Legions in urgent need of support

By Janet Kanters, Editor

After speaking with several Royal Canadian Legions last week, Bow River Member of Parliament Martin Shields said legions within the riding, and across Canada, are in dire need of support.

On Oct. 27, Shields met virtually with Shadow Minister of Veteran Affairs John Brassard and Royal Canadian Legion branch presidents located within the Bow River riding. Shields and Brassard received feedback on how legion branches have been impacted by the pandemic lockdown, and discussed federal government relief measures targeted to legions.

“The consensus was that the situation for legion branches in our riding is dire,” said Shields. “Many are barely breaking even and struggling to make it through the year without shutting down. Without traditional sources of revenue like poppy sales, Remembrance Day gatherings and the ability to rent their facilities, legions are in serious trouble.”

Shields added that the $20 million allocated to the Royal Canadian Legion by the federal government needs to be distributed immediately, “without the delay we have seen so often from this government.

I would encourage everyone to buy a poppy and donate to their local legion if they can. Without our support, we may not have these pillars of our community going forward,” he noted.