According to Global News Montreal, Carl Andersen, a 90-year-old Canadian Forces veteran, has sold poppies at Vendôme station on the Montreal Metro for two decades. He raises money for the Royal Canadian Legion during his early November mornings.
Questions from security
Andersen told Global News that last week two security officers from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) asked whether he had permission to sell poppies at Vendôme. He said he had never been asked for permission before and felt harassed. After consulting their supervisors, the officers told him they would "tolerate" his presence, a word he said worried him because it could change at any time.
What the STM says
The STM told Global News that it is permitted to solicit donations outside the paid zone. In an emailed statement, spokesperson Amelie Regis said that if Andersen does not solicit customers and instead waits for people to come to him, and this is considered a donation, there should be no problem, as long as he follows other rules on traffic flow and civic conduct.
Current situation
According to Global News staff, Andersen has had no further trouble since the encounter. People buying poppies at Vendôme appeared happy to see him, and some buy from him every year. Andersen said he hopes to keep volunteering for the Legion at Vendôme until he is at least 100.
Background
Andersen says he has completed 97 marathons and has run many fundraising races for breast cancer research, the Terry Fox Foundation and the War Amps. He estimates his charity running has raised close to a million dollars.