VICTORIA -- A retail chain has stepped forward with an offer to cover the costs of Remembrance Day in Victoria, hours before city council was scheduled to debate funding for the annual ceremony.

In a news release, London Drugs says it is prepared to fund the commemoration for the next few years.

City council was scheduled to debate funding for Remembrance Day at a meeting Thursday night.

Last week, a council committee voted to approach the Defence Department and Veterans Affairs Canada about helping with policing costs for Remembrance Day events.

Coun. Ben Isitt initiated the request, saying the Canadian Forces budget is in the billions of dollars and should help the city defray some costs associated with the event.

Coun. Laurel Collins initially backed the committee's decision but later changed her mind, adding that holding the vote on the same day as commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion was wrong.

Mayor Lisa Helps said she expected the idea to be defeated by city council.