Today, the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming was joined by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence to announce funding from the Government of Canada to support Royal Canadian Legion branches in Callander, Cobalt, Haileybury, Latchford, Mattawa and North Bay.
Through the Veterans Organization Emergency Support Fund, Branch 54 in Haileybury, Branch 445 in Callander, Branch 599 in West Ferris, Branch 629 in Latchford, Branch 44 in Cobalt and Branch 254 in Mattawa will each receive $4,310.762 to assist with their operational costs and ensure they can continue providing important supports to Veterans and their families.
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.
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.
Quotes
“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.”
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
“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 has 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.”
The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming
“The Legion Branch 44 has been instrumental in the growth of Cobalt from an early stage. We have helped veterans as well as the people in our community with money raising projects as well as student bursaries. The funding we are being provided with from VOESF is greatly appreciated after a very trying year. This will help our branch immensely. Thank You.”
Peter Sutherland, President of Legion Branch 44 in Cobalt.
"In a small town like Latchford the Legion Branch is much more than a support organization for our Veterans, a role we take very seriously, but also a social centre for the community and especially the seniors. It is funding that is provided by the Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund (VOESF) that allows us to continue to play a vital role in Latchford and the members of Sgt. Aubrey Cosens VC are most appreciative and grateful for this gesture. Thank you."
George Lefebvre, Representative of Legion Branch 629 in Latchford.
“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 money 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. 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.”
Marc Picard President of the Callander Legion Branch 445
“Our Veterans and members have been very worried about the Legion and how we would be paying our bills. During COVID, we lost so many engagements that had been booked. Our community as a whole have really stepped up and recognized the importance of our premises and we have been receiving donations to help us survive. During this time, we had a huge leak in our roof that we have temporarily repaired but we need to work on it in the spring and we didn't have the money. This funding will certainly help us put a new roof and ceilings in the hall. I have a crew of Veterans and members that are anxiously waiting to start that work. They were so happy to hear of our good fortune.”
Diane Gallupe, Representative for Branch 254
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