Reality of war very real for Timmins, Ont., family whose daughter is fighting for Ukraine
Dozens of people gathered at the cenotaphs in South Porcupine and Timmins on Monday for Remembrance Day ceremonies in honour of those who’ve fought in major wars and those who’ve picked up where they’ve left off.
Among those at the ceremony were the parents of a woman who is volunteering on the front lines with the Ukrainian army.
Colleen Ludgate and her husband Paul Cousineau attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Timmins. Their daughter, Brittany Shki-Giizis, is a member of the Canadian military on a temporary sabbatical to fight with the Ukrainians against Russia. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Colleen Ludgate and Paul Cousineau of Timmins said their daughter, Brittney Shki-Giizis, has taken a temporary sabbatical from the Canadian military to help Ukraine.
She’s been there since March.
“It's very hard," Ludgate said.
"You know, every morning she says, 'OK, you know, I have to go to war today,' and we just wait until she finally says, 'OK, I made it back safe today' and we can sleep tonight. But we're very proud."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Ludgate said her daughter fell in love with Eastern European culture when she was in Poland about a year ago to help Ukrainians train on the tanks Canada provided for their war effort.
"She felt it was really necessary for her to go out and do her duty," Ludgate said, "so that when she comes back, she can tell her troops that I understand what you're going through, not just tell them, get out there and sacrifice your life."
Ludgate said Shki-Giizis is a 31-year-old gunner in the Ukrainian Army, helping on the front line. Her daughter could be there for up to five years.
"It makes it really, really real when you think about all the others who have served and what they went through, what their families went through and you can understand and it really strikes you right in the heart."
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Heavy snow, freezing rain warnings hit parts of Canada, expected to last throughout Monday
Significant snowfall and heavy rain hit parts of Canada on Sunday and the weather system is expected to continue into Monday morning and throughout the day.
BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
Government faces third Tory non-confidence vote ahead of potential fiscal hurdle
The Liberals are set to face a third Conservative non-confidence vote today, but the government is likely to survive with the support of the NDP.
U.S. should be concerned about illegal immigration from Canada: Canadian survey
More than 80 per cent of Canadians believe the flow of illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S. is a concern, according to a new survey.
Jay-Z denies allegations he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old in 2000 with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Taylor Swift ends record-smashing Eras Tour in Vancouver, after glittering global run
Taylor Swift took the stage for the final time on her record-smashing Eras Tour, watched by tens of thousands of delirious fans in Vancouver's BC Place arena and by millions on livestreams around the world.
Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom
Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad. Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future.
Barrie
-
Freezing rain warning in effect for Barrie, surrounding areas
After all the snowfall that hit Muskoka and Simcoe County over the last week, Barrie and many other parts of the region are under a freezing rain warning as of Sunday evening.
-
City tells residents 'Can't flush this'
Barrie's water treatment staff warn residents of dire consequences when 'unflushables' hit the drains.
-
Pair of sleeping drivers charged in drug bust
Two drivers are facing charges after they were allegedly found sleeping in their respective vehicles and possessing a quantity drugs Saturday afternoon in Waubaushene.
Toronto
-
Toronto police investigate deadly shooting in North York
Toronto police say they are investigating the death of a male found with gunshot wounds in a driveway in North York early Monday morning.
-
GTA sees freezing rain, icy conditions during morning rush hour
Parts of the GTA remain under a freezing rain warning this morning as Environment Canada warns of slippery driving conditions today.
-
Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up
Inside Ontario's legislature, the halls are decked, the sounds of children’s choirs singing Christmas carols waft down the corridors, and in the air there’s a feeling of an election.
Ottawa
-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENTSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Up to 5 cm of snow, freezing rain expected in Ottawa
Another blast of winter weather is set to hit Ottawa this week, with 2 to 4 centimetres of snow in the forecast for today and the risk of freezing rain or drizzle tonight and on Tuesday. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, warning freezing rain and freezing drizzle are possible.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE Federal transport minister to make safety announcement in Kanata this morning
Transport Minister Anita Anand will make an announcement in Kanata on Monday morning.
-
Number of speeding tickets dropping at Ottawa's busiest photo radar camera
King Edward Avenue continues to be the hot spot for speeders on Ottawa roads this year, but the number of tickets issued by the new photo radar camera continues to decline as drivers adjust their speeds on the Lowertown road.
Kitchener
-
Four-vehicle, fatal crash on Sunday
A 53-year-old from Toronto was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another driver was airlifted to a trauma centre. Two passengers were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two other drivers were not injured.
-
Two 16-year-olds charged with Brantford stabbing
Two Brantford teens are accused of a stabbing that sent the victim to hospital with serious injuries.
-
Wet week ahead with rain and snow in southern Ontario's forecast
You’ll want to bundle up and bring along an umbrella when heading out the door this week.
London
-
Four-vehicle, fatal crash on Sunday
A 53-year-old from Toronto was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another driver was airlifted to a trauma centre. Two passengers were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two other drivers were not injured.
