Following a successful 50^th Dominion Convention, the Legion begins an exciting new chapter with a newly elected Dominion Executive and a renewed commitment to serving Canada’s Veterans, strengthening our communities and building the Legion of tomorrow. With Legion Week underway and the Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day just around the corner, it’s a busy and important time for Branches across the country.

Delegates from across Canada came together in Winnipeg in late August for the Legion’s 50^th Dominion Convention – setting priorities for the future and electing a new Dominion Executive to help lead the organization forward. Sharon McKeown from Milton, Ontario is our new Dominion President, succeeding Berkley Lawrence. She believes strengthening our Branches – the foundation of the organization where Veterans of every age and era can find comradeship, where communities gather, where Remembrance is kept alive and Canadians see our Legions in action – must be a priority of each level of Command.

Legion Week is our opportunity to show Canadians what the Legion means to Veterans, their families and our communities. Open your doors. Invite prospective members. Reconnect with current members. Showcase your volunteers and the work your Branch does locally. Every conversation and connection can help build a stronger Legion for the future. Access Legion Week resources at the link below.

Hosting or supporting a Remembrance Day ceremony? Add it to the national Ceremony Locator by early October. National advertising will direct Canadians to Legion.ca/ceremony to find events in their communities. Update last year’s listing or create a new one now to make sure people can find yours.

The Dominion Executive Council has approved a standardized annual period for the National Poppy Campaign.

Beginning this year, the National Poppy Campaign will run annually from October 24 through November 11. October 24 is simply the earliest date activities can begin. Branches still have the flexibility to schedule local activities and Poppy Box distribution according to their needs and resources.

Questions? Contact your Provincial Command Poppy and Remembrance Chair or email remember@legion.ca

National renewal communications to Centenary members begin this month. Emails, social media and member communications will encourage renewal and highlight membership benefits and the Legion 100 Win Big Giveaway promotion. Branches can help by reaching out to Centenary members locally and encouraging them to renew. Please keep renewals current in the Member Services database so members who have already renewed don’t continue receiving reminders.

Anyone who wishes to join and pay now for the 2027 membership year must first be processed as a 2026 member under the Free Centenary Membership offer. The Branch can then immediately renew the member for 2027 and process their 2027 membership payment.

Members who join under the Free Centenary Membership offer and renew for 2027 by December 19, 2026, will also be automatically entered into the Ford F-150 Truck Draw, with the winner announced in January 2027.

Starting in January 2027, new members can register and pay for the 2027 membership year through the Member Services Website or at their Branch.

2027 membership renewal stickers were sent to Branches in mid-August for members who had renewed for 2026 by July 22. Haven’t received your stickers? Please contact Member Services.

Creating a respectful, inclusive and welcoming environment helps strengthen the Legion and support a greater sense of belonging for all members.

To support this, The Royal Canadian Legion’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Awareness Program is now available on the Member Services Website, along with supporting resources and the EDI Learning Moment video for members to access and explore.

Commands and Branches are encouraged to participate in EDI learning and awareness activities on a voluntary basis. In September, Provincial Command Senior Elected Officers and Provincial Command EDI Representatives will take part in an EDI Foundations Virtual Session, coordinated through Provincial Commands.

The EDI Awareness Program supports the Legion’s ongoing commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive and welcoming environment. Participation encourages greater awareness, understanding and a sense of belonging among all members.

Keep an eye on your change! The Royal Canadian Mint’s new 2026 $2 commemorative circulation coin honours 100 years of the Legion, Canadians who have dedicated their lives to national service and our enduring pledge: Memoriam Eorum Retinebimus – We Will Remember Them.

The Legion National Foundation is accepting applications from Legion members to represent their Provincial Command and the Legion on the 2027 Pilgrimage of Remembrance, July 3-17, 2027. Selected members will experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey visiting the First and Second World War battlegrounds, exploring museums, commemorations and final resting places of soldiers who fought in and around France and Belgium. Let your Branch members know about this great program. See the attached memo for details.

Applications are completed online and must be received before 31 October 2026 for consideration.

