Re: Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles

by **Spider** Thu 02 Apr 2020, 7:40 am

Royal Canadian Legion branches adapt to support veterans during pandemic

Shawn Jeffords
The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, April 2, 2020

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/royal-canadian-legion-branches-adapt-to-support-veterans-during-pandemic-1.4878816

by Magnum Wed 08 Apr 2020, 9:33 pm

Legions begin fundraising to save branches as financial challenges mount

Shawn Jeffords
The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, April 8, 2020

TORONTO -- A number of Royal Canadian Legion branches across the country have launched online fundraising efforts to keep their doors open after suffering financial setbacks because of COVID-19.

The head of the national veterans' and community service group said this week that despite ongoing work to help veterans and seniors in their communities during the pandemic, many branches are now turning to fundraising to pay the bills and ensure they can re-open when the crisis ends.

Dominion President Tom Irvine said branches act as independent small businesses from the national command, but that oversight body has taken a series of actions, including easing fundraising restrictions and releasing $3 million to give struggling branches some cash flow.

But with over 1,300 branches spread across the country, that might not be enough to save every one.

"Our branches are out there still serving their communities," Irvine said. "They're delivering food, groceries, making food, but they're still closed. They are hurting because the revenue is not coming in."

Legion branches operate under strict rules concerning how they can spend the money they raise. Cash raised each year from the Poppy Fund must be spent locally on veterans.

Branches fund their operations by renting their halls and running bars and restaurants. But with those operations closed because of the pandemic, paying the bills has quickly become a problem that could result in branches closing, Irvine said.

Last week, the legion executive waived local fundraising restrictions and gave branches permission to set up online fundraising efforts on sites such as GoFundMe.

"This is a way for the branches to raise funds locally to help them offset what they're going through," Irvine said. "This is just another tool to help them raise money."

A series of online campaigns have started to spring up, with branches asking for anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 to keep their operations solvent.

The president of a branch in Salmon Arm, B.C., said they have no option but to ask the community for help. The sudden onset of the pandemic closures meant his branch, like many, had no time to prepare financially.

"I just don't want to come out on the other end of this thing and find we can't get started again," Matt Fowler said.

Fowler said the branch is also making calls locally and hoping a series of small donations from community members will help them stay afloat.

"I felt bad asking at all. I know people are having a tough time getting food for themselves and paying their bills, but this isn't a normal thing. We can't lose this place," he said.

Irvine reiterated that even in the face of financial challenges, branches continue to serve their communities.

"I'm praying that when this is all over, that the Canadian public will see that the legion was out there throughout the entire time. ... Maybe they might want to come in and help us continue down the line."

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/legions-begin-fundraising-to-save-branches-as-financial-challenges-mount-1.4887682

by **Apollo** Fri 10 Apr 2020, 1:49 pm

COVID-19 puts financial strain on Royal Canadian Legions

Published Thursday, April 9, 2020

Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles - Page 18 Image

Photos of royalty hang on the walls at The Royal Canadian Legion, St James Branch No. 4 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Thursday, November 8, 2018

SASKATOON -- The COVID-19 pandemic is hurting the financial situations of several Royal Canadian Legion branches across the country.

“We’re in uncharted waters,” said Roberta Alton, affiliate member on the executive board of Legion Branch 63 in Saskatoon.

Strict guidelines mean a branch’s only source of income to pay the bills are from hall rentals, fundraising and running a restaurant and bar, and the pandemic has meant those funds are no longer coming in.

“We always hold a steak night in April and a huge garage sale in May, both of which have to be postponed indefinitely,” she said.

“We’re definitely concerned about those loss of funds that are critical to keeping the doors open at the Legion, allowing us to continue our mandate to take care of veterans.”

Money raised in the Legion’s poppy campaign every November goes directly to the support of veterans and can’t be used on operation fees.

Alton said the Legion is looking at government grants, as well as evolving in the way they do business.

“We’re looking at setting up e-transfers, so for people who want to make direct donations to the Legion can do that, that’s not something that we’ve offered before,” she said.

“Trying to come up with some innovative ways to fundraise to keep our doors open, so we can continue doing those things for our veterans.”

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-puts-financial-strain-on-royal-canadian-legions-1.4890727

by **Spider** Fri 22 May 2020, 8:10 am

Canadian Legion in Kamloops, B.C., honours Snowbird crash victim with memorial ceremony

Courtney Dickson · CBC News · Posted: May 21, 2020

Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles - Page 18 Daniel-martin

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kamloops-legion-memorial-ceremony-capt-jenn-casey-1.5579687

by Lionfield Fri 29 May 2020, 5:07 pm

Legion joins chorus of anger over conditions in long-term care

Calls for improvements largely ignored by governments for years

May 29, 2020

OTTAWA, May 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Royal Canadian Legion is demanding better and humane treatment for Veterans and Seniors in all long-term care centres in Canada. This comes after a damning report about conditions in some Ontario centres, as observed by the military’s Joint Task Force (central). The Legion sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau this week, asking for immediate action not just in Ontario but across the country.

“Many of our Veterans are in long-term care, and to know that some of them are being mistreated and ignored is shameful,” says Thomas D. Irvine, Dominion President. “The fact that our governments have known for a long time that some of our most vulnerable citizens are living in deplorable conditions during their final years of life, is disgraceful. We need a systemic overhaul – and now.”

