Alberta's poppy campaign makes adjustments for COVID-19

As the annual poppy campaign nears, branches of the Royal Canadian Legion in Alberta are preparing to re-imagine tradition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to David Klug, a spokesperson with the Alberta Northwest Territories Command at the Royal Canadian Legion, the changes include fewer physical poppies and the introduction of the "digital poppy."

"Obviously, with COVID affecting every element of our lives, the poppy campaign is having to adapt and to change with the current times — and in respect with current health regulations and restrictions that are out there, depending on the community," Klug said.

Individual branches manage their own activities in regards to the poppy campaign, Klug said, but they will all be guided by expectations to meet public health guidelines.

As such, the availability of poppy boxes will vary across communities. There will likely be fewer of them, and your poppy will be handed to you.

Meanwhile, those who want to donate without risk can also contribute online, or in a text-to-donate system that the legion has set up for the province. In exchange, Klug said, donors will receive a digital poppy.

"It's an electronic file that you can put on your screen," he said.

"The move to a digital and online system is really to try and reach a broader audience because of the reduced numbers of the physical poppy box locations that we're going to provide this year."

Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani was honoured Wednesday as the recipient of the province's first poppy of 2020 in a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature.

For almost 20 years, the first poppy presentation has occurred prior to the official launch of the poppy campaign in Alberta.

"If there is a group of Canadians who understand how to adapt to any circumstance … it is our remarkable women and men in uniform," Lakhani said at the ceremony.

"Wearing a poppy is just one way for us to show them how much we appreciate their sacrifices and how much we value everything that they have given so that we are able to enjoy the rare gifts of peace, stability and freedom."

The Royal Canadian Legion's annual poppy campaign will officially begin on Oct. 30 and conclude on Nov. 11, Remembrance Day.