The National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program connects schools and community groups with currently serving Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans during Veterans’ Week. Encourage schools and community partners in your area to request a speaker and help Canadians learn more about service, sacrifice and Remembrance.

United Nations Day on October 24 marks the anniversary of the UN Charter entering into force in 1945 and recognizes the UN’s commitment to peace, security, and international cooperation, values reflected in the service of Canadian Veterans and peacekeepers.

Download the 2026 calendar and start planning the dates and activities your Branch will promote, commemorate, celebrate or raise awareness of over the coming year.

As we continue celebrating the Legion’s Centenary, thank you to Branches across the country for marking the July 17 anniversary in their communities. Branch ceremonies, activities and local media coverage helped share the Legion’s history, highlight the work Branches do today and educate Canadians about our ongoing service to Veterans and communities.

You can also watch the national Centenary ceremony, courtesy of CPAC.

National Legion Week will take place September 20–26, 2026.

This year’s National Legion Week is an especially meaningful opportunity to welcome visitors, showcase the work your Branch does in the community and celebrate the Legion’s Centenary.

National Legion Week recognizes the important role Branches play in our shared mission to serve and support Veterans, promote Remembrance and contribute to communities. It is also an opportunity to attract new members and volunteers.

The 2026 tip sheet and promotional graphics are now available:

Branches hosting or supporting a Remembrance Day ceremony are encouraged to add their event to the Legion.ca Remembrance Day Ceremony Locator by early October.

You can use last year’s login credentials to update your ceremony information or create a new listing.

Legion National Headquarters extensively promotes Remembrance Day and encourages Canadians to attend a ceremony in their community. National public service announcements direct the public to Legion.ca/ceremony to find a local event.

Submit your ceremony details early to ensure your event is included.

The Dominion Executive Council has approved a standardized annual period for the National Poppy Campaign.

Beginning in 2026, the campaign will run each year from October 24 through November 11.

Previously, the campaign began on the last Friday in October and varied from 12 to 18 days. Consistent annual dates will provide greater certainty and reduce the impact that weekends, business hours and local circumstances can have during a shorter campaign.

For all members renewed for 2026 by July 22, 2026, Branches will receive their 2027 renewal stickers by mail beginning in mid-August.

Here are some ways Branches can continue to support membership growth:

Please mail your completed Don’t Forget to Remember booklet using the return packaging provided on or before August 21.

Returning your booklet by the deadline will help ensure your community’s messages can be included in the national commemorative murals.

Thank you for helping make this national Centenary initiative a meaningful act of collective Remembrance across Canada.

Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the official incorporation of The Royal Canadian Legion.

Since July 1926, the Legion has played an important role in supporting Canada’s Veterans and their families, serving communities and commemorating the service and sacrifice of all who have served.

The stamp also recognizes the Legion’s network of Branches, which provide spaces where Veterans, their families and community members can gather for support, activities and connection.

The commemorative stamps are now available for purchase.

The Dominion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee will launch the Legion’s EDI Awareness Program in the coming weeks.

The voluntary program supports the Legion’s ongoing commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive and welcoming culture and encourages greater awareness, understanding and belonging among members.

The program will be introduced in stages:

Additional information will be shared as the program becomes available. Branches with questions should contact their Provincial Command.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s 50^th Dominion Convention will take place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from August 22 to 26, 2026, as we celebrate 100 years of service to Canada.

During Convention, Delegates will elect seven Senior Elected Officers to the Dominion Executive Council: the Dominion President, First Vice-President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Chair. Those elected will serve until the conclusion of the next Dominion Convention.

Candidate biographies are available online.

September 17 marks the 20^th anniversary of the conclusion of Operation Medusa, a major Canadian-led combat operation conducted in Afghanistan in September 2006.

Branches may wish to recognize the anniversary and learn more about the service and sacrifices of Canadians who served in Afghanistan.

Download the 2026 calendar and start planning the dates and activities your Branch will promote, commemorate, celebrate or raise awareness of over the coming year.

Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other Members to keep them up-to-date on important updates and information.

All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services website.