Previous governments have failed to address this ongoing issue adequately and Canada now finds itself in a deadly quagmire. It took a pandemic to truly expose this multi-faceted crisis. The Legion’s letter, which was copied to all provincial and territorial leaders, follows its strongly worded statement released in the wake of the military’s exposé:

The Royal Canadian Legion vehemently condemns the life-endangering and unethical actions in long- term care facilities in Ontario as reported through military Joint Task Force (central) observations. These homes are failing our most vulnerable citizens. We demand that today’s acknowledgement by the Prime Minister and Premier of Ontario of this “disturbing” and “gut-wrenching” reality be followed by immediate actions to provide safe and humane care for our Veterans and Seniors – in Ontario and across the country. – The Royal Canadian Legion, May 26, 2020

The Legion has long been asking for an improvement in access to long-term care beds for Veterans, and for better conditions in care centres. There has been limited success when it comes to provision of beds, and some care centres may be doing well, but the overall living conditions for Veterans and Seniors in Canada are woefully inadequate.

Through the Legion’s Ontario Command, evidence and opinions have been shared for over 20 years – with Prime Ministers, Ministers of Health, Premiers, local leaders, local Health Units and others. Letters to government leaders were written and ignored. Stories about problems with feeding, health care, cleanliness, unchanged undergarments and more, were provided. Outside groups have shared similar stories, and bountiful research about how to improve conditions, exists.

“We have been shouting from the rooftops for many years,” says Dave Gordon, Chair, Veterans Services and Seniors Committee at Ontario Command. “In most cases if not all, many staff members at long-term care facilities are underpaid for the work they do.”

In an effort to help, the Legion’s Ontario Command itself has made millions of dollars in financial donations to Ontario long-term care homes over many years. Other Legion Commands and Branches have made contributions in many parts of the country as well.

“The time to act and end this intolerable situation, is now,” says Irvine. “After what they have done to help build the foundation of the society we enjoy, our Veterans and our Seniors deserve much better in their later years.”

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/05/29/2041060/0/en/Legion-joins-chorus-of-anger-over-conditions-in-long-term-care.html

by Rifleman Fri 29 May 2020, 6:21 pm

This has been a fracking problem for years the federal government does not give a rats ass about veterans and seniors well being it has been evident for years reports after reports nothing has been done we live in one sad country right now led bye one of the worst government I’ve witnessed in years they just don’t care SAD SAD SAD!! My heart goes out to all veterans and seniors who have to live in these catastrophic conditions WAKE THE FRACK UP TRUDEAU AND ALL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS JUST AND DO MORE ASAP!!!

by **Forcell** Tue 09 Jun 2020, 9:07 am

Manitoba Canadian Legion branches struggling after pandemic

Published Monday, June 8, 2020

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-canadian-legion-branches-struggling-after-pandemic-1.4975222

by Phrampton Sat 20 Jun 2020, 9:10 am

Most respected turn to desperate measures: Legion collects bottles for bills

Published Thursday, June 18, 2020

https://london.ctvnews.ca/most-respected-turn-to-desperate-measures-legion-collects-bottles-for-bills-1.4989829

by **RunningLight** Tue 23 Jun 2020, 1:44 pm

06.23.2020

by **Rockarm** Fri 03 Jul 2020, 8:36 pm

07.03.2020

by Jackal Tue 21 Jul 2020, 8:33 pm

Royal Canadian Legion reopening to beat tough times caused by COVID-19

Published on: July 20, 2020

Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles - Page 18 Ki.the-royal-canadian-legion-branch-92-in-gananoque-will-be-1-1

https://www.gananoquereporter.com/news/local-news/royal-canadian-legion-reopening-to-beat-tough-times-caused-by-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR1eiaKt0Kpq5Wrf2f5fzHTnif7azZl2imOFWWEwKfj77b8rsuf63QOgPJs

by Maverick Tue 11 Aug 2020, 1:01 pm

Legion branches facing closure despite provincial aid, commander warns

CBC News · Posted: Aug 11, 2020

Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles - Page 18 Joel-vansnick-district-g-commander-royal-canadian-legion

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/legions-closure-covid19-1.5678269?fbclid=IwAR1BJvK0aezyB71w0lskTvw81fz2bYK10NVFTF1-4VAokLz9MrjPlYKGNx0

by JAFO Tue 11 Aug 2020, 2:07 pm

So let me get this straight the Royal Canadian Legion is worried about doors closing due to Covid and need money to keep their social drinking clubs open

BUT

The Royal Canadian Legion hasn't said a damn word about a backlog of 50,000 applications being ignored?!?!

Yeah give them the money because losing beer halls is more devastating then homeless, penniless, injured veterans waiting to live a dignified life in the damn country they volunteered to protect!

SHAME ON THE LEGION

by **Spider** Wed 16 Sep 2020, 8:20 am

'My honour has been shredded': 94-year-old Vancouver vet fights legion expulsion

Eric Rankin · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2020

Royal Canadian Legion - Topics & Posted Articles - Page 18 Ralph-jackson-94-spent-decades-in-the-royal-canadian-legion-before-being-expelled-in-2018

Ralph Jackson, 94, spent decades in the Royal Canadian Legion before being expelled in 2018. He says he's still trying to find out why. (Eric Rankin/CBC)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-vet-fights-legion-expulsion-1.5724096?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwAR1tnUo8lsO3QHRZAf1S4dxdpP1tpDj81AyDMhPjsP3_Z0XSgEO4YlaX-7M

by **Spider** Wed 16 Sep 2020, 8:54 am

War veteran, 94, fights to clear his name / Sep 16, 2020

War veteran Ralph Jackson, 94, was expelled from the Vancouver branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was accused of theft and misappropriation of funds, but says he never got a chance to defend himself.

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