The Royal Canadian Legion
Service Excellence Since 1926
The Legion Today
• Almost 300,000 members:
(80% Veterans & Families);
• Approx. 1,400 Branches:
(North America, Europe);
• 10 Commands and 3 International zones:
(Eastern and Western U.S., and Europe);
• Approx. 4,000 full & part-time employees; and
• No government funding for operations.
Our mission
To serve Veterans, which includes
serving military and RCMP
members and their families, to
promote Remembrance and to
serve our communities and our
country.
Comrade Tom Eagles,
Dominion President, The
Royal Canadian Legion
“You can go into this action feeling assured of this, and as the head of
the government I give you this assurance: That you need not fear that
the government and the country will fail to show just appreciation of
your service to the country and Empire in what you are about to do
and what you have already done.” (Part One)
The Right Sir Robert Borden, 1917
(Before the Battle of Vimy Ridge)
The Canadian Light Horse going into action at Vimy Ridge. April 1917, Vimy
Ridge, France.
(Photo: W.I. Castle/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives
Canada PA-001111)
The government and the country will consider it their first duty to see
that a proper appreciation of your effort and of your courage is
brought to the notice of people at home that no man, whether he goes
back or whether he remains in Flanders, will have just cause to
reproach the government for having broken faith with the men who
won and the men who died.” (Part Two)
The Right Sir Robert Borden, 1917
(Before the Battle of Vimy Ridge)
Bringing in wounded Canadian soldiers from the battlefield. April 1917, Vimy
Ridge, France.
(Photo: Library and Archives Canada PA-001125)
•
British Empire Services League: British and Commonwealth
Veterans Groups came in together in 1921 to speak with a unified
voice to deal with their respective governments;
•
“Unity Conference” 25 November 1925 in Winnipeg brought 15
Veterans Groups and several regimental associations together to
speak with a unified voice under a new Veterans’ organization
called : Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League.
•
Letters Patent (Charter) ~ 1926
• Act of Parliament ~ 1948
Serving Veterans
• More than 1,400 volunteer Service Officers and 23 professional
Command Service Officers help Veterans with disability claims or
related issues with VAC and the VRAB;
• Legislated mandate allows us access to service health records and
Departmental files to provide independent, comprehensive
representation; and
• All services are provided free of charge and Veterans do not have to
be a member of the Legion.
Serving Veterans
• VAC – WWII/Korean Veterans – 35,449, CAF – 83,872, RCMP –
11,005
• Survivors – 68,828
• Assisted more than 3,100 Veterans ~ 2014;
• Assisted more than 1,000 Homeless Veterans;
• $16.5M in Benevolent Funds (Poppy Fund) and Allied Benevolent
Funds ~ 2014;
• Housing in 140 sites / 7,000 units; and
• Long Term Care Outreach and Visitation Initiative. (Legion is
contracted by VAC to make 8,000 visits to Veterans in care
facilities across the country) ~ 2014.
Serving Veterans
Advocacy:
• The Legion advocates through the democratic voice of our
members from Coast to Coast to Coast;
• Veterans Allowance Act ~ 1928;
• Amend the Armistice Act to entrench November 11
as Remembrance Day ~ 1931;
• Veterans Land Act ~ 1943;
• Pension Act ~ 1971.
Serving Veterans
Advocacy (Continued):
• New Veterans Charter ~ 2006;
• Representation to Parliamentary and Senate Committees;
• Veterans Bill of Rights ~ 2007;
• Working with other not for profit groups concerned with Veterans
Health. (Ex. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ~ 2010); and
• Providing Advice to Government departments regarding benefits
and services. (Ex. Funeral and Burial Benefits ~ 2012);
Promoting Remembrance
• National Remembrance Day
Ceremony;
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
• National Memorial (Silver) Cross
Mother;
• Pilgrimage of Remembrance;
• Canadian War Museum: Legion Hall of
Remembrance; and
• Virtual Wall of Honour and
Remembrance.
National Memorial (Silver) Cross
Mother, Mrs. Sheila Anderson,
(2015-16)
Promoting Remembrance
Poppy Campaign:
• Poppy represents Canada’s pledge to
never forget ~ 1921;
• Almost 21.7 million Poppies distributed ~
2015; and
• $16.5 million in assistance to Veterans
locally, provincially and nationally ~
2014.
Lieutenant Colonel John
Alexander McCrae M.D.
Promoting Remembrance
Poppy Fund Grants:
• Assists Veterans and their families: (Ex. food, heating costs,
clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and
equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or
assistance);
• Supports Canadian Military Family Resource Centres;
• Supports bursaries and scholarships ~ 2014;
• Canadian Institute for Military & Veteran Health Research ~
Scholarship; and
• Donates $1 million in support of mental health research through
The Royal Ottawa Campaign for Mental Health in 2015.
Promoting Remembrance
Poster and Literary Contests:
• Over 100,000 young Canadians
participating annually;
• Senior winners are flown to Ottawa for
National Remembrance Day Ceremony
representing the youth of Canada.
Youth education:
• Teachers’ Guide and school visitations
that helps foster the traditions of
Remembrance for all Canadians.
John Henry Foster “Jack” Babcock (July 23,
1900 – February 18, 2010) was the last known
surviving Veteran of the Canadian Military to
have served in the First World War.
Serving Communities
• Supporting local charities;
• Major sponsor/supporter of cadet corps;
• Major sponsor/supporter of Scouts and Guides units;
• Sponsor/support branch/community youth programs; and
• National Youth Track and Field Championships:
- 2012 London Olympics 60% of athletes came through NYTF;
- Only pre-junior event of its kind held annually in Canada.
Serving Those Who Serve
• Veterans Transition Network;
• MFRC Programs & CAF
Appreciation Days;
• Nijmegen March;
• Operation Santa Claus & Canada
Day gifts for troops;
• Landstuhl Fisher House; and
• Soldier On programs.
• Assisting Veterans Transitioning to
their new normal.
This year’s package, entitled “A Taste of Home”
includes: East Coast Salt Water Taffy; Tim
Horton’s Coffee packages; Popcorn packages;
Maple suckers; Alberta beef jerky; Playing cards;
Legion pens; and Legion key chains.
Royal Commonwealth
Ex-Services League
British Empire Services League: “Helping Commonwealth
Veterans who fought for our freedom”~1921;
• Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa;
• United Advocacy;
• 111 Veterans, 16 Caribbean Countries, 109 Widows in 2014;
and
• More than $300K annually in Assistance.
The Royal Canadian Legion
Service Excellence Since 1926