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Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming was joined by the Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay to announce funding from
the Government of Canada to support Royal Canadian Legion branches in North Bay, Callander, Mattawa, Cobalt, Haileybury, Latchford.
“Right across the country, Legion branches are some of our most important partners in supporting our Veterans and their families. MP Rota and I both know how difficult the past year has been for a lot of the Legion’s branches — including the ones in Nipissing–Timiskaming, so I’m very glad we’re able to provide some much-needed funding to help them weather the pandemic,” said MacAulay.
Through the Veterans Organization Emergency Support Fund, Branch 599 in West Ferris, Branch 445 in Callander, Branch 254 in Mattawa, Branch 54 in Haileybury, Branch 629 in Latchford, and Branch 44 in Cobalt will each receive $4,310.72 to assist with their operational costs and ensure they can continue providing important supports to Veterans and their families.
Marc Picard, President of the Callander Legion Branch 445 shared, "Although our expenses were slightly reduced, our income was reduced very significantly. Our usual sources of revenue and fundraising have not been available. The Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund grant has addressed core funding shortfalls for a portion of operating expenses and has allowed our Branch to continue to operate and support our Veterans and their families, albeit, remotely."
The Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund is part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to protect jobs, provide emergency support and keep businesses afloat through the pandemic. These organizations play a critical role in the well-being of Veterans, their families, and the community.
Through three rounds of VOESF funding, Legion Branches in Nipissing-Timiskaming have benefitted from $87,589.47 in total.
Picard noted the funding has also "allowed our Branch to support food bank activities in our area. The funds guaranteed that we were able to continue paying our fixed expenses, such as insurance, utilities and telephone/internet and ensured that we maintained contact with our members and their families during these difficult times."
In November 2020, the Government of Canada provided $14 million to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command to allow for the rapid distribution of financial aid to individual branches across the country. Dominion Command was responsible for determining which branches would receive funding.
Organizations receiving these funds will have access to the support they need to replace charitable and other revenue lost because of the pandemic and will be able to continue their work with Veterans and their families during a time when it is needed most.
“Legion Branches in Nipissing–Timiskaming are getting much-needed support. Our Legion members have done so much for all of us. It is important that we are there for them. The past several months have been extremely difficult for many Canadians, Veterans included. Our Legions give support and supply services to our Veterans, and helping these branches continue to operate is but a small part of our recognition of their service," said Rota."
Picard summed up with, "Without this support from our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Anthony Rota, and the Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund, we would have been in dire financial trouble."
