Legion celebrates 100 years with surge in memberships

The Royal Canadian Legion has experienced a surge in membership just in time for its centennial. “It’s quite a feat — not many organizations last for 100 years, and the [...]

Legion celebrates 100 years with surge in memberships Those 18 and older can join for free throughout 2026 To continue reading, please subscribe: Digital Subscription One year of digital access for only $205* - Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com - Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper - Access News Break, our award-winning app - Play interactive puzzles To continue reading, please subscribe: Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional $1 for the first 4 weeks* The Royal Canadian Legion has experienced a surge in membership just in time for its centennial.

“It’s quite a feat — not many organizations last for 100 years, and the Legion seems to have still managed to hang in there for 100 years,” said John Edwards at Legion 119 on McDermot Avenue. The Legion formed in Winnipeg in 1925 when a group of veterans met at the Marlborough Hotel to unify their advocacy organizations. On July 17, 1926, the Free Press reported the group had been incorporated through an act of Parliament as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, giving legal effect to the work the veterans had started.

The Legion says it has grown to roughly 300,000 members and 1,350 branches across the country. Edwards, 78, has been a member for 40 years and attends his local branch every Friday to participate in raffles that have meat and cash prizes. He said the camaraderie keeps him coming back.

“I have met a lot of friends at this branch and other branches in Manitoba,” he said. Since there are no Canadian veterans left from the First World War and many Second World vets have died, Edwards said the Legion plays an important role in keeping their stories alive. “We owe a lot to those who fought for the country, and even those who serve but never got into a war zone.

I think they’re underappreciated,” he said. Edwards’ father and uncle both served in the Second World War. His uncle died in the war, but his father survived and continued to serve for 37 years.

The McDermot Legion did not have a centennial celebration event because it is hosting Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival performances. Other branches, such as the Charleswood Legion, hosted events beginning Thursday and into the weekend. Edwards said he attends the Exchange District location because the St. Vital Legion near his house closed and was absorbed into the Osborne location.

“It was kind of sad to see a lot of them close,” said Edwards. Despite the closures, 100,000 new members have joined the Legion across Canada. For its 100th anniversary year, anyone 18 and older can sign up for free until the end of December.

Nujma Bond, spokesperson for the national headquarters, said the Legion has been promoting its work to remember the fallen, support veterans and better communities. “We’re ensuring Canadians know what the Legion really does and how they support communities,” she said. Changes in demographics or waning interest in a specific location, along with business decisions, can all lead to a branch closing down, said Bond.

She hopes the offer of free memberships will bring in people with fresh ideas who will help keep the organization going for another 100 years. Canada Post marked the anniversary by issuing a commemorative stamp featuring the Royal Canadian Legion’s banner with the dates 1926-2026 and the words “100 years.” The stamp was unveiled at Ottawa City Hall Thursday.

tiago.resko@freepress.mb.ca