While legions may be dwindling, the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion Branch 292 in Victoria has stood the test of time, remaining a beacon of support and community for veterans, first responders and often three or four generations of families.
The branch is known to throw lively community events and offer a welcoming space but Bill Wilson, branch president, pointed out its role is also to fill integral system gaps that have left some veterans struggling to meet even the most basic of needs.
“Oftentimes when we’re dealing with veterans that are sleeping in their cars or are this close to not being able to feed themselves … it’s disheartening when you get a call from someone who has served for many years and they’re sometimes just not positioned well to compete in a highly competitive economic environment that we’re in now,” said Wilson. “Oftentimes you need very strong skillsets, and sometimes lots of education … They’re not prepared particularly well to compete and as a result, through no fault of their own, they’re often disadvantaged.”
Wilson noted it’s not an infrequent occurrence.
One way the legion supports veterans is by providing food at a reasonable cost. In 2022, Wilson said the branch produced around $230,000 worth of meals and netted less than $4,000 in return.
It also connects veterans with specialized agencies, often organizations the legion directly donates to. Each year, the branch supports charities that not only assist veterans but also ones that assist serving members of the military, such as the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (EMFRC).
“What you’re trying to do when helping a group like that is to reduce the risk of developing problems. You’re in it at the beginning,” Wilson said.
Jackie Carle, executive director of EMFRC, said the organization is so grateful to the branch, which donates around $2,000 every year. Currently, the money is supporting over 500 military members who are away from their homes for over five months.
“Those funds will go towards supporting military families who may be needing some extra support for respite child care, counselling services, support around their military member being away or maybe they’re new to the community and are looking for guidance and navigation.”
In order to serve its members, the legion has had to fight its own survival battles. In 2019, the branch faced an unexpected $100,000 property tax bill after a new assessment came in at more than $7 million, up from almost $4.3 million in 2018.
READ MORE: Last remaining Victoria legion faces $100,000 property tax bill
With unanimous support from Victoria council, the branch was granted $36,481 to cover the tax increase and has since been given a three-year tax exemption under B.C.’s Bill 28, which allows municipalities to grant tax exemption or tax reduction in perpetuity. Wilson said the branch is hoping to fall under perpetuity and have two more years to find out if that passes.
But, they’re not sitting around passively waiting. Since that time, Wilson said the branch has been proactive and put its energies into a new administration.
“There was a lot of work that needed to be done on the legion post covid and I guess a reluctance to or maybe a fear of investing in the place.
“Our energies were really focused on getting the financial house in order and getting some of the necessary upgrades completed and we’ve been able to do both.”
With almost 1,500 members and 11 employees, the branch has been staying active with dances, billiards, music bingo, live concerts, and being a home base for the Victoria Poppy Committee. Wilson said they are close-knit with the surrounding community, supporting the Burnside Gorge Community Association and offering their parking lot to the next-door Montessori School for drop-offs and pick-ups.
“A reasonable question would be what’s the future of legions?” asked Wilson. “Even in our legion, I know some people have the perception (it’s) a lot of older guys that come in and drink and drink and drink until they fall over but I can assure you that’s certainly not what happens here and the other legions that I’ve been to, it doesn’t happen there either,” he said. “What we offer is a friendly, safe environment and people love it.”
