In north-end Halifax, members of the Royal Canadian Legion at Vimy Branch 27 have unfortunately lost their battle to keep the nearly century-old branch operational. The branch was officially closed on Friday evening following discussions with Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command representatives, who oversee all legion branches in the province.
Gwen Hayden, the branch’s secretary, expressed the emotional toll felt by members as they were informed of the closure and saw the doors shut behind them. Despite presenting a detailed business plan to Command officials in an effort to sustain the branch, it was deemed financially unviable following a previous meeting in December.
The closure of the Vimy branch, which held significant historical and community value for veterans, was described by Hayden as a heartbreaking loss. Executive director Carrie Hogan of Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command highlighted the branch’s longstanding financial struggles, largely attributed to high overhead costs from renting their own space.
Hogan clarified that the financial challenges faced by the branch were not directly linked to the loss of its lottery license due to a former vice-president misappropriating funds from Chase the Ace events. The business plan proposed by the Vimy branch’s leadership came too late to address the underlying issues, according to Hogan.
Approximately 150 members had renewed their memberships for the branch in 2026, and they have been offered the option to transfer their memberships to other legion branches. Hogan expressed gratitude towards the members for their efforts to sustain the branch and their dedication to supporting veterans and the community.
The closure of the Vimy Branch 27 marks a somber event within the Royal Canadian Legion community, with Hogan emphasizing the disappointment associated with such closures.