What’s the Latest: 90-year-old veteran selling poppies says he was ‘harassed’ by Montreal metro security
A 90-year-old Canadian Forces veteran, Carl Andersen, encountered issues with security officers while selling poppies at Vendôme metro station in Montreal. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) security questioned his permission to solicit donations, but later indicated they would “tolerate” his presence after he stated he had been doing it for 20 years.
Carl Andersen, a veteran who has sold poppies at Vendôme metro station for 20 years, reported being questioned by security officers from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) regarding his permission to solicit donations. The STM stated that while Mr. Andersen can continue his efforts, he must adhere to traffic flow and civic conduct rules.
Carl Andersen, a 90-year-old veteran, reported that he was “harassed” by Société de transport de Montréal (STM) security guards while selling poppies at Vendôme metro station, a practice he has conducted for two decades. The STM clarified that while soliciting donations is allowed outside the paid zone, they instructed Andersen to comply with traffic flow and civic conduct rules, indicating that his presence would be “tolerated” as long as he did not actively solicit customers.
What remains unclear — It is unknown whether the Société de transport de Montréal’s stance on soliciting donations has officially changed or if further guidance will be issued regarding such activities in the metro.
90-year-old veteran alleges harassment by security while selling poppies in Montreal metro
A 90-year-old Canadian Forces veteran, Carl Andersen, has reported being “harassed” by security guards while selling poppies at Montreal’s Vendôme metro station. Andersen, who volunteers each November to raise funds for the Royal Canadian Legion, claimed that two security officers from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) questioned his right to sell poppies during a recent incident.
Andersen recounted his experience, stating, “I said, I’ve been doing it for 20 years, I’ve never had to ask permission. [The officer] said, ‘well, we’re trying to get rid of people asking for money in the subway.’” This incident marks the first time Andersen has faced such scrutiny in his two decades of collecting donations.
After discussing the matter with their supervisors, the officers indicated they would “tolerate” his presence. Andersen expressed discomfort with the language used, stating, “I felt a little harassed. The thing is, I didn’t like the word ‘tolerate,’ which meant that they could change that toleration at any moment.”
In response to the incident, STM spokesperson Amelie Regis clarified the agency’s policy: “If Mr. Andersen does not solicit customers, but rather waits for customers to come to him and it is considered a donation, there should not be a problem, as long as he complies with the other rules concerning traffic flow, civic conduct, etc.”
Despite the recent incident, Andersen has continued his volunteer work unhindered, with commuters reportedly happy to see him. He remains dedicated to his charitable efforts, stating, “There are veterans that are in real need, and for them, this is why we do it.” Andersen aims to continue his role supporting the Royal Canadian Legion until he turns 100.