90-year-old veteran selling poppies says he was ‘harassed’ by Montreal metro security

A 90-year-old Canadian Forces veteran, Carl Andersen, has been selling poppies at Montreal's Vendôme metro station for over two decades in order to raise money for the Royal Canadian Legion. Recently, two STM security officers approached Andersen and questioned his right to sell the poppies, claiming they were trying to remove individuals from the subway who were asking for money.

Andersen, who has been doing this for 20 years, stated he had never been asked for permission before. The officers told him they would only "tolerate" his presence, which Andersen found offensive, as it implied the tolerance could be revoked at any moment. After consulting with supervisors, the officers allowed him to continue his daily routine.

The STM affirmed that it is permissible for Andersen to solicit donations outside the paid zone, so long as he complies with other rules related to traffic flow and civic conduct. Since the incident, no further issues have arisen, and the people Andersen interacts with on his rounds remain appreciative of his presence.

Andersen, who joined the military at the age of 15 and served during the Korean War, later discovered he lied about his age. He was discharged honorably following this revelation. Andersen has a history of charity work, having completed 97 marathons and raising funds for various causes such as breast cancer research, the Terry Fox Foundation, and the War Amps. He hopes to continue his poppy-selling duties at Vendôme until he reaches the age of 100.