The City of Montreal sent the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212 in LaSalle a demand letter (“mise en demeure”) for $52,880.80 to cover property taxes for the 2013 and 2014 years. It was delivered to the bar at 4 p.m. last Friday, April 10 by Federal Express.
Somebody wants our land and they’re pushing the city to get it,” said Fred Jennings, who serves as president of the branch. “We have no choice but to pay it,” “We need to start crowdfunding or whatever.”
The total charge even includes a $45 fee from the city to pay for delivering the mise en demeure.
If the Legion doesn’t pay the total amount by Monday, April 20, Montreal has the right to put the property up for auction and use the proceeds to pay the bill. Jennings says his members will do all they can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
He says that the Legion has raised $264,000 for the LaSalle community through their poppy fund in the past decade. He’s counting on the community to donate now to help the Legion keep their property.
It’s not only our Legion,” he said. “Other Legions need help also. It’s a non-profit organization. Our only income is the bar. Legions in Ontario, and in Eastern and Western Canada get money from their municipal governments, but in Quebec, they’re not going to give the Royal Canadian Legion money.”
To help the Legion raise funds, drop a cheque or cash off at the bar at 7771 rue Bouvier. If you have time to help the Legion set up a crowdfunding campaign, you can call their bar at (514) 365-0595.
This story appeared today on page 8 of the City Edition of the Suburban.
