The efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces in long-term care facilities in Quebec during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic are the subject of a new short film promoting the Quebec Command Poppy Fund. The film, made by Cat Around Films, centres on Montreal city councillor Sterling Downey, who is also a member of Verdun Branch. He describes what the poppy means to him as he walks about the Last Post Fund National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, Que. He is also seen looking over photos from his father’s service in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Downey makes the point that veterans are not just those who served in the two world wars but all those who are serving or have served. He draws particular attention to the reservists who help out in times of floods or ice...

The federal government  has announced $20 million in special funding to support veterans’ organizations that are suffering because of the pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay made the announcement in Ottawa on Nov. 10. The Royal Canadian Legion receives $14 million of the funding to help its branches. The rest of the money is to be divided between the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada, True Patriot Love, VETS Canada and other groups who apply directly to Veterans Affairs Canada. “This is what we have been waiting for to help our branches with their operational costs and longer-term survival during the pandemic,” said Dominion President Tom Irvine. “We have already lost over 20 branches during the pandemic, and we hope this...