The City of Ottawa has issued its first-ever permit for a vendor to set up a tent and sell T-shirts, magnets and pins on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill this summer.

The Ottawa branch of the Royal Canadian Legion operates the tent and sells merchandise that includes decals that read: "Support our Troops."

The blue tent is just a few metres from the entrance gate to Parliament Hill. It's hard to miss because there are no other vendors on this stretch of the street.

The city's special-events co-ordinator, Ainsley Shepherd, said the legion was granted a permit last year on a per-occasion basis. This year, it will be there all summer.

"We were thrilled about it, eh. We didn't think it would happen, but it has happened, and it's been great for the zone and our branches and for the charities," said Ray Desjardin, spokesman for the local branch of the legion.

Shepherd said the city would only give such a permit to a not-for-profit organization.

She said she's not aware of any other not-for-profit groups who've asked for the same opportunity.

If the city receives any requests, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis, she said.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW