Thank you canmore
As a 65-year-old grandmother on a mission, I’m walking across Canada not just to talk, but to take action. My journey is about uniting Canadians to address the critical issues we face today, particularly poverty and homelessness, which have reached epidemic levels. Entire families are finding themselves without a place to live, and if we don’t come together to find solutions, this crisis will only worsen. We need to have a serious conversation about how to end and prevent homelessness because if this agenda continues unchecked, everyone stands to lose their homes in the long term.
To tackle these issues, I’m introducing the concept of Peace Tables. This process is designed to bring two opposing views together and create agreements without compromise. The key to success is that everyone involved must be willing to acknowledge where they might be wrong. I’m sharing five different books in PDF format to help kickstart these crucial conversations and debates.
Recently, I completed my walk through British Columbia and took a short break after reaching Castle Mountain in Alberta. Now, I’m back on the road, determined to finish Alberta and, if possible, Saskatchewan before winter sets in. As someone who is currently homeless, this mission is deeply personal to me. I know firsthand the challenges that come with not having a place to call home, and I am passionate about finding and discussing real, actionable solutions to end this crisis.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the town of Canmore. I faced a significant challenge when my bike tire—an unusual size—needed replacing. No store had it in stock, but thanks to the incredible community spirit here, I was able to connect with Jeremy at Community Cruisers, who found the perfect tire for me. I’m especially thankful to the group that helped me find Jeremy, and to every resident who suggested I look in Canmore.
Thank You Rebound Cycle, you guys are the greatest able to fix the spokes off my other tire and brain stormed ways to make the smaller tire work. Thank you so much guys you are the greatest.
While no store had the exact tire I needed, every bike repair shop and rental service in town went out of their way to brainstorm ideas and find solutions. Their kindness and willingness to help were truly heartwarming, and I want to thank them all.
A special thank you goes to Frank and Amanda at Mawiti Campground. They are the true heart of Canmore, and their support—from providing the wrench I needed to change the tire to offering their unwavering encouragement—made all the difference in my journey. Frank and Amanda, you are the pride of Canmore, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done.
There’s also something deeply meaningful I need to share with the town of Canmore. My broken tire led me to an encounter that I believe was no coincidence. Because of that tire, I met a family who had tragically lost their son, Jayden, to bullying. If it weren’t for that tire breakdown, our paths might never have crossed, and I would never have known Jayden’s story. As I struggled to fix the tire, I felt an energy with me—an energy I believe was the spirit of a young child who took his life because of bullying. I carried that energy with me through every step of solving this tire issue, and I know that Jayden’s story has been with me every second.
Canmore, you not only helped me fix that tire, but you also played a part in carrying Jayden’s story forward. In honor of #JaydenStory, I am even more committed to sharing the Peace Table process with others and fostering the conversations that can lead to real change.
Thank you, Canmore, for being part of this journey. Your kindness and support have not only helped me continue my mission but have also strengthened my belief that together, we can find solutions to the challenges we face. Let’s keep the conversation going, because our children’s future depends on it.
With deep gratitude,
Judy Lapointe
