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COVID-19

School in the time of COVID. A parent perspective

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4 minute read

This post is from a parent in Red Deer.  He gave his permission to post this on Todayville and added “we haven’t talked to the teachers about any of this yet. These were the accounts our kids had and the anxiety the felt after that first day.”

Am I the only parent heart broken for our children?

Despite our two youngest girls having an “ok” first day of school, some of the stories all three shared were downright disturbing and saddening.
Picking up (our youngest), she was happy and bubbly, maybe just relieved the first day was over. Listening to her explain the “new normal” school rules was sad for sure. Probably more for the dad listening but unable to change how she was, in order to talk to a friend or anyone even in her class, required to wear her mask. Ok, fine…it’s what society has deemed a necessary inconvenience. Then, at lunch, she was told to keep their eyes down on their lunch and if they were to talk to a friend keep looking downward at the lunch table to speak, don’t look at your friend. She definitely did not enjoy wearing the mask but all and all she did ok.
(Our middle child), for the most part, had a great day. Just happy to be back in a social setting and willing to do whatever it takes. Her stories were different only to the fact that one teacher allowed them to remove their masks a bit more than the other, still tons of new rules, but she was still happy to be there learning.
(Our oldest) and her age group is where I start to get really concerned. Her day sounded more like a “break your will” first day of prison than covid precautions. She said her class was not allowed to remove their masks in class, even when seated separately facing forward. There was an expectation of no talking what so ever and their lunch was to be eaten in silence. She was so uncomfortable and awkward that we found her lunch had not been touched. The kid chose not to eat out of embarrassment. Apparently at recess, when the kids could finally take off their mask and were so excited to see their friends they’ve been missing, the school yard warden gave them shit for talking several times and deemed they weren’t “distancing” enough. They were then forced to wear their masks for the rest of recess.
I didn’t get as many details as (my wife) maybe, but what I heard broke my heart for all kids trying to have a life right now. Some of these little inconveniences seem to be more about obedience than safety and I just can’t see it working.
For the record, I am not ragging on teachers or school admin for trying to comply with what has to be an impossible to navigate policy. Nor am I trying to down play the fear and anxiety some parents have over just sending their kid to school. But, how long can this last? Will there be a sharp increase of high school kids dropping out to avoid the control? It just feels like to me, despite all good intention, our kid’s spirit and individuality will suffer the most.

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COVID-19

Canadian government seeking to destroy Freedom Convoy leader, taking Big Red from Chris Barber

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From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

The Crown claimed that ‘Big Red’ is an ‘offence-related property’ relating to Chris Barber’s involvement in the 2022 protests against Canada’s COVID mandates.

The Canadian government is still going after Freedom Convoy leader Chris Barber, this time hoping to seize his very livelihood.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) has reported that it represented Barber during a November 26 hearing about the Crown’s attempt to take “Big Red,” Barber’s semi-truck. The Crown claimed that the vehicle is an “offence-related property” relating to Barber’s involvement in the 2022 protests against Canada’s COVID mandates.

Barber’s truck, a 2004 Kenworth long-haul, which he uses for business, was a focal point in the 2022 protests. He drove it to Ottawa, where it was parked for an extended period of time, but he complied when officials asked him to move it. 

Barber’s lawyer, Diane Magas, said the Crown’s attempt to take away Barber’s livelihood is “not” in the spirit of laws in place regarding forfeiture.

“The impact of the forfeiture of ‘Big Red’, which is an essential part of the operation of Mr. Barber’s trucking business and is relied upon by Mr. Barber, his family, as well as employees, is not what Parliament had in mind when enacting those forfeiture provisions,” she said as per a JCCF press release.

“Especially considering the context of a political protest where the police told Mr. Barber where to park the truck and when Mr. Barber moved the truck after being asked to move it.”

The Freedom Convoy leader has talked about his truck, saying that, “Big Red is how I put food on the table.”

“I followed every instruction police gave me during the protest, and I never imagined the government would try to take the very truck I rely on to earn a living,” Barber continued.

ruling regarding the Crown’s wish to seize Barber’s truck is expected to appear on December 19; however, the court case could drag into the new year.

On October 7, 2025, after a long trial, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced Tamara Lich and Barber to 18 months’ house arrest. They had been declared guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the 2022 protest against COVID mandates, and as social media influencers.  

Lich and Barber have filed appeals of their own against their house arrest sentences, arguing that the trial judge did not correctly apply the law on their mischief charges.

Government lawyers for the Crown have filed an appeal of the acquittals of Lich and Barber on intimidation charges.

Lich and Barber were declared guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the protest against COVID mandates in April 2022, and as social media influencers. The conviction came after a nearly two-year trial despite the non-violent nature of the popular movement.

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COVID-19

Crown seeks to punish peaceful protestor Chris Barber by confiscating his family work truck “Big Red”

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Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that the Ontario Court of Justice will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 26 at 161 Elgin Street, Ottawa, regarding the Crown’s attempt to permanently seize “Big Red,” the 2004 Kenworth long-haul truck relied upon by peaceful Freedom Convoy protestor Chris Barber and his family trucking business.

Constitutional lawyer Diane Magas, who represents Mr. Barber, is opposing the forfeiture.

“The impact of the forfeiture of ‘Big Red’, which is an essential part of the operation of Mr. Barber’s trucking business and is relied upon by Mr. Barber, his family as well as employees, is not what Parliament had in mind when enacting those forfeiture provisions, especially considering the context of a political protest where the police told Mr. Barber where to park the truck and when Mr. Barber moved the truck after being asked to move it,” she said.

Mr. Barber, a Saskatchewan trucker and central figure in the peaceful 2022 Freedom Convoy, depends on this vehicle for his livelihood. The Crown alleges that his truck constitutes “offence-related property.”

The November 26 hearing will address the Crown’s application to seize the truck and will include evidence regarding ownership and corporate title. The Court will also consider an application filed earlier this year by Mr. Barber’s family, who are asserting their rights as interested third parties and seeking to prevent the loss of the vehicle.

Mr. Barber was found guilty of mischief and counselling others to breach a court order following the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest, despite his consistent cooperation with law enforcement and reliance on legal advice during the events of early 2022. At sentencing, the Court acknowledged that he “came with the noblest of intent and did not advocate for violence,” emphasizing that Mr. Barber encouraged calm and compliance.

Mr. Barber said, “‘Big Red’ is how I put food on the table. I followed every instruction police gave me during the protest, and I never imagined the government would try to take the very truck I rely on to earn a living.”

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