To:
Shane Martin
Garrett Bentley
Jeff ButtVicky Taylor-Hood
Renae Witzaney
Linda McFeetersGabe Festing
Board Members of the CPU,
This letter was not easy to write, but here we go.
It’s with immense sorrow and a heavy heart that I annonce that I will not be renewing my membership with the Canadian Powerlifting Union this November when my suspension ends.
This decision comes from my deep commitment to fairness and integrity in women's sports. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support a federation where, currently, three men—potentially more—are competing in local competitions, taking away opportunities and medals from deserving female athletes. I am also concerned about a federation that penalizes female athletes for speaking up and that lacks transparency about whether women are competing against men.
I believe the Canadian Powerlifting Union has, unfortunately, lost sight of fairness, integrity, and safety in its decision-making. There has been a lack of accountability from key board members, including Shane Martin, Garrett Bentley, Jeff Butt, Vicky Taylor-Hood, Renae Witzaney, Linda McFeeters, and Gabe Festing. I sincerely hope that they will one day recognize the importance of preserving the values of our sport.
Despite these challenges, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have represented Team Canada. This experience has amplified my voice in advocating for fairness in women's sports. I am especially thankful to Coach Linda Blade of the ICFS, my dear friend and a true champion who has supported me every step of the way. My gratitude also extends to Marshi Smith from ICONS, Riley Gaines, and the brave powerlifters within the CPU who stood up and fought alongside me. You are all heroes in my heart and in the hearts of every little girl who dreams of fair competition in sport.
I am proud to have been a part of a movement that led to changes in the Canadian Powerlifting Union's policies, offering some level of protection for women at both national and international levels. However, the work is far from complete. The current policies are still not perfect and continue to allow men to compete at grassroots competitions. I was suspended for calling a man a man, for speaking the truth, and for that, I faced consequences. But it was worth it. I would do it all over again without hesitation because using our voices is how we drive change in this world.
While I will be moving on to new endeavors, my dedication to advocating for fairness in women's sports remains unwavering. I will always be here to support any teams or female athletes who need assistance—please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Keep supporting, keep fighting and let your voices be heard.
Together, we can protect women's sports ensure they remain fair and competitive.
With love and gratitude,
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