Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 19/01) - The city's legionnaires are unhappy with plans to hold a city trade show on Remembrance Day.

The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, however, said last week that no other days are available for the second annual event. Besides, said executive director Ellie Sasseville, the show won't open until noon out of respect for veterans.

The Legion's president said the trade show date suggests veterans are either being forgotten or shown a lack of respect.

"We do not agree that businesses should continue to operate on Nov. 11, and that events planned for that day take away from the intended day of remembrance," Randall Horne said in a prepared statement.

"Unfortunately, it appears that we have forgotten the sacrifices of our veterans during and after the world wars."

But Sasseville said Nov. 10 and 11 are the only available days at the Explorer Hotel, which is the only facility with enough space.

"It wasn't a planned thing, to do this on Remembrance Day," she said.

"There's no other space large enough between now and December that's available to hold the show. We did try for other locations. If we could have got a different location on another date then we would have done it."

Sasseville said the chamber has taken steps to ensure that Remembrance Day does not get lost in the shuffle, by making note of the noon start in the show's brochure and offering the Legion the opportunity to sell poppies there.

Booth space is being set aside for the Legion, she added.

"The trade show, like the Remembrance Day ceremony, is also a family event. You can take in Remembrance Day ceremonies until noon, make your way to the trade show and still enjoy the rest of the day off with your family," Sasseville said.

Legion executives met Friday to discuss the trade show dates. Members plan to send a letter to the chamber. The branch has about 400 members, but only a few veterans remain in Yellowknife.

There is no law stopping business from taking place Nov. 11. Department stores such as Walmart are open Remembrance Day.