B.C. vets say some dollar stores refuse to sell Remembrance poppies

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – One of two dollar stores in Kamloops, B.C., that at first refused to sell poppies on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion has reversed its position.

The president of the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in the area raised the complaints about Dollar Tree and Dollarama stores in Kamloops refusing to allow the sale of the poppies on the grounds that it was company policy.

Gord Marsh called the move inexcusable and an insult to veterans whose sacrifice has made Canada a great place to live and do business.

He points out the poppy campaign raises badly needed funds for veterans' rehabilitation and other programs.

While the Dollarama store has not backed down, Inga Kruse, the legion's B.C. and Yukon executive director, says Dollar Tree says it will now allow the sale of the poppies at its store.

Kruse says she hasn't been told if other dollar stores in the province have a policy of refusing to sell poppies.