GALLERY: Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland helps open new legion building

Joined by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 members and other officials, Chrystia Freeland helped cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony for Branch 25’s new office and apartment building on Great Northern Road on Friday.

The nine-storey apartment building, which has 108-units, is the first of its kind for a Royal Canadian Legion Branch.

“I really hope that the amazing work you have done here will be an inspiration for legions across Canada to use the Legion Branch 25 model," said Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, during a ceremony held in the branch’s main meeting area. 

"This project is a perfect example of what Canada can do when we work together. This is an example of community activism.”

Following the demolition of Branch 25’s old building at 96 Great Northern Rd., the new legion office and apartment building was constructed on the same property with $32.1 million in federal funding through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund and built by SalDan Developments.

The property belongs to Legion Branch 25 while the apartment complex is jointly owned by Legion Branch 25 and Veterans Housing Inc., a group that includes Sam Biasucci, president of SalDan Developments.

Construction on the new building began in 2023. Tenants started moving into the apartment complex in the spring of 2024. The building and new Branch 25 office had a soft launch in June. Preference for occupancy of the units has been given to veterans, followed by legion members and the general public.

“This is a really important place for the Sault," Freeland said.

"The veterans here deserve a great place to live. I want to say to Legion Branch 25 that you really stepped up. You showed energy and creativity and initiative. This development is the first of its kind in Canada, providing a home for the legion and beautiful affordable homes in a great city." 

Freeland said Canadians owe a "great debt to the men and women in uniform and Canada's veterans." 

Before entering politics, Freeland was a student in Ukraine when the country was ruled by Moscow in the Soviet era.

“It makes you really recognize how lucky we are to be Canadian, how lucky we are to live in a democracy, how lucky we are to live in a place where each person’s voice matters, and the reason that we have that great privilege at the end of the day comes down to our men and women in uniform and it comes down to our veterans who served us, who stood up for our freedom and stood up for our democracy," she said.

As a high-ranking cabinet minister, Freeland monitors Russia’s war on Ukraine daily.

Of Ukrainian heritage, Freeland visited legion building residents Gerry and Amelia Deplonty during her visit. Amelia, like Freeland, is of Ukrainian descent. The two embraced and spoke of matters dear to Ukrainian people.

Pierre Breckenridge, president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, said: "Our comrades on land, on the sea and in the air laid down their lives for their sovereign and country," and their sacrifice is inspiring.

"Their sacrifice will ever inspire us to labour on to the end for those who survive and need our aid and assistance," Breckenridge said.

"May the country in which they live be worthy of the sacrifice they made. On the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force let us remember all the airmen and other servicemen along with their families that paid the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

Sault MP Terry Sheehan also attended Friday's ceremony, making a brief speech along with Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, Sault MPP Ross Romano, the Children of Shingwauk’s Shirley Horn, and SalDan Developments President Sam Biasucci.

The legion site is also the site of the former Wawanosh Residential School.

Friday's program included O Canada, a land recognition, opening prayers from Reverend Phil Miller and Shirley Horn, playing of The Last Post followed by a moment of silence, the dedication of several rooms within the building to notable local military figures, a benediction, and playing of God Save The King.