Formed in 1926, the Legion is a democratic, non-partisan, membership based organization who shapes our policies and direction in a democratic manner. With about 300,000 members in over 1400 branches, the Legion has a national reach across this vast country and with branches in the United States, Europe and Mexico. The Legion has an established and identifiable membership and is accountable to Legion members in good standing through our democratic process, By-Laws and Provincial and Dominion Conventions. Legion membership is open to any Canadian citizen or citizen of an Allied nation over the age of 18. There are four main categories of membership:
Ordinary Membership: Includes still serving and retired military, reservists, RCMP, Police Officers, Canadian Coast Guard, and others listed in the General By-Laws. Associate Membership: The parent, spouse, widow/er, child, grandchild, sibling, niece/nephew of a person who is/was eligible for Ordinary membership. Affiliate Voting Member: Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation who supports the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion. Affiliate Non-Voting: Non-Canadian citizen or a non-Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation and support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion. Almost 1/3 of our members are Veterans (Ordinary and Life categories). While the majority of our members (Associates) are civilians, it’s important to note that these individuals are the spouses, the children, and the grandchildren of Veterans. They have lived with Veterans and are impacted by the care our Veterans receive. They are intimately connected to Veterans and the issues affecting them. Legion members care deeply about supporting the men and women who serve this country and want to make a difference. They give over 1.5 million volunteer hours every year and support Legion activities financially. Without Legion volunteers the tremendous programs and services provided to our Veterans and their families in communities across this country would disappear. We are proud and honoured by the support and work our members do for all Veterans, and their votes are in support of our Veterans and their families. It is through our membership that we are able to do the great work we do across Canada, and it was Legion Veterans who voted to open membership to their spouses, their brothers, sisters and family members and to grow the organization. As our WWI Veterans passed away, and our WWII and Korean Veterans pass away, there are not as many Veterans available to take on the essential roles they contributed to the Legion. We welcome all Canadians to join and stand beside our Veterans in the Legion and continue to provide the supports our Veterans of yesterday and today need. We, of course, strongly encourage Canada’s serving and retired military and RCMP to join the Legion, get involved in their local branches, take on leadership roles, and help shape the Legion in their communities and across the country. Through their membership they can help advocate for better care and ensure the Legion meets the needs of both our older Veterans and modern day Veterans. Legion volunteers, whether they have served or not, assist Veterans and their families, raise funds to support programs, and volunteer countless hours to provide essential services within their communities. If there was no Legion in Canada, countless cities, towns and villages would lose the most iconic cornerstone of their community; a place where people come to support their community, support their families, and support the military – that place is a Legion branch.
