The West Van Legion

Curling Canada has announced the cancellation of six more curling championships events that were planned for the next year due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Curling Canada’s press release on Thursday, the events including the Continental Cup, the New Holland Canadian Junior, the Canadian Under-18 Championships, Under-21 championships, the Canadian Under 15 RockFest, the Wheelchair Championship, and the Collegiate Athletic Association championships, have all been cancelled and won’t be rescheduled to be held later in the season.

The organization said that the decision to cancel those events was made with the aim of ensuring the safety of the participants, fans, volunteers. Other reasons include the travel restrictions and the cost of running the events with the restrictions that are caused by the world health crisis.

The chief executive officer of Curling Canada, Katherine Henderson, said in a statement that they considered all options, but in the end, they had to make the responsible decision for the athletes, for the volunteers, and for the organization, to guarantee the safety of those involved in the events as well as the viability of the sport in the whole country.

The organization added that a significant reason to cancel the Continental Cup was because of the fact that international teams might have not been able to participate.

Championships scheduled in the 2020-2021 season consisting of the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men’s championship in Kelowna, B.C., the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s championship in Thunder Bay, Ont., the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ottawa (remaining on the schedule), the Home Hardware Canada Cup in Fredericton, N.B., and the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship (remaining scheduled to go forward).

Sportsnet has also already trimmed its six-stop Grand Slam of Curling circuit to two events this season due to the deadly virus.

The Ontario government will invest $83 million to support Royal Canadian Legion branches, non-profit organizations when the province reopens after months of shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investment from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will see grants of $150,000 awarded to organizations that are looking to deliver vital programming to their communities amid the world health crisis.

Dubbed the Resilient Communities Fund, eligible non-profit organizations will be supported to navigate the impacts of the pandemic such as strategic planning, organizational training, research and development, mental and physical health resources as well.

The government says the fund will also help non-profit organizations to improve their ability to access and develop new and alternative revenues sources, including seeking public-private partnerships and developing fundraising plans.

Additionally, the fund will allow non-profits to adapt or reimagine the delivery of their programs and services to their communities and to adhere to the province’s public health restrictions. Moreover, according to the government, organizations may be eligible for the procurement of equipment and renovations in order to respond to the challenges caused by the virus.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reports on Wednesday that Legion halls not only lead them in honoring their heroes, but they also do incredible work in their communities, educating their younger people, provide services to veterans and their families, and give back to their communities in so many ways.

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of heritage, sport, tourism, and culture industries was also on hand for the announcement and said the government acknowledges how difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has been for Ontario’s non-profits.

He added that from loss of revenue due to the canceled fundraisers to the disruption of services to community members, they know that the pandemic has made it difficult for the sector to continue operating. That’s the reason why they are taking action to support initiatives like the Resilient Communities Fund making such a positive contribution to communities across Ontario during this hard time.

The Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion Branch #59 is back in business, even though there may not be as many tables available, there may be a whole lot of precautions in place and it may not be quite the same as the old days.

The Legion has recently reopened up after about three months of being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are picking up as more and more of their members return for the friendship and camaraderie.

According to the Legion’s public relations officer Norma Richardson, they have a little bit of construction still going on right now, which limits their space, and with social distancing due to the pandemic, they are down to seven tables of six.

The construction work is being conducted by the new owners of the building to deal with a handful of structural problems, further limiting the seating. However, that hasn’t been much of a problem, particularly if folks can gather after so much time stuck at home.

The good news goes even further since the Legion will restart their popular meat draws on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. The event features patrons buying tickets for a handful of draws for roasts, steaks, and everything in between. To be one of the Legion’s top fundraisers, it is an event that’s near and dear to its heart.

Of course, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a few extra restrictions in place: besides the strict seating, no pool, darts, or shuffleboard can be played, and a strict cleaning regimen will be followed.

But now, just live and let live and enjoy the chance to hang out.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #59 lounge is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m on Monday through Saturday, only closed on Sundays. Veterans’ coffee takes place Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m.

The national brand of university sports in Canada, U Sports, has decided to postpone 6 of its national championships for the 2020 fall season, according to a press release from the league on Monday.

The league came to the conclusions to make the cancellations due to concerns regarding student-athlete health and safety as well as travel and health restrictions that are affecting parts of the country.

Lisette Johnson-Stapley, U Sports chief sport officer said in a press release that U Sports has been working hard with the 4 conferences, their 56 member institutions and medical experts to examine the feasibility of delivering the fall national championships this season. Taking into account the academic realities of U sport, they arrived at a point where a tough decision had to be made.

Sports affected by the postponement include, men and women’s cross country running, women and men’s soccer, women’s field hockey, women’s rugby and football, which includes the Mitchell and Uteck bowls, and the Vanier Cup – the Canadian university football championship game.

The four conferences under U Sports, Canada West, the Atlantic University Sport, and the Ontario University Athletics, have also decided to cancel all of their team sports till Dec. 31, 2020.

Dr. Mike DeGagné, the chair of the OUA board of directors, said in a press release that unprecedented times require unprecedented action, which was what led them to that difficult decision. The health of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is their top priority.

The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), has not postponed any fall 2020 sports, but is expected to make an announcement in the near future.

According to the deputy general director of the RSEQ Stéphane Boudreau, the league wants to use the time they have and see what directives the Quebec governments give before making any decision.

The Moose Jaw branch of the Royal Canadian Legion did their part to remember fallen Canadian Forces Snowbird Capt. Jenn Casey on Friday morning.

Members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59 were on hand at Tourism Moose Jaw to lay a wreath at the impromptu memorial found the base of the Snowbirds Tutor jet display.

Capt. Jenn Casey – the public relations officer for the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron – was killed when the Snowbird jet piloted by Capt. Richard MacDougall suffered a malfunction on take-off and crashed into a residential area in Kamloops, B.C.. MacDougall survived and is recovering from his injuries in hospital.

The accident hit home a little harder for Legion Branch 59 vice president Sue Knox, who had prior experience with the team as a record keeper and later during her time in service.

“Because Moose Jaw is the home of the Snowbirds, we felt it was fitting to memorialize Capt. Casey and to provide something on behalf of the Legion in that respect,” Knox said.

“She made her home here for the last few years as part of the Snowbirds community, and even though the Legion is closed as part of the pandemic, we thought we would get as many as we could together on short notice and have a bit of memorial on behalf of the Legion membership.”

Legion members held an official ceremony, laying a wreath and playing Last Post and Reveille. Their tribute wasn’t the only one, as the number of flowers, wreaths and special memorial messages has grown exponentially in the week since the accident, with the City of Moose Jaw even watering the new flowers to keep them fresh.

“It’s beautiful and a really nice gesture,” Knox said.

The ceremony wrapped with members expressing their support for everyone involved.

“We certainly extend our best wishes to Capt. MacDougall and his family and hope for a speedy recovery on his behalf,” Knox said. “They’ll both be missed until he can get back in the saddle, and certainly Capt. Casey will be sorely missed by her comrades.”

North Shore Mountains – Now

War Memorial Committee – 1925

Peppi’s and The Fortune Cup Inn – 1970

14th Street and Marine Drive – 1940

The West Van Legion

Curling Canada announces cancellation of six 2021 championship event due to Covid-19 pandemic

Ontario to invest $83 million to support Royal Canadian Legion branches

Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion reopen for business

Majority of Canadian university sports postponed until winter 2021

Royal Canadian Legion honors fallen Snowbird

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