Wasaga Beach to celebrate opening of New Royal Canadian Legion Branch
For decades, the Town of Wasaga Beach has been left without its Royal Canadian Legion Branch, but that's all set to change.
This weekend, the Town will celebrate the launch of its new branch, the first to be created in Ontario in 19 years.
The idea was that of retired military veteran Marc Séguin, who moved to Wasaga Beach in 2012 while posted at CFB Borden.
Séguin retired in 2015 and thought it strange that a town the size of Wasaga Beach had no legion, so he decided to put out feelers online, making it his mission over the last few years.
"Last year after the mayor was elected, I came, I approached him and said, 'I don't want to bother you right now. I know your hands are full, but I will approach you after Remembrance Day to talk to you about a legion in the community,'" Séguin said. "Council was supportive, the mayor was extremely supportive, and then we started the process from there."
After much paperwork, Wasaga Beach Royal Canadian Legion Branch 645 was created.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Discussions are still underway with the Town to determine a location, Séguin said, but according to the Town's mayor, it's only a matter of time.
"Wasaga Beach was originally built and founded because of the troops coming from Base Borden," said Mayor Brian Smith. "That's where it all started. "There's a lot of history here with the military in Wasaga Beach, so it's a natural fit."
Séguin's vision for the new branch focuses on youth. He intends to attract younger veterans and their families into the fold, which he feels has been a challenge for the Royal Canadian Legion.
"It is gratifying to know that local veterans and community members understand the Legion's mission and want to be part of it, and also want to help us modernize and offer new and innovative ways to serve our Veterans, their families and communities," reads a statement from Bruce Julian, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion. "On behalf of Dominion Command, I wish the new Wasaga Beach branch great success."
On Sunday, the new Wasaga Beach Legion and the Town will hold a celebration for the community to attend.
Séguin added that he hopes to secure and open a location by June.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5539352.1628465336!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: Wildfire moving 'faster than expected' toward townsite
Vehicles and heavy equipment have been seen leaving Jasper National Park throughout Wednesday afternoon.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Biden says he ended re-election bid to unite party
Insisting that 'the defence of democracy is more important than any title,' U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday explained in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.