-
A change in precipitation to start the week, more snow on the way
The London area will get a bit of a break from the snow to start the week, but it's been replaced with rain. Temperatures will remain above zero with periods of rain continuing throughout the day on Monday with a chance for sunshine on Tuesday.
-
Roof of historic hotel collapses in Bayfield
A week’s worth of heavy snow coupled with rain overnight in Bayfield proved too much for the roof of the historic Albion Hotel.
Windsor
-
What’s lowering Detroit River water levels?
If you’ve noticed the current along the Detroit River sitting lower than usual, you’re not alone.
-
'They’re going through hell': TLC Foundation treats children with cancer to free shopping spree
The TLC Foundation invited over 200 children from southwestern Ontario to Toys R Us in London, Ont. for a free shopping spree.
-
Spits erase deficit to beat Saginaw
lya Protas and A.J. Spellacy each scored twice as the Windsor Spitfires erased a 3-1 first-period deficit to defeat the visiting Saginaw Spirit 7-4. Protas also chipped in with two assists and Spellacy had one helper in the OHL game.
Montreal
-
This Ontario family's car was stolen in Montreal with their dog still in it
An Ontario family's car was stolen with their dog still in it. The car was found, but their furry friend is missing.
-
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
-
Quebec reaches agreement in principle with home daycare workers, ending strikes
Quebec has reached an agreement with child-care workers who have been on strike for weeks.
Winnipeg
-
Road and school closures in place in Southern Manitoba due to snowy conditions
The winter wallop in southern Manitoba has prompted a number of highways and schools in Manitoba to be closed, and is resulting in several buses not running on Monday.
-
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
-
Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba.
Atlantic
-
Police in N.B. arrest man following drug trafficking investigation
Police have arrested a 52-year-old man from Saint-Maure, N.B., following a drug trafficking investigation in Campbellton, N.B.
-
Federal Government announces more than $1 billion to meet New Brunswick’s electrical needs
Natural Resources Canada announced it will spend more than $1 billion for the province of New Brunswick to meet growing electricity demands in a news release Sunday.
-
Dalhousie University study applies artificial intelligence to sustainable dairy farming
A researcher at Dalhousie University in Halifax is applying modern technology to ancient practice to identify trends in methane emissions from Canadian dairy farms.
N.L.
-
Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
-
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
-
'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence
New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse.
Calgary
-
Man dead after incident at workplace in northeast Calgary
Occupational Health and Safety and the Calgary Police Service are investigating how a man died on Sunday night.
-
Some Olympic Plaza bricks can be saved, city now says
In a surprise move, the City of Calgary said Monday that there's a possibility that some of the thousands of commemorative bricks that make up Olympic Plaza can be recovered.
-
Suspects sought following Calgary home invasion
Calgary police are looking for suspects after a home was broken into over the weekend.
Edmonton
-
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
-
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
-
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Regina
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
-
Several Sask. highways closed, travel not recommended on others following weekend storm
Several highways are closed across southern Saskatchewan Monday morning, including parts of Highway 1, after a weekend with freezing rain and winter storm warnings across the province.
-
Creativity for a cause: Lego showcase raises funds for White City library
The White City Community Centre held a showcase over the weekend – featuring brilliant and detailed creations from Saskatchewan's finest masters of building with Lego.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon honours Bella Brave with birthday celebration
It has been five months since Bella Thompson, widely known as Bella Brave to her millions of TikTok followers, passed away after a long battle with Hirschsprung’s disease and an auto-immune disorder.
-
No injuries following kitchen fire in Saskatoon
Saskatoon fire crews responded to a kitchen fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Sunday afternoon.
-
BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week.
Vancouver
-
Some cancer patients may forgo care due to high treatment-related costs: report
Since Natalie Lipschultz was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2019, she estimates the illness has cost her more than $20,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.
-
Young Swiftie scores seat at sold-out Eras Tour after holding up sign outside BC Place
Thirteen-year-old Sidney Ha was among the throngs of Swifties without a ticket to the Eras Tour in Vancouver who gathered outside of a fenced-off BC Place Saturday night – but thanks to one stranger’s act of kindness, she ended up inside the stadium singing along.
-
Taylor Swift ends record-smashing Eras Tour in Vancouver, after glittering global run
Taylor Swift took the stage for the final time on her record-smashing Eras Tour, watched by tens of thousands of delirious fans in Vancouver's BC Place arena and by millions on livestreams around the world.
Vancouver Island
-
Young Swiftie scores seat at sold-out Eras Tour after holding up sign outside BC Place
Thirteen-year-old Sidney Ha was among the throngs of Swifties without a ticket to the Eras Tour in Vancouver who gathered outside of a fenced-off BC Place Saturday night – but thanks to one stranger’s act of kindness, she ended up inside the stadium singing along.
-
B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency'
The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party.
-
Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled
A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour.
