Pandemic complicates poppy campaign for 2nd straight year

With less than a week before Remembrance Day, the poppy campaign in Ottawa has picked up speed but the pandemic is still complicating the process.

The Royal Canadian Legion inOrlansiscarrying out itspoppy distribution and donation collection with a drive-thruservice for the second year in a row.

"Last year, we had more places to distribute poppies," said Joyce Bisson, a public relations officer with the branch.

The drive-thru strategy is attractingfewer donors than other campaign strategies pre-pandemic, she said. Thus, the legion has adjusted its campaign goals and hopes to raise $75,000 this year.

Bisson said the legion had the same target last yearbut ended up surpassing that goal, raising$120,000. They're hoping for asimilar late-campaign surgethis time around.

John Cooke, 83, said he makes a point of volunteering his time every year.

"There is nothing that will stop me from coming," he told Radio-Canada.

Flags raised, then returned to half mast

As the poppy campaign unfolds, so does discussion aboutwhether the federal government should raise its flags before Remembrance Day. Until Sunday, flags on federal buildings across the country hadbeen flown at half-mast since May 30, in response to the discovery of unmarked graves near former residential school sites.

The federal governmentannounced late last week that it would raise the flagson Parliament Hill at sunset Sunday,before lowering them for Indigenous Veterans Day on Monday.They will then be raised again before being lowered on Nov. 11 Remembrance Day. After those ceremonies, the flag will fly at full mast on government buildings.

At least somefundraiserorganizers supported the announcement.

"What happened with the school I do not want to diminish that," Stephanie Guy, president of the Legion's Barrhaven branch told Radio-Canada. "It is important to remember that our soldiers, our veterans, have suffered."

The Remembrance Poppycelebrates its 100th anniversary this year. All funds raised through the campaign supportservices for veterans.