North Bay has warm welcome for veterans and legion members as convention continues
Their medals were gleaming in the sunshine as veterans and legion members proudly sang 'O Canada' standing at the base of the Memorial Park Cenotaph in downtown North Bay Sunday morning.
The Royal Canadian Legion's 52nd biennial covention of the Ontario Provincial Command is continuing this weekend.
North Bay Legion Convention
Legion members and delegates laid wreaths at the cenotaph before taking to the streets to march to the North Bay Museum with a crowd of supporters.
"I have been a part of many conventions. This is my first one in North Bay and I have to tell you, it's been a great time," said Royal Canadian Legion Branch #281 Beaver Valley President Shawn McKinlay. "You guys have certainly rolled out the red carpet."
North Bay Legion Convention500 delegates from nearly 400 legions from all across Ontario and other Canadian guests began arriving Friday and they say they've been welcomed with open arms from the community.
"We're here to let people know the legion is still here and what it represents," said Fern Taillefer, First Vice-President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #147 in Barrie. "I've met quite a few friends this morning already that I haven't seen in years. That's what it's all about."
Convention business began Sunday afternoon at Nipissing University. There's a lot to do. One item on the agenda is laying out new legion policies and procedures.
"Then we'll get on with our election of new senior executive officers for Ontario Command for the next three years," explained the legion's Ontario Command Provincial President Garry Pond.
North Bay last hosted the convention in June of 1965. On Friday, the Royal Canadian Legion's flag was raised at city hall to kick off proceedings and to welcome the delegates into the city.
"We're so proud to host this," said convention organizer Marc Picard. "We had a social gathering Friday as everyone started to register and attend."
North Bay Legion ConventionRecently, the legion passed a milestone by helping just over 1,000 homeless veterans with financial support and connecting them to community services for long term solutions. Legion members say there's still work to do to help veterans suffering from PTSD.
"There's all new medical practices and therapies," explained the legion's Dominion Command First Vice-President Owen Parkhouse. "We've now put a new focus on families because families are affected by what veterans have gone through."
The convention ends on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.