Remembrance Day poppies now available in Prince George

There's good news for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, as it launches its Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign today.

Federal finance Minister Jim Flaherty is cutting the Royal Canadian Legion a tax break on the Canadian symbol of remembrance.

The veterans' group will get a full GST refund on purchases of poppies and wreaths, Flaherty said Thursday. In B.C., as in Ontario, it's expected the GST portion of the HST will be refunded.

Saying the move will help legions throughout the nation, Flaherty reflected that “poppies and wreaths hold a special status to all Canadians as symbols of the contribution, courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Canadian armed forces."

In Prince George, the legion will distribute .. Read more in The Citizen

As Remembrance Day approaches, the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, has a two-part poppy campaign underway.

Ed Parent, poppy campaign chair, said the first part for sale of wreaths, sprays and crosses for placing at the cenotaph is on until Oct. 22.

"We've had a good response thus far," said Parent, noting the trust fund is used to provide veteran services "from dental work to wheelchairs" as well as support to Hospice House, cancer centre, hospital and care facilities for the elderly and those with disabilities.

Parent said in past years, the sale of wreaths was done mainly "by knocking at doors", but the telephone, manned by volunteers, is working much better.

To order wreaths, crosses or other items like table top poppies, call 250-562-9588. The phones are open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday through Oct. 22.

In keeping with its time-honoured tradition of laying memorial wreaths in respect for the fallen, the Legion offers wreaths and crosses which range in size and cost from $40 to $118.

"They all come with a wire display stand included," Parent said.

The second part of the campaign for the thousands of lapel poppies distributed for donations begins Oct. 29 with a kick-off ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Civic Centre.

"We have 40 volunteers signed up to man the poppy trays in a number of locations in the city and also to do poppy delivery, man telephones and act as youth group monitors," said Parent, adding the cadets will be doing the poppy canvas Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 and 6.