got tested at the MAN VAN for prostate cancer screening. The alternate form of testing is less pleasant. Get yours today at Ag Expo Lethbridge. I do it every year

@kwitdouck_10 @BrianWitdouck

Worth watching

I had a heated discussion today with a teacher in Edmonton about the proposed transgender policies - she was rallying someone about taking action against the "devastating" policies being proposed in Alberta. My initial, and only, comment was going to be: "I think she is doing the right thing" and walk away. But she insisted on telling me how wrong I was. I couldn't believe some of the nonsense she was saying. She began by asking if I agreed with government overreach... Me! the one who has advocated against government overreach for years! I explained that this is actually about parental rights, not government overreach and that some gay and trans individuals in fact support these policies. We set limits for children because they are not developmentally ready for certain responsibilities. She claimed that I was conflating the issues, but did not explain how. What she and others who oppose these proposals fail to appreciate is that children do not have the same privileges and rights as adults - period. Parents are legally and financially responsible for their children. If parents fail to provide a safe environment, the state can intervene and, in certain cases, even remove their children (now that's government overreach!). She took offense when I referred to teachers as "temporary government agents." I don't understand why that is offensive; it's a fact. Some teachers (aka temporary government agents) are better than others, but they all come and go in a child's life without any financial or legal responsibility. Parents do not have this luxury. There's nothing offensive about this statement; it's simply a fact. She continuously claimed that puberty blockers are reversible. I argued that this was likely incorrect and questioned why it's illegal for a man to obtain testosterone while a 12-year-old girl can take it. There are long-term health impacts to consider, if you'd only think about it for more than 10 seconds. Once again, she accused me of conflating the issues without providing any further explanation. The most surprising display of her rigid ideology came when I mentioned the case of a BC father who was charged and jailed for opposing his daughter's gender reassignment. She questioned the validity of my source! Apparently, a police arrest and criminal court case weren't considered valid evidence because she hadn't heard about it through her news channels. This brings me to the real problem: she kept asserting that social media is full of disinformation and when I suggested she needed to get out of her bubble, she denied being in a bubble. She exclusively listens to legacy media (which is increasingly biased and losing public credibility) and refuses to engage with people who hold different views. I believe this is the root of the problem in Canada. I never expected to have this type of discussion after a yoga class on a Sunday afternoon. It was uncomfortable and difficult, but also very informative. It was disheartening to see her strong commitment to a specific narrative without acknowledging alternative facts and the diverse range of trans and gay individuals who support this policy. We need to get outside of our echo chambers. I encourage everyone to engage in uncomfortable and difficult discussions rather than shying away. That's what it means to live in a democratic society. Every voice matters, and the loudest and most hysterical should not dominate the conversation.

@LeightonKolk OMG, I spit my tea out!

The last time I saw something go from that hot…to that cold…that fast, was the night I asked my wife if her lingerie was getting a little tight. #Icyrightthrough #minus40C

Merry Christmas to this Dad and the seven children he is raising by himself after his wife suddenly passed. This one hits.

I’m not crying, you’re crying This is the most memorable 2 minutes you will spend today

@LeightonKolk Bahaha. Oh @LeightonKolk! Happy Anniversary to you both🥂

We were having a nice tuna salad on the Galveston beach for our 35th Her: a little saucy, but otherwise a really good poke. Me: reminds me why I married you. #romanceat35years

@Panopticonomy @JustinTrudeau Here is the article for people like me who may find it is behind a paywall.