Lights Now Off Until After Remembrance Day

By Robert Thomas

Weather and mechanical problems are being cited as the reasons why the City's Christmas lights were just turned off over a week after they were suppose to ahead of Remembrance Day.

In an email response to an enquiry by MJ Independent the City responded the lights will be out as of today until after Remembrance Day.

“Initially, all of our crew resources were allocated to assisting with our winter storm response, and then our bucket truck was found in need of repair. It’s now been fixed and as of this morning, most of the lights were unplugged and the rest will be later this afternoon,” the City wrote in an email.

The lights were originally turned on for three days for the annual Christmas In October business promotion after consultation with local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

For some people - including many veterans and their families - they would like to see the Christmas kick off after Remembrance Day on November 11th in respect and remembrance to Canada's veterans.

MJ Independent was reached by three veterans’ families to ask why the City's lights were still on so we asked City Hall.

At present the local Legion, like all others in the country, are busy selling poppies and wreaths as a sign of remembrance and to fill the Poppy Fund.

The Poppy Fund is used for such things as buying candy and other conveniences for veterans in hospitals or nursing homes amongst other items to make their stays easier.